The Thirty-Fifth Republic - Covid - the gift that keeps on giving even during the Christmas Break

[SantaAssociationRepresentitve]

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

Is there even a meeting today?

The Daily Fiction is suggesting that Gav will be meeting with teachers and unions today, but as he’s never done that before, I find it highly unlikely.

Lol... mine's updated to this...

How many times have they changed that headline?! Bonkers.

www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/28/coronavirus-michael-gove-reopening-englands-schools-will-involve-trade-offs

Guardian being very, uh, guarded about the return of schools.

In tier 4 areas, I am not sure what trade offs there are left to make! Everything else is shut!

Unless they mean trade offs within school like mask wearing?

The DF clearly is trying all headlines until one is correct!

Well, obviously MrsH we all egged you on.

I’m really pissed off about Gove saying anything about schools. Where the hell is Gavin?

I actually think noble mind controlled me.

There definitely seems to be a meeting today (has no sources to hand though....!)

Have noticed (if you check their website obsessively) Beeb do this too, keep basically same article up with some small bit added and headline sometimes changed.

Has anyone made a "where the fuck is Gavin?" song yet? Because if they haven't, someone needs to!

Has the government actually given enough detail for schools to plan this mass testing process?

My blood pressure is really rising reading those. I need to stay off Twitter, too.

Some of the Us/Them bollocks is awful to read. There was a reply to Stephen Drew on Twitter saying they have zero influence with the government and that there are plenty of risk benefits to keeping schools open. Why, then, are they meeting with politicians?! And we KNOW there are benefits to being in school. We just want some protection, as offered to every other worker in England.

I really hate this situation. I gotta step away, really.

Not sure what trade offs? Maybe if all 20-40 year olds agree to hold their breath Monday to Friday 9-3 then schools can go back safely?

30 essays marked and recorded and I've filled in spreadsheets on year 8s engagement with remote learning.

Can I have a drink now? Maybe even a fancy sippy drink like Baileys and Cointreau over ice?

I've read two novels in the last couple of days. I've not read any books since the summer so that has been nice.

R4 World at One leaning towards schools not safe and have just had a head on explaining why the testing isn't going to be ready.

@MrsChristmasHamlet

I actually think noble mind controlled me.

😈

Derren Brown has nothing on me.

@DecemberStar

R4 World at One leaning towards schools not safe and have just had a head on explaining why the testing isn't going to be ready.

Well, Matt Hancock (on Andrew Marr last week) was very scathing about a Head Teacher who had said testing was an impossible task in schools, and said they were wrong because he knew a Head who was getting ready. He also said that it was not unreasonable for Heads to work throughout the Christmas period, as NHS do without complaint (although of course, they are paid). I had been feeling almost sorry for him up until that point (as he looked ashen-faced and exhausted), but it evaporated then.

I just need to offload about my DM to take everyone's mind off things.

For context, I received a very pretty card from here this year. For added context, I ahve received no gifts, she hasn't thanked me for what I sent her (other than the card which she likes) , and has not sent birthday or Christmas presents to my DSs for about 12 years...

So, since last night she has been bombarding with unconnected emails whining about:

1)the 'horrible' gift she got form her DSis who she won't be seeing as normal this tear so I expect my aunt sent her some stuff. This includes a nightgown , magnetic bookmarks and something else : I am sure my aunt gave this thought and she is mega rich so it will have been expensive

2. The fact that my DF (divorced for THIRTY YEARS) only sent her an e card this year and how thoughtless this is. Especially since my MIL sent her an actual card.

I suspect an email has been sent to my DSis whining about the book I sent her!!

I have actually bitten and stuck up for my DF (not that he always deserves it) because he has no spleen so is shielding. Tbh he leaves everything to his own DW (including gifts for me and his GC ) and she is suffering from depression so haven't been out. Wider MN would have a field day with an Ex DW who expects current DW to organise ex DH's Christmas cards and gifts to her!!

If you remember my DM was very ill lately so she is annoyed they haven't asked after her , I guess.

Rant over!

Oh dear, it’s good she feels well enough to complain about everyone’s efforts, I suppose? Sounds very wearing!

@noblegiraffe

I've read two novels in the last couple of days. I've not read any books since the summer so that has been nice.

I’ve started a notebook full of thoughts on what I have read and I am determined to start on the 50 Books thread on here as soon as it begins.

@DecemberStar

R4 World at One leaning towards schools not safe and have just had a head on explaining why the testing isn't going to be ready.

Who was the head?

I heard the president of the NEU-who is a current secondary head-interviewed on Jeremy Vine in the last week of term and he was very good.

Didn't catch his name I'm afraid..

READING IS THE BEST!

Presume you know about the Stately Homes threads piggy....

Some people just love moaning.

Uhuh
Uhuh
Oh that's terrible
Uhuh
Uhuh
What's that, you haven't got any friends left?
Can't think why
Uhuh
Uhuh

That sounds shit piggy offload away.