The Fifty Seventh Republic - the joy of bank holiday marking

[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 non-staff as it attracts the wrong sort of crowd.

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 do wear a mask

Rule, you sound amazing!

Depressingly and quite shamefully, I'm not really reading anything at the moment. I have a stack of books that I'm itching to read but they'll have to wait until the holidays.

I do lots of audio books too. Sometimes I'm 'reading' by listening lazily. In the car or on walks or on treadmills.

passionate about social justice, confident to speak out and challenge, happy to engage in open dialogue about race and racism and strong advocates for our pupils

Fab work, Rule! Sounds like you'll be a real asset to the project.

@RuleWithAWoodenFoot

I do lots of audio books too. Sometimes I'm 'reading' by listening lazily. In the car or on walks or on treadmills.

Me too. I listen to more books than I actually read at the minute. Love an audiobook in the car. I listen to an eclectic mix of "what's available on the borrowbox app". Currently listening to "the chain" which seems to be a thriller.

Audiobooks are another matter - I've usually got one of those on the go. Just started Mary Beard's Pompeii but keep nodding off and having to relisten to the same chapter again! (To clarify; I listen to them in bed rather than whilst driving!)

What audiobook apps are good? I'm only really familiar with Audible but was never sure if it was good value for money.

@HarrietDVane

I missed Jan's withdrawn comment, so I'm choosing to believe that it was peppered with the foulest expletives imaginable

Poor lovely Jan 😂

@DreamingofBrie

What audiobook apps are good? I'm only really familiar with Audible but was never sure if it was good value for money.

My local library uses borrowbox. You have to register using your library card, then you can borrow audiobooks for free. I love it. I do have an audible subscription too but never spend more than the one book a month. Obviously once you've got a book on there you keep it, but I don't tend to listen to them again.

I really should try Borrowbox..... thanks for the prompt!

Yep, we use Borrowbox for the child's books. I have an audible subscription too - half used for me, half used for child in emergencies when I just need her to be quiet in the car! We've listened to The Faraway Tree SO MANY TIMES.

@HarrietDVane

I missed Jan's withdrawn comment, so I'm choosing to believe that it was peppered with the foulest expletives imaginable

Me too. Definitely also pretending I’m not desperate to know 🤣🤣🤣

Looping back - no piggy definitely don't have to go back as far Stephen Lawrence case for racism I was just thinking of key cases and turning points and it was the anniversary of his death about a week ago and we were looking at in school.

Similarly we were doing about the Sacco and Vanzetti case and the mass protests recently as one of those key cases that caught the public's eye and made people realise how unjust the legal system was and linking that forward to events more recently in USA that made people take to the streets.

It may well be that my school is pretty good on this stuff and so I don't recognise the idea of a vacuum where education about racism and power needs to be. I obviously don't know what it's like in other schools but when I see people saying schools should look at x, y and z it's always things we already do obviously others may not.

Non teaching day today and I'm mostly elevating my ankle and watching the rain so far.

Have you got your wobble board yet Honey? I’m so cold today; meant to be going to a pub garden tomorrow evening, not sure it’s very appealing at the moment....

Honey did you get your vaccine sorted? I remember you asked about it a while back. I would absolutely take time off work if needed to get one.

I broke a bit yesterday evening. Our HOD went through the ridiculous moderation process our MAT is using and it just tipped me over the edge for a while. I called in sick this morning and felt so guilty about it, but there is no way in hell I could cope in school today. Not sure whether it would come out in tears or anger, but neither would be good news...

Sorry to hear that Hobnob - hope the day off helps.

It was yesterday I posted about the vaccine appointment. I've emailed the business manager asking for advice as I'd need to miss one lesson but if I cancel it I don't know when I'd get offered again etc. Will see what she says.

Jan yes I have and the ankle support - am making use of both. Compression with the support and elevation seems to be working well.

I'm crazy tired today - keep feeling my eyes closing.

Sorry to hear that hobnob. Go easy on yourself today

Sorry to hear hobnob it’s such a horrible process. Our school is all over the place with it. Take the time you need.

honey take the appointment and be covered. It’s a medical appointment and it’s important you go - my school would allow this no problem and I would put in the cover request no problem.

Sorry you had a rough day yesterday, HobNob - I hope that the day off today gives you some headspace.

Honey, a few of my colleagues have had bad reactions to the jab and been off sick afterwards - I hope your school is understanding.

Marking and planning today, it's all caught up with me. It's been a draining week emotionally and I have a full day of lessons plus duties tomorrow. I don't want to say much as I'm always worried about being spotted online. I think I'm going to need reserves of fortitude to get to half term.

Sorry to hear that hobnob. You have to look after yourself at the end of the day. We're all replaceable to a school, but we aren't replacable to our families and our health has to be our priority.

honey take the appointment. It's medical and it's for your own health.

This pandemic has highlighted that there's a systemic problem when countless teachers are worrying about putting their own health first. It's no wonder so many are leaving.

Had a reply saying it’s fine and important to get staff vaccinated. It should only be one lesson I miss.

☀️ is actually shining here.

@TheHoneyBadger

Had a reply saying it’s fine and important to get staff vaccinated. It should only be one lesson I miss.

☀️ is actually shining here.

Good news. Glad you're sorted for the jab. My 2nd jab is scheduled for July.

Sorry to hear that the moderation is feeling like the last straw @HobnobbingAboutHobnobs

Ds likes me to watch his sports lesson. I am currently sitting in the car making an important work call (actually eating chocolate and reading phone nonsense in the sunshine). I will go and watch the second half but just needed a few minutes of silence.

It looks like snow all over the ground here, but it's actually hail. Very strange weather indeed

Long Eaton secondary with 100 cases closed... yup, 100:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-56988415