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Frugaleers, keeping their frugal resolutions in the new year. Keep on, erm, resoluting!?

989 replies

Cagliostro · 14/01/2017 23:22

Hello everyone! :)

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ChristmasSeacow · 29/01/2017 14:50

Ooh Wreck so would that be term time only? I can see why that would appeal.

I think I remember what you do now - is the school job more hands-on and not just clerical? If I were interviewing I would be keen to know why you wanted the job, and also would be pleased if you knew a bit about the school and had a positive reason to want to work there. It's perfectly fair enough to be interested in a job because the hours fit (and that is probably what would interest a lot of people!) so you would stand out more if you could explain why it is a natural progression from your current role and why you would be good for it (you might, for instance, be more than used to clinical record keeping, understanding confidentiality requirements, pretty confident with the language of healthcare, able to deal with people who are scared /difficult... you might enjoy the contact with children most in your role, whatever). If the job involves new skills and responsibilities that you haven't experienced don't be afraid to admit that you would need some training, but turn that into a positive and explain that that is why you are so interested in the role - because you will learn something new! I don't know much about school health assistants but I imagine you will need to be able to work fairly independently, but know the limits of your
Knowledge and use good judgment and know when to escalate an issue appropriately. (Basically, let them know you have good common sense and can get on with things day-to-day but know when to involve others).

A question I would ask if I were interviewing people for a role like that is about safeguarding. You've probably already had training on that and so should be able to handle a 'what would you do in this scenario?' -type question but worth refreshing your memory and thinking that through a bit. If you are concerned about a child how might you handle it? What sort of signs should you be concerned about?

Another good thing would be to know a bit about the school, and to use that to demonstrate why it would be an interesting role for you. I wouldn't go too heavy quoting statistics etc (that comes across a bit weird!) but if you said, for instance, that you are aware from the ofsted report that the school has quite a broad socioeconomic mix (e.g. as shown by higher than average free school meals) that you would expect a range of issues to impact on health, making it a challenging but interesting place to work etc etc - you get the idea!. You could see from the intro to the latest ofsted report whether the school is above or below national average for FSM or number of languages spoken. If above, that will mean it has quite a socioeconomic mix (with attendant issues). If below, say in a very middle class affluent area, it might suggest that the pupils have more home advantages and that you will have a quiet life but you can still comment on it! For instance you would be able to note that it is a nice school in a nice area but that there are always issues impacting on child health that would make it an interesting role (if they ask you to expand you could explain that for instance obesity is not predominantly a class issue; likewise emotional and physical abuse can happen anywhere, and in a less dramatic level family pressure and expectations can really affect children's health too). I am sure in your current role you have seen that things are not always as they first seem so you have to be interested in people and open minded to pick up on the signals of what people need.

Finally, they will probably ask you if you have any questions. Worth thinking of one if two good ones - anything you genuinely need to know is fair enough, but also something about the role (how it would be supported /who is the manager, training opportunities, opportunities for you to liaise with staff across the whole school to build you working relationships... or opportunities to meet school health assistants from other schools to learn from each other... whatever)

I hope I haven't overstepped the mark with this essay, I am just interested and know how few people do this little bit of extra prep!

Perhaps I just need to get out and get back to work Blush I obviously miss it!

ChristmasSeacow · 29/01/2017 14:56

Cross-posted with Frazzled (because I type v slowly on iPhone) - agreed that safeguarding and confidentiality look like hot topics!

WreckTangled · 29/01/2017 14:56

That's so helpful, thank you! It's not at any particular school it would be at all the schools in the locality. I've tried to find out if there is anything specific to our area that I could mention ie if we have a larger than average number of obese children or something but I can't find anything. I also can't find how many schools they look after. I will re read what you've written when I get a second and come back to you. Yes job is more hands on, would it be frowned upon if I mentioned that something I'm really interested in is the prevention of type 2 diabetes (which I can demonstrate in my current role), would that be too presumptuous?

WreckTangled · 29/01/2017 15:13

And yes term time only!

Fluffycloudland77 · 29/01/2017 15:21

NSD.

ememem84 · 29/01/2017 16:10

frazzled we stayed at the "St Brelades Bay Hotel" it was amazing.

I'd link to it but for some reason I can't do that.

Wheelycote · 29/01/2017 16:54

Hi all! I'm rubbish at sticking to this thread....but determined now

Hope your all well :)

Painting kitchen today and So far a low spend day. £5.00 for goodies given that my Dteen sons have been doing the dismantling shelves and lifting

MeadowHay · 29/01/2017 16:59

NSD, 4th in a row! Grin DH just buying us some bits from Amazon now but that's being paid for by a gift card that we got as an Xmas present from a couple that we're good friends with.

We will be making a veggie soup for tea as have lots of random bits of vegetables to eat up. DH in work tomorrow for a day of overtime and I have a fairly busy day of uni & work, bit anxious about it as always but trying to stay calm and think positive.

Em So jealous of your trip, pics looked beautiful. Would love to go on a weekend away but don't think we can afford it yet.

Wreck Good luck with your interview! Seacow has provided a lot of interesting advice, was reading with interest. I've just done the online assessments for the graduate programme I've applied to. I think we hear about whether we've got an interview or not about the end of March or something so it's a very drawn out process.

lifelongfrugaleer · 29/01/2017 17:12

Good luck for tomorrow wreck

SnugglySnerd · 29/01/2017 17:13

What a wet, miserable day!

Have got all the newborn stuff down from the loft and sorted into piles such as "neutral", "pink", "blankets" etc ready for washing. The first load "muslin clothes, hats and socks" is already in the drier. Also sorted a bag for the charity shop of things we found in the loft. Keen to keep the clutter to a minimum before the influx of more baby stuff! On which subject we are braving Ikea this week...

It's been a frugal day food-wise anyway. Realised the eggs go out of date tomorrow so made scrambled egg and toast for lunch and we are eating the last few Xmas leftovers from the freezer for tea.

Fluffycloudland77 · 29/01/2017 17:26

Snuggly Don't forget your ikea family card, their doing that promotion again where you scan it at the kiosk & win stuff. Everyone's gaurenteed a prize.

You can claim it before you leave if it's anything worth having.

Brightermornings · 29/01/2017 18:08

Frazzled I'm a member of Toluna , valued opinions,my survey, Ipsos and yougov. Yougov is a cash one when you get 5000 points it's worth £50.00. The others are voucher sites.
I know it won't make me rich but every little helps!!

CremeEggThief · 29/01/2017 18:12

Just had the veggie roast dinner we were meant to have last Sunday. The fresh veg, which came on Saturday 21st (potatoes, broccoli, carrots and parsnips) was still fine, so pleased with that. I made enough for tomorrow's dinner as well (a nice treat on a Monday night after Pilates) and I'll make soup with the last of the potatoes, parsnip and carrot for lunches this week.

Cagliostro · 29/01/2017 18:20

Oooh not long now snuggly :o

Brighter I am also wondering who you do surveys with! I do panelbase.net and valued opinions - definitely find the former more 'lucrative' but I'll check both daily again.

I made the mistake of checking the pocket money book and realising I have a lot saved up! Now I am itching to spend it. Hmm I have put a small eBay bid on a little game - I won't increase it so will be under £7 total if I do win in a few days. I diverted my actual spending to a teaching resource I need instead. I need distracting!

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ChristmasSeacow · 29/01/2017 18:21

Hi Wreck I see, lots of schools. Well that in itself means you'll probably get a diverse experience. And it gives you good questions to ask them, aboug schools that are covered etc. I don't think it would be presumptuous to mention SN interest in Type II diabetes - presumably you've seen a lot of it in primary care and the origins of it probably go back to childhood in a lot of cases so it is relevant. Good luck!

It's been an NSD, largely because the weather is so grots that we couldn't be bothered to go out. I have been batch cooking stuff for DS and then napping (was lush! Why are naps even better than night time sleep?!). Now making paprika pork for our dinner tonight.

Snuggly that sounds exciting - I am really looking forward to getting my baby stuff out and seeing what there is! I think a lot of the newborn stuff is neutral but not after that. I don't mind dressing Baby DD in boys' clothes much of the time but will get a few nice girls' things for photos . Bet it's all even smaller than you remember! Have you got the babies' room ready yet? I think Project Room Clearance is going to be very slow and painful here... Confused

Cagliostro · 29/01/2017 18:21

Ooh x post Brighter thank you, I will check those out.

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ChristmasSeacow · 29/01/2017 18:22

My phone autocorrected 'special interest' to 'SN interest' - I've obviously typed SN a lot!

lifelongfrugaleer · 29/01/2017 18:24

Rescued some apples into crumble.
Looking at keilder for half term so DD can use her telescope.
Anyone know if there enough to do for 5 days up there?

CathodeRayTube · 29/01/2017 18:25

That was a really interesting explanation of the approach to a job interview Christmas.

This is one of the things I love about Mumsnet, that you can ask a question and it turns out that someone on here is an expert in the subject. I know what you mean about missing your job. I really really do and have been doing a bit of blogging just to pass on my knowledge. I'm not sure if that would appeal to you, but it's really helpful for just getting to talk about the stuff you love.

I think I may finally have had the fabled NSD, sitting in bed with the lurgy. Dh is being fab and looking after ds while I hide.

Good luck in the interview Wreck. I think you'll be wonderful.

Christmas - One more question, but if wreck and her daughter have mobility problems and wreck has hidden disability, would that be looked on favourably in this role, as giving her insight into the issues, as long as it didn't impact her ability to do the job? I'm just wondering if that's something that she could really sell, or if it's something she should minimize?

I've just done a course online in Equal Opportunity Law (big letters!) and it said that employers legally can't discriminate against disability as long as it doesn't impact the work that needs to be done in the role. But from my experience of dealing with the primary school system, I really wonder whether wreck would actually be in a much better position to do the job, because she's been on the sharp end herself iyswim. I'd have been really glad to have someone with empathy for the situation dealing with me and ds.

Cagliostro · 29/01/2017 18:55

Confused as feck by Toluna, it keeps telling me to update my details but when I do it's not saving them so it keeps saying I'm not fully registered. I downloaded the app too but it seems to just be polls rather than proper surveys. Wonder if it's because I signed up via facebook, but I only did that a it wouldn't work registering with my email!

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Brightermornings · 29/01/2017 19:10

Yeah the Toluna apps not great. Maybe email them see if they can help.

Girliefriendlikesflowers · 29/01/2017 19:46

Laughed at lot at Need being MIA presumed frugal Grin Maybe her dh has whisked her off somewhere nice for her bday.....

Have had a busy day, we went to see Trolls this morning dd and my nephew loved it, I thought it was very erm bright. Then been to my nieces 3rd bday party this afternoon which was good but quite tiring!

Its been a NSD though so thats good.

mammymammyIRL · 29/01/2017 19:58

I'm in bed leaving dh to put the dc to bed, I also had a lie in this morning. Feeling very flat today haven't felt like that in ages. Sad

I went for a 6k run with local group today & was one of the advanced runners instead of a beginner ✅🏃🏽‍♀️ a few years ago I was Johnny Last every week

Aldi shop came to an eye watering €176 - there wasn't even that many treats in it. There's a reason I go without dh & dc GrinAngry our average is about €150 for groceries but I still need to go to the butchers Shock

Seacow it's fabulous to see you giving wreck so much advice. We're all rooting for you wreck! Was that patisserie Valerie you were in?

I presume need is being pampered

Tryingtosaveup · 29/01/2017 20:19

First of all good luck Wreck. I have spent a long career interviewing people for jobs in education and I completely agree with Christmas. I don't want to be patronising but Smile and be positive. So many people come through the door looking miserable. We are all rooting for you. Good luck

Em, I think you now have a duty to try all the good hotels in Jersey for me please. ( I'll probably be staying with someone from the charity for the first few days and then have a few days holiday with DP.
I tried My Survey for a few weeks but couldn't work out when/ if they gave vouchers. Think I will try some others.

CremeEggThief · 29/01/2017 20:22

Mammy, hope tomorrow's a better day. A good night's rest will set you right. Well done on your run.Star

Fingers crossed for you tomorrow, Wreck. Good luck!

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