When i said socialising, Andy, i think i probably meant "socialising"
; i am friends with lots of the blokes at work.
As for the role model thing, i think i am a role model for the young people in school, especially the girls, even if they don't realise it. it's about setting a good example and teaching good values :) rather than trying to have students directly emulate you. the sports point i agree with though, it's soooo not cool to be a bod!
i think it's important to try to broaden horizons and create the impression that it's ok to be good at academic things, and to challenge those who demean achievements in the classroom as if getting the right answer is a bad thing. i'm constantly trying to bolster the self-esteem of the able but derided people in some classes, probably because i was labelled a swot at school. i just worked hard and did well, i didn't bust a gut so the label annoyed me!
similarly, i don't tolerate any language like "spacca" (?spelling) or "mong". but then maybe in a faith school you can afford to be more moralistic?
btw...
now that I have gotten to know
"gotten" I hope you don't let them write that in their coursework?!!
