I don't have any pet gripes.
Every time a gripe surfaces in my life something occurs to remind me how lucky I am and how much energy is wasted on harbouring a gripe.
In fact, Mr.
Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, I am of the opinion that the word "gripe" should be struck off the register of English words.
It should be erased from the dictionary.
It serves no useful purpose.
It has a negative influence on our lives.
If there were to be any gripes in my life, they might occur in the realm of my work as a teacher of high school Mathematics.
As you are all aware, I have been teaching Mathematics for nigh on 50 years.
I obtained two degrees at university as an evening student and I grew up in the era of external examinations.
Early in my teaching career, I helped prepare students to sit for external examinations.
So, if I had a pet gripe, it might be just this.
Many students do not take any notice of my lessons on how to do formal examinations.
To make matters worse, they do not take serious the review of each examination I do with them.
Consequently, they continue to make the same sorts of mistakes in examination procedure in the next formal examination.
To "justify" my expertise in formal examinations, I talk, first of all, about my own experience.
At the end of primary school, I had to sit for what was called the "Scholarship" examination which consisted of three, two hour formal examinations.
If I passed these examinations I was able to go to high school free of charge.
Consequently, the scholarship teacher gave us a two hour practice examination every Friday morning to prepare us to sit for those formal examinations at year's end.
In my high school years, we had two and three hour examinations in all our subjects each term to prepare us for the Junior and Senior external examinations.
The results of the external Senior examinations determined if you matriculated for university study.
These formal examinations carried on at university.
Next, on the basis of my experience with formal examination, I explained the best way to do a formal examination.
I repeat this lesson prior to every examination.
But all my words fell on deaf ears.
Maybe, teenagers knew better.
After all, I was only a teacher.
Like their parents, what would I know? I'm old and out of touch.
Even when the examination review pointed out their errors, they took little notice.
After all, the examination wasn't fair.
It was too hard.
It tested things they weren't taught.
I just couldn't win.
But it's not about winning! The gripe is not important.
This behaviour is a fact of life for the teacher.
If we repeat the advice enough times, it might one day get stuck somewhere between the ears and be used effectively.
So I don't dwell on that gripe if I can call it a gripe.
Besides there are too many things that are positive in my life to allow a gripe to take control.
Let me tell you about some of them and you'll see that the word "gripe should be stuck off the English register.
They are: I live in a great country, Australia.
I have a healthy family, I enjoy a great climate, a safe environment and the freedom to come and go as I please.
So let's no gripe but be always aware of how lucky we, Australians, are and be thankful for the privilege of living in the Great South Land.
Every time a gripe surfaces in my life something occurs to remind me how lucky I am and how much energy is wasted on harbouring a gripe.
In fact, Mr.
Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, I am of the opinion that the word "gripe" should be struck off the register of English words.
It should be erased from the dictionary.
It serves no useful purpose.
It has a negative influence on our lives.
If there were to be any gripes in my life, they might occur in the realm of my work as a teacher of high school Mathematics.
As you are all aware, I have been teaching Mathematics for nigh on 50 years.
I obtained two degrees at university as an evening student and I grew up in the era of external examinations.
Early in my teaching career, I helped prepare students to sit for external examinations.
So, if I had a pet gripe, it might be just this.
Many students do not take any notice of my lessons on how to do formal examinations.
To make matters worse, they do not take serious the review of each examination I do with them.
Consequently, they continue to make the same sorts of mistakes in examination procedure in the next formal examination.
To "justify" my expertise in formal examinations, I talk, first of all, about my own experience.
At the end of primary school, I had to sit for what was called the "Scholarship" examination which consisted of three, two hour formal examinations.
If I passed these examinations I was able to go to high school free of charge.
Consequently, the scholarship teacher gave us a two hour practice examination every Friday morning to prepare us to sit for those formal examinations at year's end.
In my high school years, we had two and three hour examinations in all our subjects each term to prepare us for the Junior and Senior external examinations.
The results of the external Senior examinations determined if you matriculated for university study.
These formal examinations carried on at university.
Next, on the basis of my experience with formal examination, I explained the best way to do a formal examination.
I repeat this lesson prior to every examination.
But all my words fell on deaf ears.
Maybe, teenagers knew better.
After all, I was only a teacher.
Like their parents, what would I know? I'm old and out of touch.
Even when the examination review pointed out their errors, they took little notice.
After all, the examination wasn't fair.
It was too hard.
It tested things they weren't taught.
I just couldn't win.
But it's not about winning! The gripe is not important.
This behaviour is a fact of life for the teacher.
If we repeat the advice enough times, it might one day get stuck somewhere between the ears and be used effectively.
So I don't dwell on that gripe if I can call it a gripe.
Besides there are too many things that are positive in my life to allow a gripe to take control.
Let me tell you about some of them and you'll see that the word "gripe should be stuck off the English register.
They are: I live in a great country, Australia.
I have a healthy family, I enjoy a great climate, a safe environment and the freedom to come and go as I please.
So let's no gripe but be always aware of how lucky we, Australians, are and be thankful for the privilege of living in the Great South Land.
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