Teachers like Peter Rippington go the extra mile for pupils
I didn't produce a blog last week as I wanted to write about the value of school trips, but the awful coach crash in France meant I felt everything was too raw writes Professor Kit Field of the University of Wolverhampton.
I didn't produce a blog last week as I wanted to write about the value of school trips, but the awful coach crash in France meant I felt everything was too raw writes Professor Kit Field of the University of Wolverhampton.
I am so saddened by the tragic death of the mathematics teacher, Mr Rippington and, also, two of my colleagues have partners who were part of that school trip.
I have to say, having followed the news, what incredible strength and dignity Mr Rippington's wife and children have shown as well as all the staff and children of Alvechurch Middle School.
Nobody could fail to be moved by the tributes given to Mr Rippington – mostly saying what a committed and caring teacher he was. Indeed, being a part of that trip and the many, many others showed his commitment to the vocation of teaching.
For Mr Rippington, teaching was more than a job. As his very brave daughter pointed out, he gave his life to the children and the school.
As a former modern foreign languages teacher I organised many school trips and exchanges abroad, and saw first-hand how much children got out of these experiences.
For me, they are a crucial part of education. Trips abroad provide so much – for many children the first period of time spent away from parents.
Clearly learning to be independent is part of growing up. Going abroad reveals different cultures and life styles. A period in another country offers the opportunity to practise and develop foreign language skills. For many it introduces young people to new friends, which may last a life time.
For teachers, trips enable them to build different and meaningful relationships with pupils and colleagues. Being part of a trip is incredibly hard work, and organising one from start to finish is exhausting. That said I don't know a teacher that wouldn't day, first and foremost, how rewarding the trips are.
Indeed twenty years on, I have fond memories, and am occasionally reminded of how meaningful they were to pupils in my charge. One former pupil recounted to me her experiences of being a bridesmaid to her German exchange partner and how her partner reciprocated. Furthermore, I understand that their children now correspond and are preparing visits.
I also remember humorous moments. There was the girl on an exchange, whose hosting family expressed a real concern that she would not eat meals prepared for her in France.
When asked, the girl told me she just 'didn't like French food'. I asked her to make a special effort. I also spoke with the family and explained that this was the girl's first time abroad and she was nervous of the unfamiliar.
The next morning, the girl seemed very upbeat and when asked if she had made the effort to eat food provided, she replied that 'Yes, this time this gave me English food!" In reply to my question as to what the food was, she replied "spaghetti bolognaise."
We asked pupils to maintain a diary on one trip to France. Indeed, writing it calmed them down just before bedtime, and also offered them the opportunity to reflect on their new experiences. One lad wrote in his diary; "I enjoyed the boat trip as it broke the journey up!" He lived within fifteen miles of Plymouth and hadn't understood that England was separated from France by the sea!
For many pupils, school trips provide the only opportunity to go abroad. It can open their eyes to different ways of living, but also reassure them that life overseas may not be that different. The personal development is immeasurable.
Cross-curricular learning is massive – languages, geography, history, …well I could go on. For teachers it is a huge amount of work, but teachers across the country, like Mr Rippington go that extra-mile. Credit to them all, and I know Mr Ripppington has deserved every tribute paid to him.