This half term

[englishteacher78]

Always turns into a nightmare. Next week there's a choir tour and a Spanish trip, then there's a cricket tour and year 9 are off timetable for 3 days and then there's the sixth formers who (against instructions - they were meant to go before coming back from study leave) go on Open days (some just for the bars) or take Thursdays and Fridays off for festivals! Between now and the end of term I think will be spending most of my spare time catching up students who've been away.
Anyway, rant over - looking forward to the end of term do!

I recognise there can be an attendance issue (I'm a teacher too) but how can Y12 visit Open Days before returning from study leave if the Open Days are being held now? (Many are Saturdays, though - I know as am taking DD).
If someone is off they can catch themselves up. I make documentation (ppts, worksheets, etc.) available on our Blog. If Y9 are all off timetable together, there is no catching up, surely?
I think you are worrying/complaining too much.

I actually feel quite strongly about Open Days (having being involved in arranging them while at Uni). They don't give you an accurate picture at all. Most universities are willing to let you visit at any time. I recommend to my students they get in touch with a former student at that university (often possible at my school) and arrange a visit. Not always possible but more realistic.
Not all the Year 9 go on the trip but some go on both year 9 and choir trip (I really don't get why the choir tour cannot be in the holidays) the list of students going on the trips is often non-existent which is frustrating when trying to plan.
My most annoying one though was year 12 were taken off timetable for a local event which is a prospectus collection event. I went to it myself and it takes about 40 minutes maximum do go round the event. I also don't understand why it's necessary when they all have Internet access.
Also, sometimes, just sometimes, I like to have a little moan about the things that annoy me a bit. And then they don't annoy me so much anymore.