Half term is just extended PPA time ... discuss

[Ihatespiders]

So far I've changed my literacy display, marked the end of unit extended write, planned next 1/2 term's science and PE, and am about to make a start on the geography and music planning.

I've also managed 2 days out with my own children and they will have my undivided attention on Thurs and Sat.

Do all primary teachers end up using 1/2 term as PPA time, as well as catching up on sleep?

Not really. I use it to recharge and meet friends. Am going in for day tomorrow and am doing some planning, but at a nice leisurely pace.

Yes. That's why I'm leaving Christmas:-)

I've refused to do anything school related... so far.

BUT

I've got maths planning to do, parents' eve and SEN review notes to write, target tracker to update, classroom to tidy (as practically sprinted out of the door last Friday , co-ordinator file to update with work and planning scrutiny notes - that I need to write up!

This must be why some schools "cancel" PPA in first and last weeks of term. :(

If I don't work for the majority of half term I'd never keep my head above water in term time .
I am going to try and squeeze in a day's Christmas shopping though! Because lots of Saturdays in late November and December are taken up with school events, prep for Christmas play, etc. I'd stress too much if I hadn't done at least a little of my own Christmas before we break up.

I had the first weekend to myself, swimming, cooking, walking, meeting friends. Since monday i have spent everyday at school. Changing displays, planning, marking, writing in learning journeys, generally tidying the environment. I find that i always need half terms to catch up with myself. Tomorrow will be an admin day at home sorting subject folders. Friday is my day off school related taks. Friends tell me not to go in but i just wouldnt get everything done if i didnt. My class is twice the size of last year and the expectations and workload dont change to compensate.

I refused to do anything the first weekend, but I am grinding on through it now. I did feel resentful at first, but then it's not so long ago that I was working in a job that didn't have half terms and I was doing thirteen hour days, so the way I see it (at the moment) is that I will work 9 - 5 during the week unless I want to go and see friends etc. I am managing to convince myself that I feel grateful that I can do it at home, in front of the tv with a cup of tea.

Saying that, I am so very tired still! I am worried that I am going to go back not refreshed and recharged and just be shattered by the second week

No. Don't use it as that. I worked very, very hard last half term and came home with only the same amount of work as I would on a normal weekend. As a result, I have done no school work so far and only plan to do one day in the next couple. I need to do more before a new term, but the long term planning for this term is already complete.
If you don't rest you will burn out and be no use to anyone.

So, a mixture of approaches. Here's hoping that we're all managing to find some time to recharge, sleep, socialise and generally have whatever form of break suits :-)

Nope - no work for me at all. I work every Minday to Thursday at home from 6pm to 11.30pm ( do including hours on school I do a 14.5 hour day but I do not do any weekend or holiday work. Except a week prepping the new class in the summer.

No, after 17 years I don't work in the half terms any more. I need the time to mentally recover for the next term and I could always find more to do and never get to the end of the to-do list anyway.

I put in a few more hours of planning ahead/prep time in the week before the holiday so I can do nothing in the half term. I did bring home a box of books to mark, but didn't get around to them - I'll do them on or after the training day tomorrow. :)

I don't mind spending a bit of time on an evening planning or looking online for new resources, but make sure I do everything else in the time I am in school. THe only time I break this personal rule is when I am doing online assessments as this is much quicker at home with faster internet. Or when it is time to write reports.

My school has a lower demand for paperwork than others as our headteacher is very mindful of our work/life balance.

I do still have the marking to do I brought home and the eco reps' environmental review to write up (and the action plan to type up). That will hopefully be done tomorrow. I've already planned and prepared for everything I'm doing next week. :)

I went to France for a week. I don't work during the holidays apart from at the end of the summer vacation.

I worked 3 days of the week, and did the usual weekend stuff. It's rather depressing really, especially as my marking load is now full again, although I cleared it. But did go to a nice cafe and see friends,so feel a bit more relaxed. Trouble is, for my (two) subjects the GCSE and A Level set texts and translations change so frequently that I can't really see a time where I won't be teaching new stuff, and so having to do prep work and resource making on top of marking!