Proof of the pudding

Term is whizzing along – we have just finished Week 4 (of twelve). In algebra we have finished polynomials, and are now learning about the properties of rational exponents. Those with poor knowledge of their times tables are being exposed…. Last weekend Lesley supported the Titchie Water Day. All the primary school children were split…

After a trip to Europe visiting family and friends over the Christmas holiday, we are back at RVA and already well into the new term. My Algebra 2 classes are wrestling with polynomial long division and the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra. Brains are aching, but I have slowed the pace a bit to allow more…

After thirteen weeks of teaching, we have reached the end of Term 1! The last week has been relatively light, since all the teaching for this term is finished. There were a couple of days set as for revision, and then the end-of-term exams. Marking those was a big job, but it was lovely to…

One of the particularly rewarding things about being at RVA (or indeed any school) is what goes on outside the classroom. Important though Algebra is, even I wouldn’t claim it is the be all and end all of life. And the last week or so has seen several things going on which enhanced the life…

After my rather dismal performance in the 5 km race held at the school recently, I lost some faith in my running ability. When faced with what I considered a failure, what to do? Give up? Or double down? I decided to give myself a new challenge: I entered the 5 km race being organised…

One of the ways which Lesley and I help around the school is to provide dorm cover for the Titchie Boys’ Dorm. This is a group of nine 8 to 11 year olds, who are boarding at the school whilst their parents are working elsewhere in Africa. Each dorm has a pair of Dorm Parents,…

Lesley has returned to Germany to meet our new grandson, Miles, and provide some support for his parents, Tim and Elli. She will also spend some time in the UK visiting Alice, Chris and Everlee. I will return to Europe for the Christmas holidays, and then we will both come back to RVA at the…

We have made it to half-term (or mid-term, as they call it here). Six weeks of teaching done, and now we have a few days break. On Wednesday this week, all my classes had a test on Unit 2 of the curriculum. Thursday was a compressed timetable before the students leave campus, and not the…

As a teacher, I spend a lot of time in my classroom. I am fortunate that all my lessons are in the same room, and I don’t have to share it with any other teachers. The classroom was previously used for Computer Science, so has large desks connected by wooden platforms which were used to…

Last weekend Lesley was busy helping with the Titchie Field Day (a sports day for the primary/elementary school). Parents of some the youngest pupils (up to Year 6) were visiting the school for the weekend, and she was helping organise egg-and-spoon races, upholding proper primary school traditions. On the same day we were invited by…