Tips for surviving a residential please!

[glinda]

Off in a few of weeks for 5 days of outdoor pursuits with lower KS2. - All good except 5 female members of staff have to share 1 bedroom and bathroom! They are all lovely, but much younger and thinner than me. Can't cope with the lack of privacy!
Anyone done this and survived???

Thank you. It's so nice to hear when efforts are appreciated.

Lol, Kickass - it's currently late on day 2 of the residential (plus 1 day's travel). MrTeacher is a totally charming, laid back, cheerful and energetic c28 year old - he has 22 children and a helper. DH said thoughtfully this evening that he thought MrTeacher was probably re evaluating his career choices around now and we reckoned that if he has a girlfriend, the residential will have put back family plans by 3-5 years.

Sonorous What were you expecting to be happening at that time of night, that would put the teacher off? Ours were in bed by that time...some still quietly chatting, but certainly nothing to be concerned about.
Before we left last time, I did have parents tell me "Oh, he's so fussy." or "She takes ages to settle at night." or "He really doesn't wake up well in the mornings." (all our mornings were rather early, compared with when my class usually get up) and "I've just had five of them round for a sleep over. They were sooo noisy and lively. I can't imagine how you'll cope with 30 of them."
Thing is, it doesn't tend to bother me much (and in all fairness to my class, they were excited, but not to a point where it was a problem). I grew up in a busy family with lots of children around all the time. It's also a very different situation for most of the children. They behave differently to when they are at home. I had a fussy eater, who did eat what was put in front of him...even when he wasn't too keen. There were others around, who were encouraging him...and I'm happy to make a deal, if needed. (Similar to my nan, I expect them to at least try something before dismissing it. I'm proud of him that he did.) They had one late night, then were too shattered for the rest of the week. We keep them busy. I quite enjoy myself on residentials. DH doesn't mind. He goes on his own residentials with his classes. It's hard work and you are never really "off duty". But it's certainly not something that puts me off teaching. (There are plenty of worse things...)

No wine? Good God I usually hand my DC's teachers a few bottles as they get on the coach!

I have been on many residentials with my pupils. We always had a small glass of wine at the end of the day in the staff room.

Never had to share a room though- we always had our own.

No wine or sleeping tablets here either, definitely sackable. Last to sleep first up is my usual strategy but might be too much for five nights. I'd take it in turns to have an "evening off". So you can go to the room, read in peace, shower privately and get an early night. That way no one ends up always "on duty".
Last time we did this, we had five teachers in a room and only a shower curtain separating off the bathroom, we had to get a bathroom rota in place pretty quick. :)

But most of all, enjoy it, it'll be great fun, and the children will create memories that last a lifetime.

WINE

Ha ha I'm off out too in the next few weeks, although ours is three weeks adventurous training with our BTEC level 1,2 and 3's. I'm always apprehensive before I go but love it when I'm there. You'll see a different side to the kids. Ermmm tips?

Dry shampoo
Baby wipes
Break in any walking boots before hand!!
Vaseline for blisters
Layers!