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

My head has never even done a virtual assembly!

Honey I will reply!

Happy Saturday all. Dh and I avoiding each other because we just go off on a big rant about schools when we meet.

A full year assembly led to a cluster and the whole year group SI at my school. It was the one and only time it happened. Hugely irresponsible.

Hi everyone,
I've had a glass of wine, which is probably why this article made me feel a bit teary.

www.theguardian.com/education/2020/dec/12/down-two-maths-teachers-head-maths-almost-tears-diary-headteachers-week

Need to catch up on the thread. Hugs to everyone. We've only got 5 days left but I think given what's happening at school, I won't be seeing my parents on Christmas day.

That article is a stressful read, particularly the kid with the pot noodle for Christmas dinner. I couldn't do any sort of safeguarding role, it's bad enough the stuff you hear as a class teacher.

But the head can solve his maths teacher problem by instructing them to ignore the app notification and come in.

Me either brie. My sister will be over from Germany and my godfather will be with her and mum - but I'm the weak link. I don't think any of them are vulnerable but I don't want to find out the hard way. So it's me on my own for Christmas. I've been roundly derided for this, but it doesn't feel right. All three of the others live alone and are either retired or work fully from home. I have neither luxury.
I could spend it with one of two other colleagues who are also friends. But it's their family time and much as I love their kids (one lot are my godchildren) I'd be a spare part.

Sorry to hear, MrsHamlet. I have dh and dc and we've got a nice day planned. I was going to ask my parents to come and stay over on Christmas day, but we have increasing cases in school and it just feels too risky.

Oh MrsHamlet We’ll keep you company on Christmas Day!

but I'm the weak link

That was how I felt, MrsHamlet. Everyone else says it's ok, just come, but I don't think people who WFH (or shield, in my parents' case), understand what it's like to be sitting wondering if you are infecting people, or that horrible time afterwards when you're praying you don't hear bad news.

Still, I hope you're ok. I have went a bit overboard on my Christmas decorations to compensate

Hey. Soz for prolonged absence. It’s just been..a lot for the last couple of week.

Will catch up on thread.

Thanks all. I'm okay. No decorations because it just seems like a waste of time. But I'll get some nice food in and laze about. If we're allowed to travel next year, I'm going to insist on Florida. Last Christmas was the best ever and we all need something to look forward to!

See, I think decorations are even more important this year. I wasn't one of those who put them up mid-November, but we did go a week earlier than we would otherwise have done. And I ignored dh and went and bought even more outside lights for this year. But he agrees it all looks fab.

If they’ve invited you, don’t necessarily feel you would feel like a spare part. MrsH. My grandparents pretty much ran an open house over Christmas and we often had non-family members for Christmas. I think it’s more common to worry about it than to actual feel like a spare part. Although alcohol probably helps.

@MrsHamlet I hope you have as good a day as possible

for everyone having tough times. I've not managed to come on here much the last couple of days as I've just been so busy.

Christmas day here is just me, DH, DS(7) and MiL who is elderly and has alzheimer's so she has been in a care bubble with us all along. Normally there's a crowd of us but obviously can't happen this time.

My mum and dad are coming to see us on the 27th as my mum works in a care home so she is staying away from people apart from my dad. From the 27th, she has some days off and will be tested before returning to work so it minimises the risk.

It will be different this year but I am looking forward to a slightly less hectic Christmas holidays and a chance to have some quality time with DH and DS.

Oh it'll be lovely to drop in here on Christmas Day!

I know this goes against everything you want to hear in this thread, but now that local primaries have closed (with zero cases) and I will have to send my DCs to friends and family so I can work this week, I think there's little point in us isolating ourselves from them over Christmas. There is literally nothing but others' generosity to support me, so I'm leaning towards the 'fuck it' persuasion.

I am so fucked off.

It doesnt really matter if lots of teachers get it, I mean its disruptive in the short term but it won't bring the NHS to its knees

@MrsHamlet I might be in the same position. If so, wanna drink gin cocktails all day?

I don't have any family so always feel sad and deflated at this time of year (bloody bawled at The Pretenders today!) but I feel so sad for all you guys who just want to see your family as normal and feel frightened or burdened with responsibility.

Where's that quote from, Smile?

It’s a shame for everyone who can’t have the Christmas they want, or usually have. I had a present exchange in the front garden today. Bloody depressing, really, but hey ho.
We just have to keep believing that this time next year we will be in that cottage, with those friends, in another country, together with family......whatever we want.
Please feel free to flick Vs at my Pollyanna-ness

I'm just trying not to think about all the things we are not doing that we would usually do around now.
We're planning the best Christmas we can under the circumstances, and I think it will be nice enough, but....
Hey ho.

In all honestly my Christmas will be exactly the same. Which is depressing enough!!

Unless I have to SI and can't get shopping. In which case it's all the stocking sweets, Pringles, and some cheese biscuits.

And endless board games while DS1 sulks.

Christmas is really going to suck for everyone.

I will be with DH and DS which will be fine but can't see my parents. Will be doing outside walks with everyone else. I will mostly be feeling sad for my mum who has been my dad's fulltime carer since they cancelled the external carers in March. She is exhausted and I'd love to be able to wait on her and my dad hand and foot on Christmas day and enjoy seeing her spending time with DS. She could really do with a break and she hates all cooking and housework tasks whereas I don't mind them at all.

At Tesco today the cashier was telling me that her kids primary schools is giving the parents the option of either remote learning or in school. 3/4 of the families are going for remote.

@SmileEachDay hell yes!!!!