The Fifty-first republic - twice weekly tests and wear masks at all time till Easter

[StaffRepFeistyClub]

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.

Do not give the staffroom password to others 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. Do not sit on the chairs and wear a mask.

I read like that phlebas It's very helpful for marking a lot, quickly!

DH says I don't read anything properly phleb.

I only ever read one book at a time though!

Some fantastic recommendations there! I love reading but so rarely get the time to do things real justice these days. I binge read through the holidays and subsist on audiobooks the rest of the time. It's not the same though.

I think you might be missing 'how to be right' by James O'Brien and '52 times Britain was a bellend' by James Felton to complete your woke booklist.

What you've described there is largely the non-edu section of my twitter feed.

@RandomGrammarPun

Yes, it does look like the bookshelf equivalent of inserting the phrase "my black, gay disabled friend said the other day..." 😂

...into every conversation... " was meant to be on the end of this sentence.

No one asking the children’s minister about school safety? I’ve got a question but I think you’re only allowed one.

Oh I've read both James O'Brien's recent ones, and the Bellend one. Over Xmas. Ordered Jews Don't Count today.

I'm reading Jews Don't Count next (when I've finished Michelle Paver's Wakenhyrst - outstanding so far). I think this may count as anti-woke (the Baddiel)?

I am the world's fastest reader (possibly tied with my DD who seems to have inherited it!

I never read adult stuff nowadays (and would never read non-fix for pleasure, I'll admit). All YA or possibly classics. I do not read nearly as much as I should for my job. Altho am very good at dipping into new books am processing and getting a feel for them.

I feel like there ought to be a question about masks and what Gibb said about them being optional, noble. That could definitely do with clarifying.

I want to know what they will be looking for in terms of school infection data when they review whether mask wearing will continue after Easter and whether further mitigation measures could be introduced.

But I already asked about exams.

That is a good question.

I suspect the answer will be disappointing though.

Yes, I was thinking about this dichotomy: if infection rates in secondary schools are low by Easter, they'll ditch masks? But they might be low because OF masks? But how would we know?

(I made that point re masks and figures on here a few days ago!)

Ask the schools minister, Jan!!

I'm thinking it's most likely that they've said they'll look at it again and want to keep it vague as to what they're looking for. Because they know they'll need to keep it but are too afraid of U4T/CRG to announce that.

Which takes us back to teacher recruitment has increased a bit for the first time in nearly a decade so we'll cancel all incentives

Very boris et al.

I'm not reading I'm watching White House Farm on Netflix.

I used to read in the bath and let water out and top up with hot water as it cooled at least 3 times. Pre motherhood obviously

Ok will do!

Children's minister. Schools minister is Nick and he'd never come on here.

I didn't even know we had a children's minister.

I started reading that Ramble Book that Rule recommended on here over half term, but I really struggle to read during term time.

I was a bit sad to find out he didn't really get on with Baaad Daaad. I loved Baaad Daaad.

@JanFebAnyMonth

(I made that point re masks and figures on here a few days ago!)

Sorry, Jan!

Because they know they'll need to keep it

Interesting Jan, my feeling is that they'll ditch it.

dreaming I taught myself to knit in lockdown 1, having crocheted for years. I followed all the tutorials from sheepandstitch.com/how-to-knit/ and can now knit a decent blanket square. Then I got bored and wandered away from knitting. I'm now on diamond painting, watercolours and painting by numbers when I get time. All lovely and calming.

I'm always in awe of those who can knit, am currently crocheting an infinity scarf after making a pocket shawl. Finding its something I can do to keep my hands busy when feeling anxious.

@noblegiraffe

Because they know they'll need to keep it

Interesting Jan, my feeling is that they'll ditch it.

You could be right but it seems a heck of a lot of faff and standing up to U4T etc for 3 weeks? Unless it was the only way they could get Whitty to support reopening or something??