The Thirty-Second Republic - Christmas count down - end of term in sight

[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 am very small of boob but once managed to teach for goodness knows how long with an unbuttoned blouse. Eventually one of the girls attracted my attention to tell me "Victoria's secret is out, miss." I had no idea what she was on about. It was actually one of the lads who was brave enough to use the word "bra". "Miss, we can see yer bra". I was mortified.

I'm struggling with behaviour too, although according to my y9 class I have mastered the death stare I did the whole disappointed routine on my y10 earlier in the week (their behaviour has recently gone downhill) and they seemed to be listening, no idea if it worked though because now I am off until after Christmas

The kids are normally mad a week before Christmas and that's not even during a pandemic.

They'll be better in January, I reckon.

My students always tell teachers off for 'screaming' , by which they mean shouting.

My favourite riposte is from 'The Windermere Children' when Iain Glen's character says 'I'm not shouting. This is how we all speak in Scotland.'

MsAwesomeDragon why was that complaint even passed to you? ridiculous.

I think I'm in some kind of parallel universe, the kids have been OK this week here.

However this may be skewed by having no year 10 this week!

I have one class that I'm really struggling with this year too. I'm shouting rather more than I usually would. Mine are year 10, and I don't really know how to get through to them. They think they won't need maths because they're planning on being farmers, which they probably will as they will inherit their family farms if all goes to plan. Of course, there are plenty of ways things might not go to plan, but teenagers don't really see that.

mistressiggi my hod really wanted to give me a heads up that the kids are talking about me, so passed it on in that sort of way. He did then give me the advice that it might be better just not to go on my phone where pupils can see, but the office/staffroom doesn't have space for us all, so tough. If I have to spend my break alone in my classroom I'm going to use my phone if I see fit.

My Y10 will be a lot easier next week because they told me today that half won't be in as they will be isolating so they can see their grandparents.

Don't blame them.

@Hercwasonaroll me too. My classes have been good this week, even my usually quite challenging Y11s.

Maybe we're for it next week!

Monkey can yr DS come home for Christmas? I presume he can as you've had him recently?

Just thought of it as have learnt today that I'll be allowed to enter my brother's care home for the first time in 9 months on Christmas Day (or any time 23rd -27th), even to give him a kiss! Am somewhat surprised at this, but pleased, as it's looking very much like it'll be his last Christmas. Might not risk getting that close, will have to think about that. But he may not have many days left at all, have also learnt today.

My DDs school have sent out the newsletter saying they aren’t taking Friday as a training day as it’s too disruptive to parents, training days can’t be planned with a week’s notice and (paraphrasing) the government are stupid for suggesting it at the last minute. Quite impressed with the HT!

@noblegiraffe

My Y10 will be a lot easier next week because they told me today that half won't be in as they will be isolating so they can see their grandparents.

Don't blame them.

My year 10 told me they will not be isolating whatever happens. They don't care who they spread it to "as noone really gets ill apart from old people, miss". Which was a bit ironic as the lesson was on communicable diseases....

Oh August how bittersweet

Thanks herc. Whynot that's quite funny. And just shows that formal education has limitations.

My (still 100% attending) class are very well behaved. Well, as well behaved and overtired overexcited children can be at this point in term.

I've just found out a local primary, which, like us, had had no cases, had 14 positive tests last week. Five of them are staff. Mostly in one class/year group.

Sorry WhyNot : not funny for you or your community.

DfE’s twitter propaganda is going superbly well*, you’ll be pleased to see

*if “well” = “going down like a ton of shite”

mobile.twitter.com/educationgovuk/status/1337375879866052611

This is so shocking:

schoolsweek.co.uk/school-forced-into-remote-learning-u-turn-after-ministers-issue-minded-to-direct-legal-letter/?fbclid=IwAR2tKo5bXi7bVXgI4bTEtCYzlHEiO7xlbUB24F4wV5-6b9zQG3Wd05ByFA8

@Augustbreeze

Sorry WhyNot : not funny for you or your community.

Nah it was funny in a head-desk sort of way. It opened the eyes of some of the class to the immediacy of communicable diseases though, so they might remember! 3 of that class were X coded as well...

Have we all filled in the ofqual survey about advance exam info?
www.gov.uk/government/consultations/support-materials-and-advance-information-in-2021-gcse-as-and-a-level-exams

yup. Not many options on the table!

Yes Herc, done that. It was a bit short in detail!

[quote mumsneedwine]@ChloeDecker you could try my trick. I forgot I was live streaming and stood in front of the camera so student had a view of my backside for 20 minutes. He was too embarrassed to tell me but his mum eventually unmuted and very politely asked if I could move. Glanced at screen and my bum looked mahoosive. Could be worse though. My male colleague was facing the other way when he stood in front of the camera. Let's just say we have saved that recorded lesson for prosperity.
If I can't laugh at immature things I won't get through the day. [/quote]
That’s just classic! Thanks for telling me that. Makes me feel much better and reminding me we’re all just human!

Wasn't it! I felt it was a (literal) box ticking exercise to agree with them.