Hartlepool teacher 'gutted' as hopes dashed of returning home to see family and friends

Thomas and his girlfriend Neicher pictured at Bayoun Mountain, Guangzhou.

Thomas Magson, 30, said he was ‘gutted I can't be home for the summer to see family and friends’.

The PE teacher lives in Guangzhou which is one of China’s largest cities and was statistically one of the worst affected areas by the virus outside of Wuhan.

Lately, however, life has got back to normal.

Thomas pictured with his work colleagues.

Thomas said: “The opening of schools at the end of April/beginning of May period was the final straw in the city's return to normality.”

He added: “The borders are still closed however. I was supposed to be flying home for the summer.

“I'm gutted I can't be home for the summer to see family and friends, even if things aren't back to normal yet in the UK. Hopefully the measures will be relaxed worldwide towards the end of the year so I can return home for Christmas.”

In the meantime, Thomas described daily life in China and said: “Guangzhou has still maintained it's thorough checks in terms of temperature, facial recognition and QR codes.

A photo of Guangzhou taken by Thomas on a late-night bike ride.

“However masks are now able to be removed in certain places, such as local gyms and on school campus.”

Working life has been busy for Thomas.

“After returning to work, I have had to deliver both face to face lessons for those in school and virtual learning via Zoom for students elsewhere across the globe,” he explained.

“Teaching PE under restricted conditions has certainly been a challenge. Physical contact has been removed due to government guidelines and students must have their hands sanitised when handling equipment both before and after lessons. Even at lunch, staff and students must still sit two metres apart.

“The 'new norm' has certainly been an interesting one. Even last week our leaving students celebrated their end of studies with a virtual graduation. Students out of China tuned in via Zoom for the event in their cap and gowns.”

And it looks like working as a PE teacher could get busier in the next few months.

Thomas said: “With the borders still closed, and a number of colleagues unable to return, it looks like I will be teaching a second subject next year in addition to my usual PE.

“Today was originally the final day of the academic year. However, my school is delivering a four-week summer school in an attempt to recover lost learning time for students.”

There has been a second setback for Thomas.

“Unfortunately, my girlfriend must return to the UK in mid July when her current VISA expires, and with no sign of the borders reopening at the moment, it looks like I will be flying solo for the next few months in Guangzhou.”

He added: “It's good to see that places are beginning to open back home, which will no doubt lift people's spirit. Hopefully this is a sign of good things to come.”

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