Looking back on my days in Year 11, I remember thinking how difficult it was. The work was challenging, the early mornings were a nightmare and the stress was, at times, overwhelming. Luckily, I can look back and remember that I had a lot of support. Teachers were excellent. They made the most awkward of subjects easier to cope with and understand. If I was ever in need of some extra tuition, I could rely on any teacher in a department to guide me through the work that was causing me problems, whether that particular teacher taught me, or not. That is one of the advantages of having so many subject teachers, which I am now able to appreciate a lot more.
One of the most surprising things about Year 11, for me, was how enjoyable P.E. sessions seemed to be! A wider range of activities meant that choices were a lot more fun. For example, in winter we were able to go bowling and stay in a warm, dry building, as opposed to playing rugby on the cold, wind-swept fields of Priesthorpe.
Something that I especially appreciated in Year 11 was the level at which we were treated. In lessons we discussed more advanced topics in a more mature way. We were encouraged to work out and express our personal opinions, and to address more complex and sensitive subjects.
Breaks were the most enjoyable times of our day. (This is something that has never changed for pupils nor will it ever!) Here we could meet our friends, discuss the new ideas we were meeting in our courses, or just catch up on the gossip! If on occasions we did get bored with each other, or lose interest in conversation, we could always challenge each other to a game of pool on the tables provided in the Youth Centre.
It seems so distant already, but I don't believe my last year of compulsory education would have been the same anywhere else but Priesthorpe. I absolutely loved my year, it was truly memorable. I especially enjoyed the quality of my relationships with fellow students and teachers.
Thanks to a lot of hard work, I gained the GCSE grades which have allowed me to come back to Priesthorpe, where I am now doing my A-levels. I am looking forward to my two years of Sixth Form experience. From here, I hope to go on to University to pursue my dream of, some day, being a teacher.
Tajinder Khera
, on behalf of Year 11
(Year 12, 2002 ~ 2003)
