h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi!

Welcome to H2G2!!!

I'm an ACE. I'm one of the many wonderful volunteers here on H2G2 who are around to help newcomers such as yourself!

Your Personal Space is like your navigational tool in here. It's a way for people to find out who you are, and a way for them to communicate with you.

You've got your tool bar on the top, (or on the left if you're Classic Goo or Brunel inclined - other skin types) which has links to pretty much everywhere - and help you to go anywhere!

A few sites you might want to check out:

A572979 - The H2G2 Post - our very own paper!!!

The Front Page - great for finding out what's going on - just click on the H2G2 icon on any page

A719840 - This is a site that was made by a friend of mine, Feisor, to help newbies such as yourself around.

A155909 - The Smiley Page which has the complete list of smileys which you can put on your page, or in your conversations (if you put your mouse on the smiley, it'll show you what it represents)

If you have any questions, feel free to ask - just hit the reply button. if you want to know about the person that's talking to you, just click on their name above their message, and you'll be instantly transported to their space!

Now why would we be put off by the fact that you're a drama teacher? I loved drama in high school (and primary school too, come to think of it). So how you going? Well I hope...it's a great place, this community, and i'm sure you'll fit in wonderfully!!

Hope to hear from you soon!

Shrillian

Hello Shrillian,

Thanks for the excellent advice and links. I've just had a great day at school and i have time to spare so I'll be looking around, thanks!

The drama teacher thing is just self deprecation really, but I do get some odd or confused looks when I meet Non-teachers and they ask me what subject i teach! I spend an awful lot of time explaining the value of what I do to people who don't seem to see the point....

Aaahh....you should explain to these people that it is people like you who teach them the correct way to explain feelings through body language - like the faces they are pulling at you at that moment!

I agree though. I think drama teachers are highly underrated.

So where abouts are you from Simon? I'm from Sydney, Australia. (you can get my info from my personal space - just click on my name and you'll be transported there). Have you figured out how to make your researcher number into 42 yet? Supposedly there's a way to make every number add up to 42. Although how some of them come up with it is quite interesting!!! Some people have exponentials, logs, and other scary mathematical formulae!!!

Although my friend Linus is unable to figure his out....it has about 4 0's in it. Quite a conundrum...

How are you enjoying the site?? Be warned...it can get quite addictive...

hello again!

Thanks for the reply. i'm from a town called Poole in Dorset (England) Its by the sea, and we have a huge harbour - second only to Sydneys I think. Its a lovely place to live.

I haven't even attempted to do the 42 thing! I'm rubbish at maths.

Any way I've got to finish writing my year 11 reports - no rest for the wicked ( or a teacher for that matter! )

Simon.

I"m sure that any child would say that teachers are the epitomy of all evil....

Sorry....my own high school flashback then..

Okay, to post smileys...go to A155909 which is the smiley page. There you will find a complete listing of smileys that you can use in your postings.

You can't use them in your intro, unless you are using Guide-ML, but you can use them in all conversations. If there's a smiley you particularly want but is not there, start petitioning!!! I know i did for the smiley...

If you want to know what smiley someone has used, just run your mouse over it!!!

So have you been lenient with your students, or are you a strict teacher?

I think there's a 42 calculator around here somewhere - the last time i looked for it, it had been removed....

How are you at limericks?

I hope you got my last message. I have been doing some very hectis stuff recently, so no time for this. I have to hit a lot of targets in my teaching as I'm brand new at the game.

So, limericks! Tell me more...

Which last message? I was quite surprised when I got this in my conversation list - the last posting was in Jan! Ahhh...no rest for the wicked. It's understandable that you do not have enough time. Uni has just started back up here, and I don't know how I'm going to fit in all the studying () I have to do with my addiction for h2g2!!! Limericks! If you like limericks, you should join in on the "One line at a time" limericks page! It's fun. The things that get made up there...but only one warning - Beware the backlog!!! When I first arrived at that page, I thought I would look at some old ones...bad mistake. Have a look around...it's no problem if you're not good at them (goodness knows, I'm not!) but it's still fun to try!!! http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/F28000?thread=100719 That will take you to the first of the posts. Just click on the latest green/red (dependant on alabaster or goo) ball on the right of the page to get to the latest post (I'm sure you probably know that by now)... So what sort of targets have you set for yourself? Are you going to do a production for this year?

Heloo

I'll have a look at those limericks, ta.

Targets...... well, new teachers in Britain are the most tested teachers in the world, our bloody government are mad on making us jump through hoops to prove ourselves. In my training year I had to meet almost a hundred different criteria, set by three different government departments!!!!

This is my probation year so I have to set and reach a bunch of targets to prove my enthusiasm hasn't fizzled in the glare of full on teaching.
Some of them are simple, like getting a particular A level class through a big assessment. Some are a pain, like having to write a scheme of work to 'engage' a class of 'special' - e.g. 'thick and completely mental' year nines in Drama, and for some reason, history.
I'm working my arse off! I must be doing around 60 plus hours a week with all the planning and paperwork I have to do...

But it's still a great job, honest!

Talking of productions, I'm doing four - 'Blood Brothers' by Willy Russell, 'Blue remembered hills' by Dennis Potter, 'Our countrys good' by Timberlake Wertenbaker (yes that is her name!)which is about the first convicts to land in Australia, And lastly, 'Vinegar Tom' by Caryl Churchill.

Phew!

Oh my!!

That sounds like a lot. You poor thing!!!

Heh heh heh ....nice to see that you're still enthusiastic about it all...in a way...

Timberlake Wertenbaker. That's a great name.

you seem to have a lot on your plate - forget the targets, but just the productions! My goodness....how are you going to fit it all in? You need someone to give you head and shoulder massages every night!!! How do you make time for a relationship?

my head aches just thinking about all your work. I've got a lot to do too. I have 4 assesments due next week along with 2 presentations, and a film script.

You still alive out there? Or are you just as swamped with work as I am?

Sorry, Yes utterly swamped. There are times when I really don't like this job. Its a bit strange for a man who only wants a quiet life, to get himself involved in one of the most sressful jobs there is!! Jesus!

Yes, it is hard to keep a relationship going as it should be. My wife is an art teacher, so we are both rushed off our feet. Most of what we talk about is teaching! BUT we get the holidays off together, which is a massive perk.

I'm finding it hard because this is my first year so I'm doing everything for the first time - lots of planning, and yes, meeting those targets! And of course, doing everything for the first time means you make the odd mistake which I beat myself up about more than I should - a perfectionist Scorpio me.

You have no Idea how much I am looking forward to the Easter holidays (two weeks!) I am sick of the kids too, the lazy, moody bastards! (absence makes the heart grow fonder!)

I hope you are managing to keep on top of the work you have. As I said before, I have studied a lot in the areas you are doing, so if you want to exchange some views, or get another opinion about anything then it would be a refreshing change, and apleasure to help.

Heh heh heh....yes, becoming a teacher when all you want is serenity......not the obvious choice!

It would be very helpful with the holidays though. At least both of you are in the same field of work...in regards to being able to help each other with student development/management issues...share your experiences!

Ahhh...if we didn't make mistakes, how boring would life be? Remember Monty Python..... Always look on the bright side of life....

Heh heh heh - I'm sure that most of the lecturers/tutors in my faculty would agree with you - "thank goodness for the Easter break!"
Although I'm dreading it - too much work to have to do in it!!! NOOOO!!!!

I will take you up on your offer for help later on!!! At the moment, just trying to get my research done for my other assignments coming up. I'm actually organised! This is amazing...none of my friends can believe it - I'm continually getting comments from them saying "you handed it in on time? Are you alright? Who are you, and what have you done to my friend?"....