The Twenty-ninth Republic - lockdown light continues & good news for Welsh students

[StaffAssociationRepresentative]

You are most welcome to this school staff support thread to get us through stressful times. It is meant for school staff only – a sort of room of requirement. Baiters, haters, goaders, and bashers can jog on somewhere else.

If you are NOT staff and just have a general education query please start your own thread.

You can play here if you are a member of one the following groups-

-ABBA - anti bashers and baiting association
-SWAB - school workers against bashers
-SWOT - school workers opposing teacherbashers
-STARS - schoolworkers together against ranting + slurs

Do not give the staffroom password just in case it attracts the wrong sort

Other requirements for staff room entry include the ability to find the staff room, the ability to find a clean mug in the staff room, knowledge of the photocopier codes, and the ability to sniff out where the booze is stashed - Thirsty Tuesdays, Fizz Fridays now in operation.

If you come with a stick to goad us then that is not allowed in the staffroom and you will receive a detention

@Keepdistance

England the kids have masks on PT dont they?

Scotland havent they got masks down to young ones in shops etc?

Yes, Over 5 wear them in shops and public transports. They don't have to in primary school though.

@SmileEachDay

Our kids who are positive seem to not be triggering any wider isolation because they’ve become symptomatic on a Sunday. PHE are saying if they’re not in school for 48hrs before then no action needs taking.

Not even close contacts.

Also many kids just absent. Most with no confirmation of a positive but I just wonder if parents aren’t bothering to get tests.

It’s all just a bit of a shitshow.

Surely their contacts from Friday need to be traced? A teacher friend started symptoms on a Monday, so didn't go to work and got tested. They didn't had to trace anyone because the 48 hours before was sat and sun. If they start showing symptoms on a Sunday before end of school time, surely Friday contacts falls into that?!?

So many kids in school whilst family members are awaiting tests. Then they're off the next day when test comes back positive. Message just not getting through.

Mysteriously it’s always been Sunday eve.

We’ve also had lots who were already off school who then went on to develop symptoms and get tested. Because they were off school already no need for action.

Begs the question “umm why were they off if non symptomatic”

I honestly think my school leaders are doing their best but DfE are trying to limit the number of kids sent home by hook or by crook.

It's Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So today I had an observed lesson that went kind of ok, one of the things i would change for next time I mentioned to my teacher before he had chance to mention it to me. And he gave feedback in such a supportive way. Have a couple of targets for next lesson, but he's happy for me to teach all the maths next week . I asked if i was up to it and his reply was don't be daft!

Feeling as if actually i might be able to scrape through the PGCE after all. Maybe. Possibly.

So this weekend I have next week's maths to plan, and start on a science block as well as a proposal for my essay.

Ive only been in that class since Monday but the difference it has made has been amazing. I actually now have an idea of what I'm doing and someone who is prepared to talk through ideas with me. Ive sat on a virtual parents eve. The TA is an ex teacher so has been sharing loads of tips with me and also gave me feedback. I feel like they're on my side

Ok I'll stop waffling now and get back to my wine! Have a good weekend everyone, you deserve the rest

There you go, name, things are much better with a decent mentor!

Anyone got any questions to put to parliament? I might have a few.

twitter.com/ibahcmt/status/1327293674791837698?s=21

Hooray, name - very pleased for you. I'll have a wee gin in your name 🤣

That’s great name - well done and keep on keeping on

@name Wooooo! Well done you!

Well secondary numbers have obviously fallen from the rolling BBC news, but this is is my local news:

www.expressandstar.com/news/uk-news/2020/11/13/hundreds-of-covid-19-clusters-and-outbreaks-occurred-in-schools-this-term-sage/

Lovely to hear name. Well done. A tip - make sure you have one weekend day entirely work free. It’s really important for your headspace.

noble I don’t think my questions for Parliament are printable.

That’s brilliant name
motherrunner hopefully that will give you some headspace now to get on top of things.
Riga what a fantastic letter that is , made me well up. I really wish someone would listen to the students voices.

@starrynight19 We teach live to timetable so will be still sling my normal teaching day, at least I won’t be anxious about catching the virus for a week.

That's great name. I knew you were fab! All it takes is a supportive mentor who's willing to talk you through things. (My mentor on my first placement was amazing, the mentor on my second placement was shit and never had any time for me)

Lovely new name!

Found this too. So glad it's Friday all and sorry to those who have had a bad week. neu.org.uk/press-releases/

coronavirus-ons-data-finds-infection-rates-highest-amongst-secondary-aged-pupils?fbclid=IwAR3P2AzPBSQOUIblce54uKD33NUsfHjJAkiLuXhmdbwQzFhNSW4AmgifWZo

neu.org.uk/press-releases/coronavirus-ons-data-finds-infection-rates-highest-amongst-secondary-aged-pupils?fbclid=IwAR3P2AzPBSQOUIblce54uKD33NUsfHjJAkiLuXhmdbwQzFhNSW4AmgifWZo

Oh deep joy. Some of my colleagues are apparently desperate to start revision sessions with y11. Now we're being shamed into it.
I don't want to.
I don't need to.
I don't want my students pressured into going.

I would like to propose a toast to....
Queen Giraffe.

I would like to propose a toast to....
Queen Giraffe.

cheers 🥂

My daughter’s bubble has closed! Stupid parent sent in their child whilst waiting for a test now they all have to self isolate for 14 days!
The letter from PHE is a laugh as well ‘only the child has to isolate’ - what, a 5 year old on their own!? It’s nuts.

I’ll be teaching from home next week via Microsoft Teams and the kids watch from the IWB with a cover teacher. Hope it all works-so nervous!

Haha I thought that had been overlooked! 👑 🦒

Friday night 🥂 to everyone!

Do we have a special chair for Queen 🦒?
She can't sit on these... they came out of a skip in 2004.

@MrsHamlet

Oh deep joy. Some of my colleagues are apparently desperate to start revision sessions with y11. Now we're being shamed into it. I don't want to. I don't need to. I don't want my students pressured into going.

I'm the same. I said no - my reason being i dont want to spend any more time in the building than i have to. I'm cv and really careful. I've said that i'll take over setting revision material on Google classroom for the whole dept instead. Everyobe was happy enough with that - even the kids.