The Teachers’s Republic Refuge - solidarity comrades!

[StaffAssociationRepresentative]

So continuing on from our boycott/flowers we need to continue to defend our profession. This is teacher/school staff chat - if you do not fall into that category please start you own thread elsewhere.

#solidarity

Been not being sorry

I've been a lot more sympathetic recently too. We often get requests for a little leeway for certain kids because they're going through a tough time, and I'm generally nicer to them for a while (I'm generally quite nice anyway tbh). That's basically every kid now. They're almost all going through a tough time and finding things difficult, so almost all of them need some TLC and a generous dollop of praise and encouragement.

Had my gin but the day had been unsettling. Had a year 10 boy crying during P7 because it had all become too much.

*What the actual fuck! That is literally ridiculous. It's too much! Anyone saying we should not lower expectations needs to sort themselves out. It's outrageous!

This is not normal times! Q.E.D!

Makes me so angry the pressure some schools are putting on kids!*

Also Go Carly Waterman!

Also not having a go at you staff just the whole situation

Does anyone else get the distinct feeling from looking at the news this morning that the media are pushing the idea of scrapping the 2m rule completely? Information gleaned from their ‘government sources’ obviously.

I wonder if the cabinet have decided that they can’t find a way to open up schools using social distancing so are just going to say the 2m rule isn’t working and isn’t business as normal after half term!

Schools back in their thousands
Parents back in the playground
Commuters and kids back on the buses and trains

What could go wrong?

I saw on another thread some infographic that suggested schools back on May 26th and businesses with fewer than 50 people. I find this odd. Protect the people at medium to large business, assume that can't work but send schools of way more than 50 back!!

It makes. no. sense.

Nope. Sounds like today they are pushing 26th May to get businesses back and schools back by mid June-no 2m rule needed.

I know I should know better than to read it though...

Where was that appu?

I wonder if the cabinet have decided that they can’t find a way to open up schools using social distancing so are just going to say the 2m rule isn’t working and isn’t business as normal after half term!

This is exactly what the PM ( Scott Morrison) of Australia has done. Social distancing is not an issue in schools. For children.

He's turning this into a party political rather than health issue by making teacher objections to being thrown under the bus a pesky union matter, i.e Labour.

Fortunately for schools the federal government has no say in what happens in states, and Victoria (Labour) has given him the finger. He's riposted by offering money to private schools to open early and, annoyingly for him, they've shown him the door, preferring to abide by the state rules, i.e. review on 11th May.:o

Ah. Just seen Torygraph on Twitter!

On a completely separate note, I read in The Times that Eton wants to sponsor more selective state schools in East Anglia and the North of England.

Fuck the rest of the kids, eh?

Can I ask advice from the sensible teachers on here please?

Would you mention OCD and generalised anxiety to your line manager wrt reopening schools? I've copied on rota as it is very controlled, but the week before we shut I was having regular panic attacks before and after work, and washing my hands for 2 plus minutes up to 20 times a day.... I'm not sure how I'm going to cope but don't want to be seen as a slacker. School do not know about my OCD and anxiety (apart from close colleagues) as it WAS under control before coronavirus...

I know someone who was signed off for this before schools closed. I would definitely mention it, although the reaction will depend a little on the compassion of your SLT.

If you can, a trip to the GP / phone call might be a good idea as , under these circumstances, your condition needs to be 'medicalised'. lots of people scoff and don't really believe in it . I have the same issue with people thinking allergies are juts people making a fuss

Australia have had so many fewer deaths as well, don’t they? Good to hear the schools there aren’t listening!

I’m worried this is the way they’re going to go. Everyone back as normal next month.

Would the unions object? Teachers would then get the ‘lazy, work shy shirker’ label stamped on them even harder.

I would love to know how the conversation between the DfE and the unions went yesterday.

Ireland staying closed til September! That's interesting! Hancock sidestepped question yesterday about differences between the Republic and NI.

WhyNotMe40

No harm in asking. I’d happily take your rota place so I’m sure you would have colleagues who would too.

Thanks piggy. I was actually having therapy for the OCD and long standing PTSD when it all kicked off so that should be straightforward.
I have no idea how understanding SLT will be as maybe it's something I should have declared when I got the job!

I did not know until reading a thread that DCs in Denmark are kept 6m apart in classrooms!

SIX METRES!

Am trying to check if this is Fake News.

I don't think my classroom is 6m wide!!

6 feet surely?

Thanks Chloe.
I want to do my bit, but if I'm constantly in panic mode I won't be very effective at school or home....

No, as suspected it's six feet. The fiery NEU tweeter guy won't help himself if he doesn't understand basic measurements...

I’ve got severe anxiety issues and did get signed off when they closed. I went in though.

Not sure how to play it when l go back. I’m terrified and gout could a sick note at the drop of a hat.

My school know about my issues, but no ones spoken to me. So not sure what to do.

Theemoji it's a tough one...

Carly Waterman uSed fo be my deputy head. The whole school went into mourning when she left. When they announced our head was retiring we all prayed she'd come back, sadly she did not