Meeting The New Staff (2)- Mr Inderpal Kalsi (Chemistry)

Following their excellent opening interview with Miss Ewart, Hannah Elsy, Jonathan Lawrence and Laura Weaver have now talked to Mr Inderpal Kalsi, one of two additions to the Chemistry department this year.

The Right Formula

Jonathan: We’ll start how we did last week, very stereotypically. Which University did you go to and what course did you study?

Mr Kalsi: I went to the University of Warwick and I studied for a Masters in Chemistry.

Hannah: Did you enjoy it?

Mr K: Yes I did, but a lot of my friends are still at university. They're going back now, saying ‘we’re gonna do this, we’re gonna do that’, and I feel out of the equation.

H: Were you born around here then?

Mr K: Yes, I was born in Coventry, so it was quite easy for me to commute.

H: So did you live at home, or have accommodation?

Mr K: No, I lived at home, so didn’t have to take out a loan.

J: Pretty clever!

Mr K: I also won a scholarship and received funding for a 15 week project. This paid for quite a bit, so I actually capitalised!

Laura: So what’s your favourite memory from School?

Mr K: My Physics teacher. I found most teachers less inspiring but his lessons were really interesting, and he had different methods which really drew me into the sciences. It was him who inspired me to become a teacher.

H: So would you say you adopt some of his methods when you teach?

Mr K: Yes! Although I don’t know if that annoys pupils or encourages them! I’d say I’m strict with my pupils, like he was. If someone is trying it on, I’ll put them in their place! Although I would say almost all of the pupils have huge respect for you as a teacher. Some of them can be very unforgiving, picking up on you if you make the smallest mistake; these are mainly cheeky 6th formers!

L: So, if you were inspired by a Physics man, why did you go into Chemistry?!

Mr K: I was always top of the class! Every year, at the equivalent of Bablake's prize giving, I’d always win the Chemistry prize! In fact in University, I worked so hard in my first years that I came out top pf the class, and I realised in my last year that I only had to achieve the equivalent of a 2:2 to come out with a 1st overall.

J: Good plan! So you didn’t have to do much work?

Mr K: I told this to my professor and he didn’t seem too happy! He told me I still had to stretch myself. It’s a good plan though, guys…

L: If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Mr K: To fly! So that I could avoid all that traffic coming over the railway bridge in the morning!

H: It's terrible! You may as well be dropped off further up the road and walk.

Mr K: And that bridge under the line isn’t any better!

J: What attracted you to Bablake?

Mr K: The positive attitude of the pupils. Unlike some of the other schools I’ve taught at, they have a really great work ethic and want to learn as well as respect for teaches. That’s very important! You’re respected for doing your job. And everyone’s so polite! I asked a boy the way to the office and he took me there, opening all the doors for me. I like that. It’s different from ‘Where is the office?’.... ‘It’s over there (Mr K makes a generalised sweeping arm gesture’

H: Different from your previous experience?

Mr K: Yes, I taught at some schools with a bad work ethic before I came to Bablake, and it wasn’t so much teaching but behavioural control. This turned me off, but then I got a job at Cardinal Newman Catholic and the kids were great there, really enthusiastic... and then I was offered this job at Bablake.

L: What about your family? Any brothers and sisters?

Mr K: I have 3 sisters. What subjects are you guys doing for A- level?

H: English Literature, Art...

Mr K: I did Art at GCSE! I was pretty good at it! Who’s your favourite artist?

H: Dali.

Kr K: I like Picasso. At school we had to do so many paintings based on his style that he stuck with me. I remember for my coursework, I said to my Art teacher: ‘If you give me an A prediction, I’ll do Art for A- level, and if you give me a B, I’ll go and do Biology’. So guess what? He gave me an A. And do you know what I did? Went and did Biology! Do you still have to do that 10- hour- exam?

H: Yep.

Mr K: I remember my exam piece was awful. It was a brief of ‘Interior/ Exterior’, and I painted inside a window, looking outwards onto a landscape which I made up, except the inside was black and white and the view was in colour. It was pretty dreadful.

H: It sounds different!

J: Do you have any other hobbies and interests apart from Chemistry?

Mr K: Sport! Especially cricket.

L: What position do you play?

Mr K: Usually 3rd or 4th batsman. I used to be a bowler, but I’ve got out of the ‘swing’ of it. I’m not a huge fielder. I enjoy scoring the runs!
I like Badminton, but haven’t played it properly in ages. Also pool and snooker, if you can call them sports!

H: Sounds like my kind of sport! Are you running the Chess club?

Mr K: Yes, but there are many kids on the team who are much more skilled than me!

L: I once played Chess against someone in year 9 and was beaten in only 3 moves! That same boy can do the Rubics cube with his eyes shut…

H: Okay, here’s a ‘Desert Island Discs’ situation. You’re stranded on an island, but you can only have one book and one piece of music for the rest of your life. What would they be? 

Mr K: For a book, It would have to be one by Duncan Bannatyne, he’s quite good. For music, I’m not an expert, but I mainly like Asian music for its great basslines and beats.

J: Well, I guess that’s a wrap!! Thank you!

H/ L: Thanks!

Mr K: Thanks!