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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.

Original poster

The 69th Staff Republic

392 replies

TheHoneyBadger · 18/12/2021 11:26

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.'

OP posts:
JanglyBeads · 26/12/2021 13:29

@MrsHamlet

It started not long after. Bloody Doctor Foster
Grin
DollyMixtureLulus · 26/12/2021 15:22

Hope everyone had a lovely day yesterday. At least it's Sunday and none of us are going in tomorrow!

I am still running on adrenaline I think, definitely haven't come down to earth and switched off yet.

chocolateisavegetable · 26/12/2021 21:52

Hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas Xmas Smile

echt · 27/12/2021 07:34

I had a fab time with DD, and the seafood didn't deaded me.🍤🦪 I've attached a photo of the oysters starter.

Pre-retiring, I kept popping back to say my last...etc. I've thought of another; seeing those "Back To School" signs in shops (the long summer break here, so pertinent) will no longer give me the heart-sinking feeling I remember so well.

Several non-teaching friends have asked do I feel all relaxed and so on. No is the answer (though not wound-up). Retired ex-colleagues all confirm it takes a while to get into it, but I reckon I can handle it.:o

The 69th Staff Republic
MrsHamlet · 27/12/2021 09:37

So much greenery outside your window!

Mistressiggi · 27/12/2021 14:54

Oh yea the back to school signs!
Your table looks lovely Smile

echt · 27/12/2021 20:02

@MrsHamlet

So much greenery outside your window!
Yes. My house is on sloping ground, both from front to back and side to side so I have raised beds which, well, raise the plants. That side garden is all houseplants now I think go it: Swiss cheese plant, clivia, aspidistras, and bromeliads hanging from the fence, so green all year round.
namechangedyetagain · 28/12/2021 11:09

Hello thank you for thinking of me! I did make it to the end of term, but now I'm sat full of cold, staring into space stressing about next term. Already. I cannot believe how exhausted and run down I am. I literally want to sit in my pyjamas all day in silence.
I got through my ect progress point despite having two rubbish observations. This I need to work on as the HT never has anything good to say about me. Hey ho.

Have a block of science and RE still to plan before next Tuesday but absolutely no energy to do it with.

Really need to catch up with friends over the holiday, but again not much oomph to do it with.

namechangedyetagain · 28/12/2021 11:10

Forgot to say, I hope you all had a fab Christmas. Very jealous of the seafood lunch Xmas Envy

MrsHamlet · 28/12/2021 11:11

I got through my ect progress point despite having two rubbish observations. This I need to work on as the HT never has anything good to say about me. Hey ho.
Or maybe the head just isn't very nice? Do you have anyone else observing?

namechangedyetagain · 28/12/2021 11:44

@MrsHamlet

I got through my ect progress point despite having two rubbish observations. This I need to work on as the HT never has anything good to say about me. Hey ho. Or maybe the head just isn't very nice? Do you have anyone else observing?
No, nor have I received any written feedback. Others have popped in and seen glimpses here and there of both my input and the chn working as my door is always open.

Just exhausted at the minute even thinking about returning.

MrsHamlet · 28/12/2021 11:46

Ffs. Their induction procedure is shit!

MrsHamlet · 28/12/2021 11:53

If you're not being given written feedback, they're not meeting statutory requirements

The 69th Staff Republic
namechangedyetagain · 28/12/2021 19:43

Would that put my ECT at risk? Would I have to start the 2 years again?

Honestly not ready to go back. So many outing issues

MrsHamlet · 28/12/2021 22:37

No but it means they're not doing it right. The head is induction tutor, aren't they?
Do you have a named contact at the appropriate body?
Feel free to pm me if you'd rather not discuss it here

Philandbill · 30/12/2021 13:15

Hello all. Anyone else seen this? So much for the previous research saying we weren't at a higher risk. Data is from the Office for National Statistics. All those comments on threads saying we were lazy wimps... @noblegiraffe you were of course right
Sigh... And a half term ahead (at least) of trying to organise cover in classes. www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/school-staff-more-likely-catch-covid-other-workers

Mistressiggi · 30/12/2021 14:57

Thanks for the link, I hadn't seen that. Depressing reading

Fenelladepompom · 30/12/2021 20:28

Hopefully some of the mainstream media will pick this up.

CallmeHendricks · 30/12/2021 23:33

Nah, why would they? No one gives a shit.
Everyone wants schools open, and a fair proportion of those people want them open with zero mitigations.
So we're cannon fodder. In the words of a fair few posters I've seen recently, we just need to "suck it up."

CallmeHendricks · 30/12/2021 23:33

Or resign.
And the penny doesn't seem to have dropped on the consequences of that yet, either.

PumpkinPie2016 · 31/12/2021 08:52

Hi everyone ☺

I am rejoining here as have been somewhat absent for the last couple of months due to being crazy busy! I hope we are all well.

@namechangedyetagain it sounds like your school aren't doing a good job of supporting you. Having no feedback from observations is shocking!

@Philandbill it's a depressing read isn't it. I honestly don't think anything will change for us though Confused January is going to be mayhem in schools Sad Three of my team tested positive over the hols and I know a few more from across school did. Thankfully, none are seriously ill with it but it means their whole break has been spent feeling rough and they will be returning to work having not had a proper break!

It's a shame as this term, we have a lot of genuinely exciting work around teaching and learning that I can't wait to lead, but it feels so precarious at the moment!

borntobequiet · 31/12/2021 09:26

My sympathies to all going back soon. I well remember the freezing school hall for the first inset day, same every year. No number of layers could stave off the chill and no amount of residual Christmas cheer was sufficient to ameliorate the gloom and doom generated by the first 60 slide PowerPoint on improving behaviour and achievement.
@echt my little (0.4) retirement job, which I only took to get me through to state pension age, ended up almost full time for nearly eight years. Beware! Teaching is addictive and sucks you back in, in normal times, anyway. Obviously the pandemic changes things a bit.

Mistressiggi · 31/12/2021 10:25

At least our 60 slide PowerPoint will be watched on line this year, might be easier to concentrate when warm!

Viciouslybashed · 31/12/2021 13:11

Reading posts on mumsnet makes me feel very worried going back in jan. Well in 3 days. I just don't think people seem to have an ounce of decency anymore ie won't test in any capacity, even if tests are available, and don't see why they shouldn't mingle with people even if they are positive. It is going to be mad in schools.

chocolateisavegetable · 31/12/2021 14:50

I'm hopeful that the vile posters on certain threads on MN aren't representative of RL vicious

Flowers to you and I hope you can enjoy some peace and rest before going back (easier if you keep away from the Covid board)