The 69th Staff Republic

[TheHoneyBadger]

Just in time for the Christmas break. As it's the holidays we're allowed chairs and everything. I believe even buffets are permitted currently? No going to see Bond films though obviously.

Stolen from previous threads…
'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.'

That's true. I know if I go back tomorrow I'll struggle. Doing simple things leaves me breathless at the moment.

Good luck to everyone who is returning tomorrow and to those of you who are starting your half term!

I got covid last week and am still testing positive, so can't return tomorrow. I've spent most of today dealing with feelings of guilt (I'm not the only member of the department who's off sick). Have set cover work and although I'm not 100%, I'm probably 75% so hoping for a negative test tomorrow morning. I've spent most of the last week unwell though, so feel thoroughly unprepared .

@Proudplantowner

That's true. I know if I go back tomorrow I'll struggle. Doing simple things leaves me breathless at the moment.

I wouldn't have been able to go right back the couple days after I was released, luckily I had Christmas to recover, but I think it must be usual for people to need an extra bit of time to recover.

@9pmcouchnaps

Thanks for replying - I do seem to be doing a lot of planning - I think I probably need to force myself to do less/use existing resources more - a couple of weeks back I was making myself “just” use the textbook and it went fine, but now I seem to be back to trying to create all sorts of “fancier” stuff. Need a balance between the two I think.

That is mostly the way our evenings go, problem is as soon as I finish working, I fall asleep. And this weekend I’ve fallen asleep on the couch before 9 both nights, leaving the husband apparently lonely and fed up!

@9pmcouchnaps

My experience as an NQT/RQT similar.

It does get a little easier. I got into a cycle of doing the planning for a series of lessons at once (on a Friday night whilst listening to Pete Tong 😅) after the week finished and I was on a high of adrenaline and had all of what needed to be done next fresh in my head. I would just bosh out the lessons for next week. WARNING: make sure you definitely save/ back up what you have done in this tired state. Also note down what you have done as it is possible to forget and plan a lesson all over again! Tired on Sat am but then Sat and Sunday would feel awesome and also I would only need minor tweaks in the evenings/marking (lucky to be a low marking subject). It's so hard. Your husband sounds good as is mine but they do get pissed off with endless time where their partner just is not "there" even when there.

Try and cut corners wherever possible to try and claw back a bit of a life. A mix of textbook lessons with a bit of discussion and other more time consuming lessons is a good plan. The planning several lessons in a row helps with this a lot as you can view them all at once. If poss repeat for different year groups with a bit of tweaking. It will get better. Also the fact that you do everything in the school holidays is a big thing and he can focus more on work. Good luck!

Checking in to say hi, that half term went way too quickly!
How many days til Easter hols?

7 weeks for us
Or maybe that's

Hi everyone, thank you for your support last week. My doctor signed me off and gave me steroids which really helped. However, he signed me off until and including March 1st. I've just had to email my head and deputy head because, according to the school calendar, I am back in tomorrow. Hopefully they pick up their emails, but it is just unnecessary stress when you are still a bit poorly and nobody has actually looked at what my doctor's note has said. I'm hoping I don't receive a call at half 8 tomorrow asking where I am.

Proudplantowner, you take care 💐

Did you go back in, @Proudplantowner ?
I hope you are ok if so. Remember you could speak to your doctor again if not

Thank you @winewolfhowls. @Mistressiggi I went back in today. I was worried as I didn't get any sleep last night (always the case when I have been away form work for a while) but actually it was a really nice day. I'm glad there are only two days left of the week though!

I have no words.

He is being knighted for failing to do his job?

@Mistressiggi

He is being knighted for failing to do his job?

Apparently so.

Also think he was awful at MOD too. He must have something really bad on Boris!

What the hell?? Maybe when the queen hears his annoying little voice she'll change her mind.

Had a milestone retirement moment, the one where all the days run together.

This weekend is the Labour Day weekend, with Monday off. I had no idea until a neighbour asked me to be on standby for their house/dogs sitter in case it all goes pear-shaped. When working it would have been cause for planning outings and trying not to do marking.:o

It's been a lovely Melbourne autumn, the best season of the year (unlike last year!) warm days and cool evenings and mornings.

It sounds like you are enjoying yourself @echt and that is exactly how it should be! Have you managed to shake the Sunday night feeling as well?

That sounds great echt!

There's nothing like that feeling of waking up on Sunday, knowing you have the Monday off, is there? A real thrill snuggling back down. Because my retirement backed on to the summer break, the new term arrived without me really being aware of it, so had forgotten the Sunday evening heartsink.

So, no peaks, but then no troughs either.

Just thought I’d bump this with a Happy (belated) Easter to all.

Happy Easter to all! Back to the grind!

Happy Easter!

It feels really nice to go back to school now that it isn't dark when I wake up, I forgot how nice summer term is!

Back to it tomorrow! I know that some of you have been back a week already but really feeling it this morning. Year 6 and SATs looming. That will be what it is - I am more worried about the writing assessments - I've really tried but it's not where I'd want it to be. Everything seems to have taken ages this year and so much absence. I am still picking up capital letters and full stops! No way we are relaxing after SATs. Gah. Just don't want to get out of bed!

Happy long weekend, everyone! Hope you're having a good one. Only one week until our Y11s and Y13s go on study leave. I've had my Y13 form for five years now and I think I'm in danger of shedding a tear on Friday.

How is the collective?

I'm out of the game now, being recently retired, but think of you often; solidarity in Covid times. How silent all the objectors are. How clearly it showed schools as a convenience for parents, for the most part. How little the concern about larger issues, such as funding.
Chin up ✊

Oh, it is an empty staffroom! Damn.
Where are you all?
I think I have covid but have no tests.
Problem is colleagues, who are positive atm, have been in masked.
I could not have gone in yesterday, have slept all Sunday, will probably drag myself in today - am scared others will criticise if I don't.
Show must go on and all that...but this is why I am sick.
just wanted to vent.