I sink down onto my office chair dejectedly. I put my elbows on my desk then let my head fall into my hands.
Today's been awful. This is probably the worse day I've had in my whole teaching career.
Mr pierce was assaulted by Max and I've had to send him to the hospital.
Two of my students went a-wall from class so I had to get security to do a full sweep of the school, I was radioed to be informed they had been found. I thought the situation was under control before I got another update saying that both students had launched themselves off of the school roof!
I had a few tense moments waiting for an update on the students wellbeing, thankfully they landed on the gym roof, they appeared to have landed intact.
I was furious that both of my students had done something so utterly and completely reckless that I went to deal with them myself. The officers were already on route to the gym, barrelling themselves through the door, sweeping the gym for them.
I have no idea how but both of them escaped from the hall, I was informed on my walkie talkie that two of my officers were in an active pursuit.
I had no choice but initiate a lockdown! The first one I've ever initiated in my time running this school.
I thought it couldn't get any worse until it's brought to my attention that one of my students has become mentally unstable because we've failed them! It has never happened before.
Until today! I feel like I've failed! I know I have!
Luckily John rushed over and defused the situation with Hope. I really can't thank him enough, if it wasn't for him I'd of had to call the police, Hope was completely out of control.
It was certainly a rollercoaster of emotions for the girl, Id relied solely on the court referral and the schools process for accommodating Hope. Unfortunately my lack of involvement in the whole process has become my biggest failure.
I've failed to protect her wellbeing. What sort of head teacher allows this kind of stuff to happen?
If John had never come here to speak with me after Hope was arrested, I would still be none of the wiser about Hopes condition.
I had no clue she was diagnosed and she's supposed to be on medication. I'm shocked this wasn't picked up by the school! How the hell has this happened? Is Hope the first student or has there been others we have missed.
I can see now why her behaviour has changed so drastically throughout her short time of being here. She's been struggling in silence and nobody has picked up that her behaviour is not normal. Nobody has thought to ask why? What's the reason behind her outbursts. I feel like an idiot for not picking up on the clear signs in front of me.
Suddenly I hear a knock at my door. I lift my head and sit back in my chair composing myself, then I call out to whoever it is 'Come in'.
John opens the door then strolls in, taking a seat, directly opposite me, before he speaks
'Hope's sleeping now, she's a good kid you know, just a little misunderstood' I nod in agreement, I've misunderstood her since she's been here.
'Thankyou for today, if you hadn't of been here I'm not sure how bad things would've gotten' I say earnestly causing John to chuckle heartily while nodding his head in agreement. He sighs heavily
'You'd of ended up with more casualties and hope would still be a loose cannon' he tells me, I can't help but hum in agreement, the shit show earlier would of turned into a real nightmare if it wasn't for John.
'I've known Hope for years, her dad's an on and off drunk and her mum is too strict, she works full time and has never understood that hope was different. She's been misunderstood by her parents, her friends and at her previous school' he tells me with a sad expression on his face.
'when she was first arrested I dealt with her. After a few weeks of arrests, I'd made a connection with her. It's grown since as you've seen already. She listens to me, she trusts me and she's only ever willingly allowed me to touch her, I can see your beating yourself up about earlier, don't though! Just do better in the future' he explains.
'Thank you, I'll definitely do better for hope, I didn't know about her diagnosis or the fact she's medicated, we will be taking over her care from today' I declare passionately. John smiles then gets up and leaves my office.
I can and will do better for hope, she needs to be treated a little differently but I'm going to work around her.
I grab a pen and paper then start writing a list of what I need to do.
Once my list is ready I get started.
Within a few hours I've sorted most things on my list. When max is back I'll need to find out what went on in Mr pierce's classroom. He fights often but his never hit a teacher like that before.