Another school year goes by. Time to think in depth about it, no hurries now, just a stream of feelings that need to be sorted out... Some of them were hidden or postponed because of the whirl of events during the year, some others are on the surface, still running high.
Some people claim we, teachers, are kind of
privileged species, they think we work as if we were just part of an assembly line, not worrying about the product, not a hint of awareness, no further acquaintance... and then even fuss over the extent or length of our holidays. I must say they are right...we are a privileged kind but let me quite disagree about the reasons.
We are lucky to meet a lot of different kids in our lives, smile and laugh together with them, watch them grow up and turn into teenagers, witness their achievements and their disappointments, take a share of their worries and enjoy their success.
The kids themselves make us get involved in their own upbringing, we have no choice, it is a challenge that cannot be missed, a silent pledge of allegiance that cannot be broken. Our duty and vocation is to do our best on their benefit (which is also ours), even when we look or sound too demanding at first or at the moment we make a decision or assess their learning processes. We are so fortunate to teach them because at the same time we are also taught, we also learn from every step forward together and that makes us feel younger inside and keep a young mind forever regardless of our outer look.
Nevertheless, it is not always that easy. We are happy to welcome a new group every other year, new kids, new joy, but nobody told me we were supposed to be ready to watch them go. No doubt these are the hardest times. You sadly realise you will hardly see most of them again except for the occasional meetings or venues where former students gather. It is true that some of them, those who were able to get the gist of our work over the years while they were still at school, will try to stay in touch and keep an emotional link, a link which in the most cases seem to be meant to vanish in space and time. In spite of this fact.. we will always remember those days when they got ill or a broken leg, when they had a superb mark in a test, when they felt down in the dumps because of any failed friendship, when they had fun in our lessons, when they enjoyed a school trip and felt on the top of the world on their graduation day, we will not forget those times when they entrusted us with their rich and varied concerns, and just this is enough to make us feel good again and go on with our lives at school and a smile on our face.
Well I think enough reasons have just been presented here to say that we, teachers, are privileged people indeed so we must celebrate it. That is what we do from time to time and very especially at the end of a school-year, as you can see in the picture. Fortunately, we have reached another end of year alive, which, by the way, could not have been possible without the support of quite a few sensitive parents and the restless and fruitful cooperation among teachers ourselves. But, above all, thanks to our students.....
The Eurocup is an international championship where the best European national teams compete to see who the best is. When the tournament started in 1960, it was called the European Nations Cup but as times went by, the name changed into EuroCup. This football event is celebrated every 4 years in different countries in Europe, in this case, it took place in a number of cities in France. During the tournament, 51 matches were played, starting with a group stage and ending with the big final. Although Spain was one of the favourites to win the championship, the national team couldn’t beat Italy in the round of 16, a huge shame as it will be remembered as the end of one of the best eras in football history. However, it wasn’t all about football in France… 
