Learning journey

Hi all,
I must say it was a tiring 10 weeks of practicum, I thought it was even more tiring as compared to my contract teaching experience, maybe it is because I was not used to waking up earlier than usual to get ready for school as the school is a 35-40minute bus ride from home.
Though I had 14 periods and occasionally some relief periods to cover here and there, maybe 3 times throughout the whole 10 weeks, but generally it was a good timetable I had and my CTs did not really ask me to do lots of extra stuffs and they gave me a lot of space and opportunities to grow, which I was truly grateful of. They were very encouraging and patient towards me. Generally, I was closer to my CTs than with the rest of the staff although I sit with them in the same staffroom. All the humanities teachers sit together in the same room. I feel that I am not close to the other staff possibly because everybody is always sauntering in and out of the staffroom and they are often busy with their work which makes it hard to interact with one another. The vice-principal and the school mentor were quite nice as when I bumped into them in the school compound, they would ask how I was doing. The non teaching staff such as those doing the administrative duties were nice, they were very helpful as when I was lost and did not know what to do, they would guide me patiently. The photocopying lady was always smiling!
I quite like the discipline system the school sets in place. Apparently the academic detention classes and the behavioural detention classes work very well. Whenever students misbehave or do not do their homework they will be sent to these detention classes and normally students will attempt to finish their work after a warning is given to them in order to avoid going for such detention classes. In addition, for those who displayed wrong attitudes in class, when they realise that they would be sent for such detention classes, they would come up front and apologise for their wrongdoings. The students here are of a upper middle class profile and sometimes they take things for granted which is a concern and it can be hard to humble them actually. I feel that it is hard to carry out my routines towards the end when I had to rush through to cover all the important elements which are required for the examinations. Basically, I felt that the Sec Twos are nicer to teach than the Sec Threes because they will listen when you reason out with them and I feel that it is easier to control them. I do not feel frustrated with them so easily as well. The Sec Threes are rather 'unruly' according to my nie supervisor and I feel that they are rather unappreciative, except for a random few.
I experienced more good lessons in History than in English because for English, I feel that as the school has a certain framework and the resources are already prepared for the lesson, it is sometimes hard to come up with innovative lessons. The standard of English in this school is better than in a neighbourhood school, however those who are better always hand in the minimum, whilst those who are weaker tries really hard. There are a couple of lost sheep in my class, one Korean boy who has difficulty understanding instructions and is always in a daze. He is also not very proactive in clarifying with the teachers or classmates and he does not mix with the rest during group work. The other boys also seem rather exclusive and work on their own. Sometimes I feel sorry for him. Basically in my school, group work is not effective as only a few people are doing the work all the time. Maybe I should have been more insistent on the rules. There is also this boy in my class who is a retainee. I see a lot of potential in him, but he does not try his best. He always attempts to fit in and his classmates always find him a clown. I believe he is doing all sorts of funny things in class to gain acceptance from his classmates but his focus was not on his academic studies which was rather saddening. I counselled him and he seemed to get the message and he never repeats his mistake again though he is a little hyperactive, he is still manageable and he tries his best in my class which is really gratifying.
Basically, I felt that the strict demeanour works for a short period of time only and I realise rapport is the most important element to enjoy a good teaching-learning relationship with the students. Towards the end, I managed to build some rapport with some of the students which is something that I found satisfaction in and I am glad that I was of help to some students when they approached me.