Staff Room!!!

[ScienceTeacher]

It was suggested on another thread that we should have a staff room, so I thought I'd bite the bullet and start one.

Shall we introduce ourselves?

I teach Science (Physics A-level and GCSE Chemistry plus the usual general science in KS3, and also KS3 Geography). I work in a small girls' independent school. I started this job in September having spent two years in contract and supply. This was a getting back to teaching after an 8-year maternity leave.

I am a mum to five children from 16 (gcse!) TO 5.

or these in an ironic way

Yeah my class would like these too. I am in primary at the moment.My secondary classes liked merit points and house points. Also I ran a raffle one year where good work and behaviour earned them a ticket which went into a raffle at the end of half term for a small prize.

Ours do half termly raffles which go down well.

Any inventive ideas for prizes? The kids always wanted unsuitable prizes like pets or beer. I always stuck with boring prizes like pencils.Any suggestions?

pets or beer

Message withdrawn

I buy pencils , rubbers etc from places I visited while on holiday.

So they were a little more exciting than the bog standard.

Have been known to do mini mars bars, but please don't shop me to the Quinoa Gestapo

Pets and beer!

Cod - we are supposed to sue green too. I'm afraid I ignore the "rule" and invariably use purple instead. The kids generally don't give a toss what colour it is - and some of them actively WANT red!

"sue" green? USE green!

I like that idea, foreign pressies.

Mars bars are a good idea.

Some were only as foreign as Wales and London, but the novelty amused the kids

Plus they never have pens, pencils, rubbers etc

How was your shepherds pie MB?

Very nice.

We had a leg of lamb yesterday, and this finished it off nicely

I shall give you a sticker.

Have a nice evening, I am off. Nice staffroom and I will be back.

Lol, the sticker thing!

I only teach 'A' levels, but a few years ago my HoD brought in gold stickers for those who work hard and gain a certain grade. I was like that'll never work - but they loved them. Only last month, one of my A2 students, a strapping 18 year old lad asked me if I could buy some silver stars for those who didn't quite make it to gold. Said he'd been working hard for the past two years but had never got a gold star. I couldn't believe how much they really cared about them!

I find A level love stickers more than any other year.

But what they all love and will do ANYTHING for, is to be allowed to have a go on the interactive whiteboard for 30 secs at end of lesson.

Even truly terrible kids will comply for this reward. What is the fascination with blackboards? we were like it when we were at school

science teacher - at Leeds Uni

I know I'm a bit late joining but I teach English at secondary, just two days a week since having my dd

Anyone in?

I shall make myself a coffee.

make me one while you are there, if you would. White and none. Mine is the mug with a chicken on it

Oh sorry I seem to be using your mug. I have also drunk your coffee.Here, have one of my smiley faces biscuits to make up for it

Me too please - black, no sugar. Don't care which mug so long as there is no lipstick on it.

Had a lovely day today - the pupils clearly inspired by the sunshine!

I only teach part time, and so only work after lunch on a Tuesday. And the sixth form have revision, so not the most stunning of lessons.