The Sixtieth Republic - One half term to go - just need to survive Sports Day and Activities Week!

[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 for school staff to let off steam.

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. Finally, upload your covid test results twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays.

We've just met some friends at the beach. Children played without any proper supervision for 5 hours. All we had to do was supervise buoyancy aids on and off, and say 'go and see in the sea' when they wanted the toilet. Brilliant!

I've sunburnt an arm while out walking. Seems like the suncream didn't fancy working on that arm. Nothing says British summer like pasty blue/white skin with slightly pink patches.

@RafaIsTheKingOfClay

I've sunburnt an arm while out walking. Seems like the suncream didn't fancy working on that arm. Nothing says British summer like pasty blue/white skin with slightly pink patches.

Oh yes! Gardening here, but the same syndrome...

Some very uneven tanning going on around the neck line of my T-shirt too. Obviously not on the same side as the arm because that would make sense.

Dc1 tans like me- like youve got clothes on still.
She managed to get a burnt back in the pool in half term. I thought she would be underwater enough. Dp also burmt his arms too.
Im pale and starting to get i think sun spots already so need to be more careful all of us dont burn.
Dp just sweats off the lotion. I dont think we can really take the kids abroad somewhere sunny as if you miss a tiny area you are burnt.
Dp had a mole on his back looked at but they only do 1. He has hundreds we cant keep an eye on all them!

Child put her own suncream on today - no burned bits, bit of a miracle. She's got my skin though, not her dad's - which is lucky, he's a pasty ginger. I only put suncream on my face.

Had a lovely off the cuff trip out at 4pm today with the kids. Local splash pool, park and dinner out in the sun. Was lovely.

On the basis I marked 3 sets of assessments this week And did my photocopying for all of next week on Friday (thank you gained time!) I am treating myself to a long lie in tomorrow

Checking in, hello all. Ive had no luck with interviews this season, apparently my lesson at the indie WAS too boring, although other positives were said. I honestly would never have become a teacher if I knew you were penalised for experience, or for having (only 2) years off after having kids. Grrr
I've given up with soft play with my kids when I realised they were just as happy in a wood with a stick, its expensive around here so save quite a bit maybe its the teacher in me but the poor behaviour of other people's kids unsupervised winds me up. Its like Lord of the flies after about 40 minutes.

Has anyone seen the smoking near school thread?

DH is worse about suncream than toddler - I have to use that P20 stuff on him because he will only agree to have it done once. Conversely, toddler loves suncream and really enjoys rubbing it in! Luckily she has my skin type (tans easily, doesn't burn too much) rather than DH's (white to red then back to white).

winewolf just read it. Not sure what to make of it...

Must be a joint surely?!

Bloody hate sun cream, and i compound this by always accidentally buying the clear spray one and without exception spraying it into my own eyes or hair. I do use a lot though because I burn easily.

Just came off this thread, it's a strange rule to say the least. Ee have staff who go for a walk and smoke on their lunch break away from the school.

As for sunscreen I have to use factor 50 as burn so easily and reapply lots. Used to get laughed for how quickly I'd burn on lunch duty until it happened and I wasn't allowed to do the playground any more.

I call bollocks.

On the fag, not the sunscreen, although FWIW , I tan easily! Apart from my scalp which burns, annoyingly, as I hate wearing hats.

That smoking thread has been taken down.

Oh, don't worry wine, I am penalised for taking no time off (other than mat leave obviously) and never going part time! Apparently , this makes a woman 'cold'.

We simply cannot win.

wine

I returned after a short (in the UK) mat leave of 6 months. I had so many comments about how cold/cruel I was to leave my baby. I needed to work so my baby had a roof over its head!

I get comments now about how it's impossible to work and have small children (mostly from other women tbh). I'm not sure they even realise what they're saying. I either blindly ignore or make a total deadpan "yes I'm completely failing".

That's interesting herc as I never know how to respond!

There was a woman I worked with who was a great teacher/HOF and eventually AH and everyone openly admired her. She had one young child and a SAHP. I couldn't help but roll my eyes. She herself though happily admitted that this was the major contribution to her progressing in her career whilst still doing the 'right thing'by her child in lots of people's eyes. It's a minefield.

I needed to work so my baby had a roof over its head!

Also taboo - I wanted to work.

Checking in before I start work for the day again. I'm nearly there. 3 more weeks. Moderation and observation went well, and I passed my last essay 🎉🎉🎉

Today I need to sort planning for the week and get my evidence finished to hand in. I am just about existing on fumes and caffeine but need a final push to get me to next week.

In other news, still no idea which year group I'll get next year. Also I'm feeling very sad about leaving my placement class, I'm so attached! I well up everytime I think about it. Want to get them a little something when I go but not sure what? Also what to get my mentor? They're amazing and have got me through all the rubbish times. Card obviously but what else?

Sorry wine that sucks

Oh, don't worry wine, I am penalised for taking no time off (other than mat leave obviously) and never going part time! Apparently , this makes a woman 'cold'

What fresh madness is this. I’ll have to pull sickie, I’ve had virtually no time off this year (one day isolation waiting for a child’s Covid test).
I could do with a sickie, feels like it’s the only way I’ll catch up with the pile of work.

I went the other way and took 7 years off. Which impacted my career but was right for me. Stand DS next to peers whose mothers went back to work after maternity leave and you would be a long, long time playing Spot The Difference. Choose the right childcare and they will still get all they need in terms of secure bonding etc. Miserable parents who can’t pay the mortgage and/or miss the challenges of paid work aren’t doing anyone any favours.

I wanted to work too. Went on mat leave at 39 weeks, was back when she was 8 months. We'd done a house project when I was off and we ran out of money. Excuse to go back early. I hate not working. My parents are both still working full time in their mid 70s.

My child is still asleep. 8.45!

Want to get them a little something when I go but not sure what? Also what to get my mentor

Obviously this lot of going to recommend gin (although not for the kids)

Well done name getting through your training in the middle of a Covid year is an amazing achievement.