Feeling left out

[cotswoldsgal1234]

Every week at school, during break, there is coffee and cake for staff. All staff are invited, but because of my job, I have to be available for students. In 20 years I have never gone. And no one has ever suggested covering for me, so I can go. Today I sat there and thought what a shitshow. AIBU to feel this, or should I just carry on and push it to one side?

You are amazing, the school are so lucky to have you. But maybe you should now pick the date you want to attend and ask your manager to cover. It is very important that the staff know you and you know them, for job purposes but also socially too! Go get your cake, a double helping at least.

I have zero advise OP but sending you lots of love. Buy yourself a lovely cake next week and enjoy it, revel in not having to see idiots. It sucks they don’t have any compassion.

Vengeful miserable bitch energy... I think I like the sound of that. 😀

Put a note on the door saying you’ve gone to room x. Sorted.

It’s a shame we don’t have people like you working at my school - thank you x

Could you have a pager system?

Your job sounds very stressful op. I would tell your line manager you want to go and ask her to arrange it. How many absolute medical emergencies can there be? Surely the students can wait. If it’s that serious they need sending home from school.

You can close the medical room for 10 minutes and take a walkie talkie or mobile phone with you.

Who would be on the other end of the walkie talkie?

It would be nice if somebody thought to come bring you something.

The nurse eating the cake. Most state schools have walkie talkies for staff on break duty, SLT etc. In some schools all staff have them. Medical rooms are closed for staff breaks and when staff are busy.

If she was in a classroom dealing with a child, there would be no one in the medical room anyway. She’s entitled to a break that is only interrupted if something is so serious it can’t wait.

Schools are always super busy and stressful places to work- especially at this time of year, everyone is hanging on by their fingernails and not thinking straight.
Also, if this has gone on for 20 years, it’s just become how it is. If you want cake, then ask someone to bring you some. If you really want to go, then initiate the change. Talk to your line manager about having someone else first aid trained- how do they manage if you are sick or on a course? Why can’t you just take a radio with you for 10 mins?

Of course the OP would be on one end - I asked who would be on the other end!

Anyway, I don't see why your walkie-talkie idea wouldn't work.

Is the staff room so very far away? A child could presumably have a medical emergency anywhere in the building at any time. You can't be everywhere at once.

We are having more and more students with severe medical needs. We have 12 type one diabetics, 14 students with EpiPens, a few epileptics, students with brain shunts, I could literally go on and on. We get no more funding. I wish parents could see what goes on.
Senior management are all stressed. They choose to ignore things and ofstead are never interested in medical needs, only SEN.

I feel her pain…send her my best regards.

From 8am there is never a second without students in my office. They are waiting for me when I arrive

Do you think it is time to look around?

Yes it’s quite far away.
when there is an emergency, a I get a student to run and get one of my First Aiders to cover. In a genuine emergency everyone is amazing. Well apart from the emergency services, who usually tell me there is an 8 hour weight for an ambulance!

Is this a mainstream school? It sounds very intense with all the severe health issues and emergencies. Our school nurse only ever gave out wet paper towels and paracetamol!

Next time shout up the corridor, OI YOU LOT SOMEONE BRING ME SOME CAKE, THANKS.

That made me smile.
I am meaner than you, this week I was whispering to myself ‘ I hope you all get really really fat’…

Yes it’s a mainstream school. Large comprehensive. It’s all gone to pot since Covid.

Or you all get explosive diarrhoea -but only on the way home. 😉