Might be a trick :)!

Scroller by MasterGreetings

Scroller by MasterGreetings

From quite an early age I thought I would become a teacher. I think it all started when I was about fourteen years old. At that time I was a county squash player who enjoyed coaching youngsters on a Saturday morning, under the guidance of the club coach. I felt I had a good rapport with the children and enjoyed the teaching and learning experience.

A few years later a strange thing happened. Living in a seaside town in the south of England, I was always subject to busy, touristy summers. Quite surprisingly, whilst walking along the seafront, my mother went to see a fortune teller. The fortune teller explained that one of her sons would move abroad and be a success in his chosen profession. At that time, my brother was a very successful squash player and my mother presumed that it would be him. Little did she know that it would be her elder son who would pack his bags and begin international teaching in Saudi Arabia. Thinking back, the signs were there!

Graduating university College Chester with 2:1 Honours in 1998

I began my teaching career in the north of England, close to my university and my girlfriend. After three rewarding years at Woodlands School, my new wife and I ventured to Saudi Arabia as naïve ex-pat teachers. There is where our roller-coaster ride began!

Living and working in Saudi had many benefits, but also many inhibitors, which we soon learned about. This experience was really learning about different lifestyles, cultures and religion. The school was great, well resourced and with a supportive staff. We had two enjoyable years there, before a horrific bombing took place on the compound we lived on. After a traumatic night or two, we left Saudi under ‘force majure,’ our home wrecked and our possessions in boxes.

All the teachers left together, there was safety in numbers. The school was damaged in the bombing and no-one was guaranteed to return. My wife, Sally, and I spent a long time reflecting on what had happened and with the support of our colleagues and friends, returned to Riyadh for one final year. We wanted to rebuild the school, both in terms of structure and organisation, but also in pupil numbers. We wanted to leave Saudi Arabia on our terms, not anyone elses.

The final year was difficult when we were told not to leave our compound for what seemed like weeks on end – prisoners in our own homes, surrounded by tanks and soldiers. This was no way to live our young lives together.

After leaving a country where we couldn’t read or speak the language, we moved to South Korea, where the same issues arose. However, we found the Korean people much friendlier and we soon began to feel at home. Although the two Koreas are still officially at war, we felt safe, supported and looked forward to the challenges which lay ahead.

During our second year in Korea , the British school, one quarter of Seoul Foreign School (SFS) were going to move to a brand new campus on the other side of the city. This was going to bring about exciting and challenging times – setting up a new school! At the last minute, plans changed and we were told the move was off. Again, a roller-coaster year emotionally, as so many plans had been made, only to be scuppered. I felt drained and looked forward to a summer at home. 

At the end of the year, the Key Stage 2 Leaders position was advertised – this really appealed to me as a new challenge and different experiences would beckon. I wanted to develop professionally and continue to be a life-long learner. I was the successful applicant, but knew that the Head and deputy were leaving. I had a major part to play in the development of the school and felt up to the task.

After two years in the role, I have learnt a great deal on a daily basis and appreciated the constructive feedback from colleagues on ways I can improve. I have also learnt a great deal on leadership on the courses I have had the opportunity to attend

Now I have the biggest challenge any man can face….a baby!

Nick Corben, November 2007

Isobel Matilda Corben was born on January 9, 2008

 isobelmatildacorben.weebly.com/