United States
If she were still in the United States, 11-year-old Beth Melton would be entering seventh grade at a California middle school this fall. Instead, she'll be in "Year 7" at a secondary "high school" in England. The following are excerpts from the journal Beth began in July. These entries describe Beth's first week of school.
From Beth's Journal (September 4-8, 2000)September 4
I can't believe it's the fourth already! In two days, I'll start school. I'm kind of nervous. My new school is not as big as my old school – there aren't as many people. But my new school is three stories tall! It's one big brick building. At home, most schools are one story and have many different buildings. I just know I'll get lost! When I took my school tour a few days ago, they told me I'll remember the school wings by the stairs: the wooden stairs, the blue stairs, the stone stairs. Anyway, since Year 7 is the first year in high school, all the other girls my age will get lost, too! The headteacher of my school told me that girls from 35 different primary schools will be coming here! She told me that other students have come from other countries, too, so I'm not too worried.
I'm glad that I've already met a few girls my age. Helen lives just a few blocks away. She's nice. I think she's even in my form (a form is a class). My form is 7A. I also met Jessica. She was quiet, but I think when I get to know her, she won't be!
I wonder what "Religious Education" will be like? It's one of my classes. I'll be learning German, too! I've always wanted to learn French, but German will be fun. I'm going to play flute in Band.
September 6I'm just back home from my first day of school. I don't know what to think of my school. The girls sort of act differently. I went to my "registration" class at 9 a.m. That's where your form tutor (like a homeroom teacher in the States) takes roll and reads announcements and things. When Mr. Philpott, my form tutor, entered, all the girls stood. He said, "Good morning, class." All the girls answered, "Good morning, Mr. Philpott!" Then he took roll. When he called a name, the girl said, "Here, sir." I felt kind of dumb, and totally American, saying "Here, sir" after all those British accents!
At noon, we went to lunch. We had 1 1/2 hours! I was bored, bored, bored! But usually our lunches will be 1 hour. Even that seems long to me! At my old school we had 40 minutes. At 1:30 p.m., we were led by a prefect to our next classroom. A prefect is an older student who helps younger students and "keeps the school running smoothly," as it says in the school brochure. Anyway, the class was English. I really liked the room, and I always like English! My last class was geography. So far, it's really easy, but it'll probably get harder. Tomorrow, I have "maths." I can't wait for drama! All around, my new school is an okay school.
September 8I've just finished my first week of school. I really like it! It's just gotten better since my first day. I think I'm starting to know my way around the school.
Our school schedule is different in England: we have a Week A and a Week B. Week A has one schedule for classes, and Week B has another. Homework is different in England, too. We have a schedule of what days you get homework from each subject. For example, I have English three times in Week A, but only get homework two times.
My first art class was really fun! Mrs. Webb told us we had five minutes to sketch the person seated across from us. I love drawing portraits! Art homework is drawing a self-portrait. I like that kind of homework! My German teacher is really from Germany! She started the first lesson by going around asking, "Who are you?" in German! We had no idea what she was saying. Then she told us in English how to say, "I am..." in German. We spent the whole lesson carrying on a conversation that went like this: "Hello. Who are you? I am..." in German!
I've met lots of girls. Gillian is really nice. She always says to me, "All right, Bethy?" In music, a girl asked me if I wore a school uniform in California. When I said no, she looked amazed and said, "Not at all?" When I replied no again, she said, "Oh my gosh, you are so lucky!"
On Thursday, I set out to find the library. I found it, and it's great! I spend all my lunch there. Backpacks aren't allowed in the library, so I stuff it in my locker. It's cool having a locker! I have my own key.
Well, that's about it for my first week of school! I think I'll
really like this school year.
Beth's prior journal entries
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