The Fifty-Eight Republic - Do no masks mean that Sports Day will take place?

[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

Flipping heck @RuleWithAWoodenFoot. Surely they have to provide cover for that kind of role just as they would a class teacher?

I honestly don't see how Step Three is going to change anything. My journey on public transport is packed every single day. The train station is heaving, more so than at pre-COVID times, with every man and his dog going away on weekend trips. There's no social distancing at all: I have people physically pushing passed me so the idea of even a metre distance has gone. There are masks but the numbers are falling more and more each week. People are acting as if it's all over already.

@SquashedFlyBiscuits

Evening all. Happy Friday to anyone still awake.

Dh's school have said that y11 will leave at half term but in t6 staff have to teach them online again. Full timetable. Live lessons. Does this count as most insane SLT decision of the week?

That seems mad. Teaching to those who are carrying on for A-level, or teaching existing groups? I agree, he will be teaching into a void. What a phenomenal waste of his time!

Pizza and beer here for us too. Wrote Y7's lessons for next week during Gogglebox, then went to bed. I slept from 4.30 - 7pm yesterday, I feel dead on my feet at the moment.

I am avoiding the news and any press conferences. I know it's not sensible, but I don't think I have the headspace for anything else at the moment. Going to crochet some Woolly Hugs squares this weekend and try to get some "no school" time.

I think your Dhs school are arse covering based on DfE guidance. I assume if no one attends they don't have to teach? The school are probably hoping the kids vote with their feet, but they've covered their back by providing education.

Although we are continuing with mask wearing, by close of play yesterday one child's parent had emailed to say that their son would not be wearing his. Allegedly, he is getting headaches from lack of oxygen . What do parents think they will achieve by pissing off the school in this way? We're just trying to keep everyone safe.

Allegedly, he is getting headaches from lack of oxygen

I'm hoping that science as a subject is going to get a massive investment now from the Government. The pandemic has definitely shown how scientifically illiterate a significant proportion of the general population is.

I honestly don't see how Step Three is going to change anything.

I think it depends on circumstances. Living quite rurally, not many people use public transport anyway and the hospitality sector is a source of income for loads of people. I think stage 4 feels like a huge positive step for me (Indian variant aside) because I can go into my friends' houses, meet up with people for coffee/a meal and go to toddler groups/soft play.

Iamnotthe1 your commute sounds less safe than school BTW, what a nightmare!

It definitely feels like that Hob. And that's even considering I teach Y6 so there have never been any real mitigations other than open windows.

Nice to see we are back to people moaning about their wfh time ending and how they should at least have their ‘second jab plus two weeks’ before they will even think about it!

Yet scrapping masks in schools for thousands of unvaccinated bodies is sensible because, you know.... u4t!

Just curious. What do people buy as retail therapy when they are low? I've just ordered loads of books for dc, but my other go tos would be yarn and gin .

I buy ridiculously overpriced yoga clothes, clothes in general, random gadgets and shit I see on Tiktok () and I’m thinking about starting a Le Creuset addiction.

Clothes. Shoes. I've got so many jersey dresses with pockets it's almost obscene.

Surely they have to provide cover for that kind of role

The H and DH are doing bits, but it's definitely a problem. Every so often she emails us from home saying 'send me your updated plans for x' or 'fill in this paperwork tonight for x meeting'. Which isn't going down well.

Shoes. Expensive shoes.

Retail therapy is books, gin and cross stitch.

Oh and nice soap/shampoo bars.

@HercwasanEnemyofEducation

Oh and nice soap/shampoo bars.

Me too. Love the Hebridean seaweed range from The Highland Soap Company!

@DreamingofBrie

Just curious. What do people buy as retail therapy when they are low? I've just ordered loads of books for dc, but my other go tos would be yarn and gin .

Books, yarn, dog toys, an actual dog , cooking implements from Lakeland because I got into baking in a big way last year. I’m on a quest to find the perfect all-surface polish that smells like lavender too.

Have you tried method, saucery? I can't stand lavender but the rhubarb one smells delicious!!

Another one here who had pizza dor tea last night, both dh and I were exhausted so we ordered in.

Last week has been exhausting and finding I'm getting grumpy with the children which isn't fair so hoping that I'll have a nice restful weekend and my patience will stay longer this week.

As for retail therapy, mine is craft stuff (yarn and cross stitch supplies), chocolate/cake or stationery.

Yes, MrsH the rhubarb one is my go-to for the kitchen and porch floors.

Supplements that are going to magically make me a thin energetic positive person, books that I haven't got time to read, jewellery, etc. Currently I'm 'watching' a scooter on Facebook that it is local to me. Would do me for going to the gym and such and would be there for ds to ride when he turns 16 (theory being if he gets roads sense on a scooter his driving lessons, which I've already put money aside for, won't be as bankrupting). Top retail therapy is flights.

I'm too fat to enjoy buying clothes at the minute.

I've just "spent" a thousand pounds on shoes I really want. Must. Not. Click. Buy.

You're joking? Blimey. They're shoes! That's a fetish lost on me I'm afraid. I could fly a long way on £1000.

Ffs I am getting really ticked off with companies using Covid as an execute for something not happening. AQA were totally shite yesterday handling a query - the first person was dreadful and it didn’t really improve. And this morning John Lewis. Yes I know about Covid but schools are in operation so it is high time businesses upped their game!

Dresses with pockets, plants and books are my comfort purchases.

Finally jabbed. I had the Pfizer. My arm feels heavy but I am prone to hypochondria so I'm trying not to attribute every normal little age-related twinge to the vaccine.