The Thirty-Fourth Republic - Time to recharge our batteries and make the best of our festive break

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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

@Achristmaspudsskidu solidarity. I can’t sleep so have got up to watch shit on Netflix before everyone else gets up too. Going to spend today and tomorrow house sorting/cleaning/generally getting organised then going to try to throw myself into Christmas fun/games etc for the kids (and me). I know it isn’t forever, I was worrying about seeing my parents so in a way feel safer about that. Feel like the way forward for me is a little wallow period then I can try and crack on.

I’m going to sort out the online lessons for first week back, make some Desmos things to use too so my department can try it and generally try to make my life as easy as possible for those first two weeks back! If anyone has a Desmos lesson they’ve used that they want to share with me as an example let me know... 🤣 happy to share anything back!

Hi. Awake for an hour or so for some reason. I also need to sort the house but don't want to wake ds. Might take the dog out for a walk while the world's still sleeping

Thanks staff.

I've had a deep sleep but pinged awake at 5:30 for some reason.

Still achey so going to re start running that seemed to slip about 3 weeks ago and see if that helps with all these hormone issues.

Also need to look at stockings. Lost my list and feel I need some extras eg bubble Bath.

Just checking in , been up an hour or so with this damned cough.

Really sorry for all of you who are tier 4 , I think allowing yourself a wallow period is perfectly justified.

I'm still stunned we're in tier 2. Doubt we'll stay there long as the tide of south east is at our toes.

Sorry about your cough starry. How have you been feeling?

It's nice outside. Still dark but birds singing. If it wasn't holidays now I'd be gutted about lost sleep when there was an opportunity for a lie in.

I am sitting in the dark downstairs with just my tree lights on. I like this time of day best when no one else is up.

It was so nice outside piggy. I love early morning too.

Hello again Katherine! Pull up a chair

I’m probably going to work on altering some of my year 7 lessons so they are more remote learning friendly. I teach every year group so need to spread it out a bit!

Honey yeah I’m doing much better thanks , just need to get rid of this cough but heard it can linger for weeks.

Yes piggy it is very peaceful being the only one up in the house.

Sorry about your cough starry. You’ve had a really tough time of it.

@MrsHercYulePoirot happy to share, will DM you some links (as long as I can do it from my phone).

I see this morning our children need to eb in school has resurrected itself.

What really annoys me about the tier 4/3 schools wording is the government even puts in black and white that children need to be in school 'so that parents can work'. OK, we get the practicalities but I am not sure in the midst of a public health crisis that that needs to be something printed and put out there as a driver for decision making.

Or be even!!

Lying here listening to the birds.

Sending love to those in tier 4. All DH'S family and my dsis are now tier 4. Leaves me and my parents in tier 3. Spoke to my dm and we are going to be her support bubble so I can visit her when I like. They are both CEV and my dad is disabled so by visiting I mean driving for 2 hours to sit on a camping chair on their patio and speak at a distance of far more than 2m to be extra, extra careful but at least they will see DS from a distance. We'll have to be a bit creative over toilet arrangements as I won't be going in their house. I feel like I am one of the lucky ones to even be able to do this. What a shit year!

This may not happen though as DH got messages yesterday from 2 of his department who have tested positive, another has tested negative and a fourth is awaiting results. Dh thinks he has kept his distance from them enough. However, I did a mad dash to get the Christmas food shop done as cupboards were end of term bare. Finishing anything else I need to leave the house for this morning so we are ready just in case.

I feel like the term is over ease is palpable on here this morning

Good morning!

I’m also the only one up and about - it’s a rare moment of peace for me!

Summoning the energy to face the supermarket as soon as it opens - shopping for us as well as a neighbour whose primary age DS tested positive on Friday, putting the whole family into isolation over Christmas.

I’ve got a very domestic day ahead. I never get a chance to do a proper clean in term time (please tell me it isn’t just me?!) so the first two days of the holiday are always spent blitzing the house.

to all those in tier 4 and struggling.

[quote Hercwasonasnowball]@MrsHercYulePoirot happy to share, will DM you some links (as long as I can do it from my phone).[/quote]
Thanks! Am keen to use bur would love some real examples to inspire me!

Definitely not just you Harriet! Always do a good thorough cleaning at the start of every holiday!

@TheHoneyBadger

I feel like the term is over ease is palpable on here this morning

Agree. Nice to have company also so early!

I had to work on one of my days off on Friday to deliver some refresher remote teaching training and help everyone prepare in the few hours they had. Do now feel like I definitely won’t be contacted by anyone to work now until January ok days I don’t work/get paid so that’s a bonus 🤣

herc would you mind sharing with me as well? I'd be very grateful.

Harriet I never get to do a proper clean during term time either. It's definitely not just you. The difference is, I'm not convinced I want to do a proper clean now either. I kind of feel like there's not much point if nobody's allowed in to see my cleaning efforts . We keep on top of the kitchen and bathroom, and hoover about once a week (sometimes less), but anything more than that just doesn't get done. Once the pandemic is over I'm getting a cleaner!!

We have a cleaner - but I’ve just cancelled her for next two weeks as just don’t want anyone in house. Have paid her though still as don’t want her to be missing out! Deffo need a sort and a clean and my kids are excited because they can leave all their lego out everywhere in their rooms 😂 I’ll probs regret it by weds... 🤣

End of term ease definitely. I'm exhausted and worried but feel calmer. The term time living between two alternate realities (one keep away from everyone, the other loads of people up as close as you could get in my primary classroom) had my subconscious screaming danger, alert and scrambling my thoughts. For the next 2 weeks I get to be in control of my own personal space.

Morning. My youngest woke at 5.15 this morning and is now grumpy.
Big hugs to tier 4/3 people

I had my first week back lessons all planned and worksheets photocopied etc.
I am not going to look at rejigging things until after boxing Day. Might have a play with desmos though!

Cleaning is one job for today. This year I'm not too fussed for doing it early on. No one is visiting so dribs and drabs will be fine. Ordinarily I'd do a big clean in preparation for Christmas visitors.

Plans changed here. Childcare bubble with my parents is now our Christmas. Siblings from tier 4 are staying put. Right decision but still hurts.

Struggling to get annoyed about the people on trains. The ones to blame here are the government.