The Thirtieth Republic ( 30! who would have thought) - Is it too soon to book a staff Xmas party?

[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

I also agree with @Piggywaspushed it will be about minimizing the numbers needing to isolate.

The exam thing won't really help in Science I don't think- there's too much cross over. For example, if I teach forces, students need to have a basic understanding of energy for when they do work done. Waves also needs an understanding of energy. To be able to do radioactive decay you need to understand the structure of the atom. Photosynthesis requires understanding of cell structure, respiration and energy. I could go on. Unless they only assess say paper 1 content but that will mean I have essentially wasted a term teaching paper 2 content.

It's rubbish.

My kids school have apparently had repeated problems of kids being sent in while household members wait for test results - which then turn out to be positive.
The last parent mail we had was as close to "stop being such fuck wits" as possible while remaining this side of professional and polite. Just
I really do admire the HT's patience and restraint!

@PumpkinPie2016

I also agree with *@Piggywaspushed* it will be about minimizing the numbers needing to isolate.

The exam thing won't really help in Science I don't think- there's too much cross over. For example, if I teach forces, students need to have a basic understanding of energy for when they do work done. Waves also needs an understanding of energy. To be able to do radioactive decay you need to understand the structure of the atom. Photosynthesis requires understanding of cell structure, respiration and energy. I could go on. Unless they only assess say paper 1 content but that will mean I have essentially wasted a term teaching paper 2 content.

It's rubbish.

Agreed re science.

So after it all kicked off on the old Facey, our principal sent out a Strongly Worded email to parents about, well, not kicking off on Facey. Then later sent a whole staff email together with quotes from 18! supportive parent emails about how great college is and how amazing we are and how they really think we’re doing a great job with the whole covid thing.

As Eddie Izzard once said, the Nazis had propaganda...

MrsHP I've been full on LCHF, but with some cheat days (half term was a cheat week tbh). It's surprisingly easy to do after the first couple of days. Drinking more water and electrolyte tablets help with combating the carb cravings for the first few days, and fight the inevitable headache.

I couldn't face marking tonight after a full day of dealing with morons (staff not kids) and a union meeting.

I feel a bit ropey today. Banging head. Was in a foul mood as a result, but without my challenging darling, the class responded pretty well to grumpy me and we got loads done.

Had chat with my parents about Xmas, they want to do it tye last weekend of the holidays. Means that while none of us will isolate, we'll at least be able to manage our contacts for the 2 weeks. And if either me or child gets popped during the last week of term, we'll probably still get a bit of Xmas.

@WhyNotMe40

My kids school have apparently had repeated problems of kids being sent in while household members wait for test results - which then turn out to be positive. The last parent mail we had was as close to "stop being such fuck wits" as possible while remaining this side of professional and polite. Just I really do admire the HT's patience and restraint!

We've definitely had that. One of my students tested positive so they sent home close contacts partway through the day, however seems like no one thought to send home the sibling who stayed in their bubble until hometime...

Flagsfiend

I suggested the same thing to my parents tonight rule and they live the idea of being able to meet more safely. If we isolate for 2 weeks, although I'll still have to go to the supermarket as I didn't manage to get a delivery slot, then I won't be so worried about passing anything onto them. They're thrilled I've been thinking about how we can safely meet up with them, as they were worried about how to tell me they thought we are a risk (of course we are!)

It's just occurred to me that not only will we have to give relatives a wide berth over Christmas, but we'll be right in the firing line for the spike in cases immediately afterwards. Roll on 2022.

@SaltyAF

It's just occurred to me that not only will we have to give relatives a wide berth over Christmas, but we'll be right in the firing line for the spike in cases immediately afterwards. Roll on 2022.

I hadn’t though this far ahead, but you’re right. Probably will be a huge spike in Jan

The HT of my kids school sent out a brilliant letter which said something like "stop mixing at sleepovers and parties, we know all about it because your kids grass you up" but in the most professional tone. It was amazing.

"Probably will be a huge spike in Jan"

They'll find a way to blame us teachers for that, too.

@RigaBalsam I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. Got everything crossed that her mum recovers.

I'm feeling sorry for myself this evening due to having tooth removed. Very glad its friday tomorrow!

@Hercwasonaroll

The HT of my kids school sent out a brilliant letter which said something like "stop mixing at sleepovers and parties, we know all about it because your kids grass you up" but in the most professional tone. It was amazing.

Do you think they get special training as part of the headship qualification?

[quote eitak22]@RigaBalsam I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. Got everything crossed that her mum recovers.

I'm feeling sorry for myself this evening due to having tooth removed. Very glad its friday tomorrow![/quote]
Ooh poor you . Hope it's not too sore

@CallmeAngelina

"Probably will be a huge spike in Jan"

They'll find a way to blame us teachers for that, too.

Oh definitely!

I expect if Christmas isn’t cancelled and January is a resultant shitstorm, the press will gleefully report tales of feckless stupid teachers having the audacity to see family members-when that’s allowed for all other sectors-over the holidays being the sole cause!?

I actually think there won't be much of a spike over Christmas. Schools will be closed after all.

Dfe is ridiculous. If
they had limited bubbles to 30 there might not be this spread
Not let in visitors
Not had music teachers in
Sorted something re the ppa time
Said they had to eat in classroom
Kept siblings of contacts home (then also it's clear siblings always do the same.)
Masks obviously
The testing of schools their info said about.
The rotas said about.

Dsis in nyc her kids had cases at school but seems they didnt spread. They had strict bubbles and masks and pooled testing. So they would have known if it did spread.

N somerset no idea what is going on. But areas are basically part of bristol in terms of leisure etc. No doubt though gov caused bristol and surrounding areas issues with the unis/schools/holidays.

There were people saying they drove to england during wales lockdown for shops etc.

2w shut for primary after a case would probably work best to keep uk cases down.

@MsAwesomeDragon

MrsHP I've been full on LCHF, but with some cheat days (half term was a cheat week tbh). It's surprisingly easy to do after the first couple of days. Drinking more water and electrolyte tablets help with combating the carb cravings for the first few days, and fight the inevitable headache.

Thanks I've done it before successfully - old time bootcamper and did atkins many, MANY, moons ago. I know it works for me. I know I feel better for it. I need to just put on my big girl pants and get on with it frankly. Right. You've inspired me. Bring on tomorrow.

Maybe not a spike but a lot of deaths as meeting elderly relatives.
Maybe the gov are trying to ensure everyone is 'immune' before xmas

Evening everyone. Friday week B tomorrow and I only have two lessons and a tutor period . My favourite day! However, am giving entire lunch hour bar 15 minutes over to my 6th form mathematicians who have struggled or not bothered with their homework, and doing the same on Monday too .

My department are great, I think we are keeping each other going at the moment. Feeling relatively on top of things, but know that the next 10 days will be hell (2 evenings for parents' evening and reports deadline).

Happy Friday tomorrow to everyone .

Crashed and burned today. So tired, and an emotional wreck too.

Agree the graphs look horrific. I feel utterly beaten down now. I don't have the fight to argue about it any more....

Just thinking about January:
you know the thing about Christmas- New Year, and just after being, that weird time when elderly people seem almost to "choose" to die?

And then there's this year's flu, we don't know how bad that'll be yet.

And our county is currently experiencing a spike in vomiting bug, presumably norovirus, let's see how that goes this year....

anyone?