CHAPTER 1

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It is the start of the new year for Central Otago High, and 3 weeks out from the new school year, the teachers are setting up their classes, time frames, course work.

Two new teachers have joined the school. Andrew Webster, who is the new junior History teacher, and Shelley-Ann Jaspers, who is the new junior Maths teacher. Together they have one thing in common, they have both been in Secondary School Glee Clubs. But they don't know that yet, or haven't even met.

The first time they met is mid week, when Andrew who is already in the staff room and sitting by himself reading a History book. Around him are tables filled by other staff members talking away. It's like he's been ignored because he is the new teacher, and they won't go to him, he has to introduce himself to them. But he's not ready to do that yet.

Shelley-Ann who hasn't even been to the staff room yet, all week, because she is shy, decides the time is right. She enters the staff room, and immediately feels terrified. No one makes eye contact at her, and all the tables bar one is full.

She takes a deep breath, and walks straight to the table where Andrew is sitting. She looks down at him, he has his nose in a book.

She clears her throat, and waits for him to look up.

"Can I help you?" asks Andrew

"May I have a seat?" she replies.

"It's a free country."

Andrew goes back to his book, Shelley-Ann sits down. She looks around, the other teachers smile in her direction and looks away.

"This feels like being back in school as a student," she says to herself out loud.

"I know exactly what you mean," replies Andrew still with his head in the book.

Shelley-Ann looks across at him.

"Did you hear me?"

"Of course I did," said Andrew looking up

"I'm Shelley-Ann, I'm the new junior maths teacher here."

Andrew smiles. "I'm new here too. I'm the junior History teacher."

"That's nice. Is that why you're reading a book of history?"

"Exactly."

Shelley-Ann sits back and opens her lunch bag and takes out a sandwich. Andrew takes a sip from his drink.

"Is this your first solo teaching job?" asks Andrew

"Yea, what about you?"

"Yea mine too. 5 years of sitting in classes, working on exams, doing the teaching degree, it's been real tough."

"Same with me. Glee club didn't prepare me for this."

Andrew looks up from his book.

"What did you say?"

"I'm agreeing with you," said Shelley-Ann nervously, thinking that she said the wrong thing. "It's been 4 years of sitting in classes, teaching degree, exams and stuff for me."

"No, no, about the Glee club."

"Oh, I was in a Glee club when I was in secondary school myself. Did the whole 5 years, but it didn't really get me prepared for the outside world."

"I did Glee club at my school too. Did it for 3 years though. Loved it."

"No way," replied Shelley-Ann smiling "Small world. No one ever talks about Glee club."

"It wasn't and isn't the in thing to do."

"Well lucky for you two that there is no Glee club at this school, for you both to get embarrassed about," said someone from another table

Shelley-Ann and Andrew looked across at the person. He looked medium aged.

"Hi, I'm Dalton Masters. I teach English."

"Hi Dalton," replied Shelley-Ann "You weren't a fan of Glee club back at your school I take it."

"Nope. My school's Glee club didn't amount to anything. Never won a thing. They were a talented bunch of no name misfits, and every one of them have amounted to nothing. Somehow you two have amounted to some thing. I give you that."

"I'm not getting into this conversation again," said Andrew standing up "I had my time of talking and talking to jerks like you, not saying you're a jerk, but I'm not open to any more conversation."

Andrew walked out of the room. Shelley-Ann watched him go. She turned back to Dalton.

"Something I said?" asked Dalton

"You said what everyone usually feels about Glee club members," stated Shelley-Ann "Some of us couldn't care less, whilst others are traumatized."

"All I'm saying it's just lucky that this school hasn't got a Glee club. No one can run it. I mean the Music Department has got some hip teachers for singers, but they know their limitations."

Shelley-Ann smiled and got up.

"Nice to meet you Dalton."

She left the room.

Andrew was walking down the corridor heading for his class.

"Andrew wait up," came Shelley-Ann's voice.

Andrew stopped and waited for Shelley-Ann to come up to him.

"I hope you aren't having bad flash backs."

Andrew smiled.

"No, I loved Glee club back in my time, and I can tell you did too. But people like Dalton just didn't get it. We were together as a family. It just what got us through the years. Clicks don't behave as family, they often turn on each other when the going got tough. Do I miss it? Yes I do. Do I still keep in touch with my old friends? Some I do, most I sadly don't. Do I believe it's time to move on. Yes."

"Don't say that."

"Why? It's true."

"Because we both know what it's like for kids to be going through tough times, and no one to rely on. But get that in a group like the Glee club, and it changes everything."

"What are you saying?" asked Andrew?

"Well you'd be a pretty good singer, and a teacher, I'm a good singer, and a teacher, why don't we form a Glee club here at this school."

Andrew turned away "No, thank you."

"Why not?"

Andrew walked away.

"Come on Andrew, deep down inside of you there's something itching to get back out, and express something and help others out if you know what you are doing it for. Don't walk away from that."

"Like Dalton said," replied Andrew "We've had our time."

"Did you or did you not become a teacher because you wanted to help kids out?"

Andrew kept on walking. "Yes."

"Do you believe you can help kids out by teaching them about History?"

"Yes."

"Well for me, I don't think I can help kids out by teaching them about Maths. If there's any other way like a Glee club for a kid to find their voice, then I want to do it."

Andrew kept on walking.

"We know we weren't prepared for the outside world once we finished our school years," Shelley-Ann kept on persistently talking "But what if we integrated that into our teaching OUR Glee club. Not just songs, not just preparing for competitions, but preparing for life outside of school. Wouldn't you want to make that sort of difference Andrew Webster?"

Andrew almost got to the end of the corridor, but stopped.

"You, me, join forces," stated Shelley-Ann "Teach songs, and being competitive, but also teach about preparation. Our Glee club would be better off for it."

Andrew hung his head. He was just wanting to walk away from the experience all together, but he knew Shelley-Ann was right. Man she was annoying as hell. But that was a good thing. He turned back around.

"Fine."

Shelley-Ann had a huge smile on her face.

"You won't regret this."

"I'll probably will, but hey it'll be fun along the way. What do we do now?"

"We need to talk to Principle Davids, and see if can get permission for us to go ahead."

"I'm guessing we're heading there now?"

"Too right."

Andrew, and Shelley-Ann made their way to Principle Allan David's office, and sat down with him to talk him through their plan. After they finished talking about what they wanted, he gave his thoughts.

"So you are both serious about wanting to do this? Wanting to do a Glee club?"

"We are," replied Shirley-Ann on behalf of Andrew.

"Mr. Webster?"

"Yes I'm serious."

Allan sat back.

"Why?"

"Why what?" asked Shelley-Ann

"Why would you guys want to start a Glee club?"

"Because we were both former students of Glee Club, and because we feel we can both make a difference not only as teachers in our respective fields but also leading a Glee Club."

"Exactly what she said," said Andrew smiling "We know what it's like for kids who don't know where to fit in, how to fit in, and we want to teach them how to handle the outside world."

"How do you plan to do that?"

"Lessons, life lessons."

"So you both have your normal classes that you have to run, can you handle another extra curricular activity?"

"We can both do this," replied Shelley-Ann "We can both support each other."

"Okay I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll talk it through with the board and get back to you both. It may take a couple of days. So leave it with me."

Andrew, and Shelley-Ann stood up, and walked out of the office.

"How'd you think that went?" asked Shelley-Ann

"Not sure. He didn't sound too keen."

"Well I hope he talks to the board with justice."

"We'll just have to wait and see."

For the next week and a half they heard nothing, they would both sit together during lunch and discussed what they could do for their Glee class, but still no word came.

Then a week and a half before school term officially began, they both got called to Principle David's office.

They walked into the waiting area at the same time.

"Hey what are you doing here?" asked Andrew

"I was called to see Principle David's," replied Shelley-Ann "You got the same call?"

"Yup."

"You know what this means," replied Shelley-Ann optimistically

"It's been far too long a wait," replied Andrew, "Don't get your hopes up."

They were shown into Principle Allan David's office, where they were told to sit down.

"Sorry I haven't gotten back to you both until now," stated Allan "Are you both still keen to do the Glee club?"

"I am," replied Shelley-Ann

"I am too," replied Andrew

"Then I have to tell you. I've spent the last week working hard on the board, at first they dismissed the idea, but I gradually persuaded them around."

"Why would you do that if they were so dead against it?" asked Andrew

"Because when I was a kid, at my school, there was a Glee club. I didn't join it, but I saw how good it done the kids who did join it, and I have regretted that ever since. I'm no good at singing or dancing, but it felt like they had a purpose, that they were tight, and they had each others backs. If a Glee club could do that back then, it could do it anywhere. So I managed to persuade them into giving you guys a crack."

"Wow, thank you," replied Shelley with a huge smile on her face

"You'll be given the unused hall that was about to be demolished to make way for another classroom, but the board felt, it still could be used, and made a difference. You will have last period of every day to meet, plus after school. Any child or children who wants to join, will have their last period as Glee practice no matter what year they're in. And the school will provide money to get you to competitions."

"Why do I feel like there's a but coming," interrupted Andrew

"Because there is. The board know that you two are newbies, and so they feel it might be too much for you both to handle at once."

"That's why we would support one another," said Shelley-Ann

"So what's the catch?" asked Andrew

"In order for you to have this Glee club, you need to have a Senior Teacher on board overseeing everything that you do. This Senior Teacher will have full say, and last say. This Senior Teacher will be overseeing Glee Club for the next three years."

"Is this a must?"

"It is a must. You can't get a Senior Teacher on board, then I'm sorry no Glee club."

"But that's not fair," replied Shelley-Ann

"It is fair," replied Allan

"We already know that there's not too much support of a Glee club at this school," stated Andrew "Other faculty members have told us such."

"Then I'm sorry my hands are tied."

"So we need a Senior Teacher who knows the arts?" asked Shelley-Ann

"That's right."

"Then we'll get one,"

Shelley-Ann stood up, and headed for the door.

"Come on Andrew we have work to do."

Andrew looked back at the Principle, who gave a wry smile.

"Any suggestions?"

"Try the music department, or the arts department."

Andrew turned and followed Shelley-Ann out of the office.

"I don't think there's anyone who'll support us," whispered Andrew

"Let's find out."

For the next hour Andrew and Shelley-Ann tried to talk to almost all of the Senior Arts teachers, from the Drama department, to Art History, Art, to and Music, and all those people turned them down without hesitation.

Frustrated they were almost on their way back to the Principle to give the bad news, when the head of the music department, Quincy Daniels, walked past.

They kept walking.

"Oi you two."

They stopped and turned around.

"Do you know who I am?"

"Yes you're Quincy Daniels," replied Shelley-Ann "The Head of Department of Music."

"You know your stuff then," replied Quincy

"Not really," said Andrew "We were told by your Senior teachers that they won't get behind us to do a Glee Club, and nor would you, so we shouldn't even bother to talk to you."

"So on hear say, you would rather give up then without trying to speak to me?" asked Quincy

"What's the point," replied Andrew frustrated

"Hold on," said Shelley-Ann "What Andrew's trying to say, if we were instructed not to talk to you, it was only because we felt we would be given a no too."

"Oh okay, so you're just going to presume I'm not interested in what you two are wanting. Good luck with that."

Quincy turned and walked off, both Shelley-Ann and Andrew looked at one another. They quickly ran off after Quincy.

"Wait, wait," said Shelley-Ann "We're sorry."

"We've just had an hour of disappointment," replied Andrew "And I think we were just at the end of it."

"What are you saying?" asked Shelley-Ann

"Why don't you try asking me what you want to ask," stated Quincy

Andrew went to step forward, but Shelley-Ann pulled him back.

"Let me."

She turned to Quincy.

"Obviously you heard we needed a Senior teacher to act as an overseer on our behalf. No one else in your department is interested. Will you please help us with forming a Glee Club, and getting it all together. Will you please be our mentor."

Quincy looked at Shelley-Ann and then at Andrew.

"You both want this so badly?"

"Yes." Said Shelley-Ann

Andrew nodded.

"I've been hearing my people have been turning you down, I was disappointed. It sounded like a good idea. You two are passionate. That's what I want to see in people I work with. For the students. Being passionate makes a difference. And that to me is what the students need. I use to belong to a Glee club instrumental group, so I know what it feels like. So if you need me to be your mentor I'll be willing to sign."

"Wow," said Shelley-Ann "Thank you."

"But we'll be doing the ground work," said Andrew

"I understand that. From time to time I'll be joining in, but you two have full say. I will just have the final decision. Got it?"

"Yes sir," smiled Shelley-Ann

"Now let's take this meeting to Principle David, and get it signed and sealed," replied Quincy.

All three of them went to Principle David, and shook hands, and signed paper work. Their Glee club was now a go. After the paper work was signed, they received the key to the old hall, and both Andrew, and Shelley-Ann went to get it sorted out, and set up...