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The staffroom

Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

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

999 replies

StaffRepFeistyClub · 12/05/2021 00:04

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

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JanFebAnyMonth · 22/05/2021 11:37

School nurse maybe for Y6 with anxiety issues, sometimes they’re really good?

You might want to hear in mind that if they speak to the nurse/a counsellor whilst in primary, you get told what’s said (to an extent). If in secondary, not a hope unless some really big risk emerges. I wish I’d known this.

borntobequiet · 22/05/2021 11:37

I’ve been on HTR in one form or another for about 20 years now and have absolutely no intention of stopping it. It kept me sane in my late 40s and 50s and I’m certain is a factor in my being able to work nearly full time until recently. I have an interview for a more part time job next week that is an almost perfect for for my skill set so here’s hoping...🤞

lonelyplanet · 22/05/2021 13:11

@MsAwesomeDragon

She then tried to divide the bigger number by 11 using short division but it wouldn’t work I would use short division for dividing by 11, because most of them know their 11 times table so it's quicker. I teach long division in year 7, then we mostly forget about it til A Level (brief recap while revising for GCSEs in case they need it, but nothing much). I can't think of a single reason why I would ever use long division anywhere other than a classroom, as we would all get our calculators out in real life (I use my calculator a lot more now than I ever used to, because I have one available all the time)
I would also teach year 6s to do short division for dividing by 11 or 12. Many children prefer it with bigger numbers too, if they are confident with the multiples. For long division I always get them to write out the multiples first as it makes the calculation easier. Long division is required for ks2 but is a waste of time as in real life - you'd get out a calculator. Not many adults remember how to do it!
The Fifty-Eight Republic - Do no masks mean that Sports Day will take place?
HarrietDVane · 22/05/2021 13:15

Secondary school maths terrifies me. The things DD1 studied for GCSE (and which await DD2 soon) are way above anything I ever studied, and I know I took the higher paper.

TheHoneyBadger · 22/05/2021 14:12

Good luck born!

Thanks for all the sharing about peri emotions. Yes please to advice on how to get what you want Rule as you’ve done well to get that combo and it’s what I would like too and know it can be a struggle.

On the anxiety front there’s been loads of good advice but one thing that may be helpful and give her a tool is to explore the worst case scenario. As in ok so what’s the worst that could happen and what would we do then? Eg the house explodes, we live in temporary accommodation that might be a bit shit till the insurance comes through and we buy a new house. Or if we lost our jobs and our homes omg we’d have to go and live with grandma and eat eat overcooked vegetables every day.

You can do best, worst and most likely outcome exploration of things you’re/they’re anxious about. I think we try to steer away from thinking about the worst case scenario but actually leaning into it and realising even if that happened there’d be a solution can sort of reassure and close the anxiety. Not sure if that makes sense.

I’ve done an hour on the treadmill so feeling pretty good.

RuleWithAWoodenFoot · 22/05/2021 14:53

Go to your GP with a list of symptoms (written down so you don't forget or get emotional), a list of last periods/times between them.

Also take a print out of the NICE guidelines on menopause so they don't try to fob you off with anti-depressants or similar. Highlight the bits that apply to you, and make sure they know that you've read them.

If you're over 45 you don't need a blood test or anything else to 'prove' you're menopausal, just your symptoms. If you're under 45 they might offer a FHS test, but it's only good for that moment - everything fluctuates, so a bit meaningless.

Ask specifically for the medications you want. Oestrogel and tostran. The coil was for contraception, but just progesterone, so you might be able to take pills instead. I didnt want to use patches, but some of my mates have preferred them to the gel. You'll probably have to do the O and P combo before they'll let you try T. The O and P might fix your issues.

I saw my own female GP who told me I wasn't menopausal, she told me I didn't need anything because was too young. I waited 3 months then went back to see a different GP at the same practice. She told me the same thing, i made her look up the age for FSH test - i was under 45, she relunctantly agreed. Had test, got result. Off the scale menopausal - not peri, but fully done. She told me that HRT side effects for me would be 'death' from blood clots. I cried.

Booked another appt 2 months later with my NICE guidelines (I did a lot of reading, Liz Earle was the place to go), I waited for an hour then was told sorry the Dr had gone on an emergency. I lost my shit. Cycled straight round to a different practice and joined.

A month later I saw a male 50+ year old GP. Was not hopeful. He was fricking ace, I loved him! He gave me a referral to the menopause clinic to check that I could take it with my blood condition. I could choose where I went, so went to 'the' one near me - had to wait 4 months for that appt. When I walked in, before I even sat down she said 'ok, you can have HRT, so breathe out and we'll have a proper chat about what you want.'

Sorted. Already had sorted myself out with a mirena coil by this point, but got the oestrogel. Had regular blood tests to check levels until I settled at a sensible bone protecting level. Had testosterone after 6 months when no increase in libido.

Hot flushes and brain fog went within 6 weeks. Libido still comes and goes a bit, lockdown hasnt helped with that!

Have been told to stay on it for 10 years minimum. Breast cancer and blood clots are in my family, so I'm paying for private mammograms once a year.

If I was starting now I'd go in fully armed and not ask for advice. I'd just say what I wanted.

lonelyplanet · 22/05/2021 15:07

Same experience here with HRT. If your gp is anything like the ones at my surgery, they won't have a clue. Go prepared with as much knowledge as you can and tell them what you want. I've now booked a private appointment at a menopause clinic because my dose isn't right and the gps are clueless. Including the female ones.

TheHoneyBadger · 22/05/2021 15:13

Thank you rule. I’m 45 so good to hear I don’t have to piss about with inconclusive blood tests. I still have periods but are a bit irregular now and sometimes more like spotting than a period. I don’t need contraception and am a bit scared of progesterone as the mini pill made me crazy but I know it offsets the risk of estrogen or something. I do want testosterone as I’m so achy and if I continue with literally zero sex drive I will be single forever more. Not necessarily bothered by that but I’d like it to be a choice rather than inevitable itms

I don’t have night sweats but horrible hot flushes in the day. I piled on weight in early 40’s and it’s incredibly hard to shift. Natural products have improved sweats and fluster attacks a bit but not enough. Been like this for a few years now.

Appuskidu · 22/05/2021 15:17

Can I ask a lesson obs question for primary bods? I’m not class-based so am out of the loop! What is now considered ‘must haves’? 3 part/5 part lesson, mini-plenaries, must show progress or new learning within a 10 second time frame (Grin) etc or have things moved on a bit now??

borntobequiet · 22/05/2021 15:21

Honey, I’m progesterone intolerant (Utrogestan made me really ill) but can manage the Mirena coil. There’s less progesterone and it’s relatively localised. So the gel + Mirena might work for you.

phlebasconsidered · 22/05/2021 15:53

For long division, I only get my 6's to do it if the number is prime. Otherwise we just use bus stop and factors, it's SO MUCH easier! Most adults I know don't recognise that you can just divide by 2 factors. You don't need to divide by 18, say, just 3 and then 6.

MrsHerculePoirot · 22/05/2021 15:58

@phlebasconsidered I’ve just done similar with my Y7s... I asked their preferred method and they said for dividing by 17 for example they would write out the 17s on the right using repeated addition then use that to do the long short division.

We’ve done factors and so showed the way you do and they loved it!

Piggywaspushed · 22/05/2021 16:47

When all that RIDDOR stuff came out loads of MATs took legal advice. There were lawyers on her, on Twitter and in education press basically telling heads and governors that it would be impossible ever to prove infection at work.

DreamingofBrie · 22/05/2021 16:48

Most adults I know don't recognise that you can just divide by 2 factors. You don't need to divide by 18, say, just 3 and then 6.

Love that Phlebas, and probably easier to explain than using equivalent fractions!

motherrunner · 22/05/2021 16:55

Tha is for the tip @phlebas! I only achieved ‘c’ at GCSE ((in 1995!) so I find it challenging to now help DD who at 9 is surpassing me!

Mistressinthetulips · 22/05/2021 17:05

@phlebasconsidered

For long division, I only get my 6's to do it if the number is prime. Otherwise we just use bus stop and factors, it's SO MUCH easier! Most adults I know don't recognise that you can just divide by 2 factors. You don't need to divide by 18, say, just 3 and then 6.
I did not know this, and have spent the last few minutes trying out numbers to prove to myself that it works. Ds will be very happy Smile
WhenSheWasBad · 22/05/2021 17:44

rule

So pleased you got referred for your menopausal symptoms. Many GPs are shit at treating menopause.

I’ve got the progesterone coil for contraception, the second I start to get symptoms I’m going on HRT. Really hope my GP is good at treating women’s health issues. If I have to I’ll print out all the NICE guidance, but it really shouldn’t be a battle.

TheHoneyBadger · 22/05/2021 17:53

Getting HRT is sounding like trying to get UPS at my school Grin

RuleWithAWoodenFoot · 22/05/2021 17:56

the mini pill made me crazy but I know it offsets the risk of estrogen or something. I do want testosterone as I’m so achy

Same. You need progesterone if you have a uterus and are taking oestrogen. The mirena coil was a bother for about 6 months - i nearly got it taken out - but then it settled down. Those two sorted out lots of the aches etc, so they might do the job without testosterone.

TheHoneyBadger · 22/05/2021 17:58

In what way was it a bother Rule?

motherrunner · 22/05/2021 18:12

@RuleWithAWoodenFoot

the mini pill made me crazy but I know it offsets the risk of estrogen or something. I do want testosterone as I’m so achy

Same. You need progesterone if you have a uterus and are taking oestrogen. The mirena coil was a bother for about 6 months - i nearly got it taken out - but then it settled down. Those two sorted out lots of the aches etc, so they might do the job without testosterone.

The mini pill sent me crazy! I am on my second coil and couldn’t be happier... even if my nurse neighbour fits it!!
JanFebAnyMonth · 22/05/2021 18:15

Crikey am glad I don’t appear to have / had any peri/menopause symptoms. My periods just seem to be fading away at present......

JanFebAnyMonth · 22/05/2021 18:16

Also don’t have to bother about contraception....

HercwasanEnemyofEducation · 22/05/2021 18:18

Getting HRT is sounding like trying to get UPS at my school GrinGrin