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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:
MrsHamlet · 02/01/2022 11:17

My ECT time will once again be covered by supply (and we all know how scarce that is) so I'm feeling a little anxious about the term ahead.
But you have to have it - don't let anyone tell you otherwise

DenbyChina · 02/01/2022 11:56

Came on here to ask if anyone else was already feeling dread about going back. Slightly comforted to see the other messages about it, and equally concerned that there are others feeling the same!

namechangedyetagain · 02/01/2022 13:26

@MrsHamlet

My ECT time will once again be covered by supply (and we all know how scarce that is) so I'm feeling a little anxious about the term ahead. But you have to have it - don't let anyone tell you otherwise
Oh absolutely. I am currently enjoying my last proper day off (with wine!) but I'll take you up on the pm offer please Mrs H when I put my laptop back on.

You have all been so fab to me.

BitterTits · 02/01/2022 13:53

I'm dreading it mainly because I know that SLT don't give any more of a shit about us than the government and the general public. I have my stage 1 absence meeting coming up (5 days in total, one of which was a PCR). If I have any symptoms I plan to ask the VP whether or not I'm expected to isolate. I'm going to make them accountable.

ChloeDecker · 02/01/2022 14:58

@BitterTits

I'm dreading it mainly because I know that SLT don't give any more of a shit about us than the government and the general public. I have my stage 1 absence meeting coming up (5 days in total, one of which was a PCR). If I have any symptoms I plan to ask the VP whether or not I'm expected to isolate. I'm going to make them accountable.
Quite right!
CJFJ1 · 02/01/2022 15:22

@DenbyChina

Came on here to ask if anyone else was already feeling dread about going back. Slightly comforted to see the other messages about it, and equally concerned that there are others feeling the same!
Yep - dreading it. I caught Covid towards the end of last term and I have little doubt it was from school, given we have small, poorly ventilated classrooms and narrow corridors. Thankfully only mild symptoms and I've had a booster jab. I teach in a KS2 setting though, so the pupils won't be wearing face masks.

I'm very nervous about returning next week.

twinkletoesimnot · 02/01/2022 15:43

I'm also dreading it.
I (and my family) haven't had Covid yet - somehow. Probably because we are very rural.
But the main thing worrying me is having to do home learning for any that are off on top of what I need to do in school.
They are a very low Y3 mixed with a Y4 class and meaningful home learning will be very difficult! They would need a lot of support.
I really need to try to build on what we have managed so far but it seems pretty insurmountable at the minute.

Fossie · 02/01/2022 16:57

Starting to get the dread. I can cope with the idea of teaching in person, or teaching remote live lessons, or teaching some lessons in person and some online (in the same day) as we have already done that. I don’t think I could cope with hybrid learning. I think I would be saying no. I also can’t cope with the idea of bubbled year groups again though no one has suggested that thankfully.

CJFJ1 · 02/01/2022 18:01

@Fossie

Starting to get the dread. I can cope with the idea of teaching in person, or teaching remote live lessons, or teaching some lessons in person and some online (in the same day) as we have already done that. I don’t think I could cope with hybrid learning. I think I would be saying no. I also can’t cope with the idea of bubbled year groups again though no one has suggested that thankfully.
I agree. Hybrid learning was a real pain at my school towards the end of last term, when you had some pupils isolating at home, and some pupils in front of you in the classroom: very tricky in logistical terms. You're right: thankfully no one has mentioned year group bubbles, which I also found very difficult during the summer term last year.
JanglyBeads · 02/01/2022 18:43

The only changes to the KW list are subtractions: people involved in Brexit!

It adds some more types of Vulnerable situations eg alcohol abuse in the family.

JanglyBeads · 02/01/2022 18:44

The reason they haven't mentioned bubbles is because they suggest classes can be combined as super groups in the Hall..... (not ABBA sadly!)

chocolateisavegetable · 02/01/2022 19:14

Oooooo, if they were planning ABBA in the hall, I might retract my resignation

MrsHamlet · 02/01/2022 19:27

Nooooo choc.... they're trying to out us as nightclub attending workshy lefties. Don't get sucked in.

Medra · 02/01/2022 19:29

Our IT system can’t cope with live streaming a lesson. When I tried I crashed the PC which meant there was nothing for either the kids in school or those at home.

chocolateisavegetable · 02/01/2022 19:32

but, but, ... ABBA! I am a dancing queen ...

Malbecfan · 02/01/2022 20:58

I have a quick question, which I want to run by people here before I kick off at school:

Secondary schools are testing all students prior to their return this week. That's fine by me. The arrangements are sensible and have been communicated to staff, parents & students. However, last year, some parents refused to allow their offspring to be tested, even in y13. Some refused to allow their offspring to take home LFTs and would not test. Am I really unreasonable in not wanting to teach youngsters who cannot demonstrate their status? I'm meant to show my vaccination status and negative LFT to go to a sodding football match so why do I have to go to work to potentially be exposed to Covid?

I get on well with most of the SLT and like my school, so I'm not deliberately trying to be awkward. But I have my 86yo father here and would rather not get ill or bring anything home, so this is causing me extra stress. Thanks in advance.

MrsHamlet · 02/01/2022 21:47

@chocolateisavegetable

but, but, ... ABBA! I am a dancing queen ...
Step away from the dance floor!
MrsHamlet · 02/01/2022 21:48

You're not unreasonable at all but we're not allowed to exclude them from lessons.

Stay well back. Don't move round. Teach from the front. Keep the windows open.

chocolateisavegetable · 02/01/2022 21:58

Uh oh - MrsH used her teacher voice on me. I'd best keep my dance moves in the lounge and go nowhere near a hall.

MrsHamlet · 02/01/2022 21:59

@chocolateisavegetable

Uh oh - MrsH used her teacher voice on me. I'd best keep my dance moves in the lounge and go nowhere near a hall.
There are chairs in lounges. You're not allowed to sit down, remember. Bloody teachers. Can't behave themselves.
chocolateisavegetable · 02/01/2022 22:02

Oh MrsH - you stick an ABBA track on and I am going nowhere near a chair ...

MrsHamlet · 02/01/2022 22:02

🤣

JanglyBeads · 02/01/2022 22:23

GlitterballXmas GrinWine

Medra · 02/01/2022 22:34

@Malbecfan so few of ours have consented to testing that there is no way we will start the year without Covid I. School.

PumpkinPie2016 · 03/01/2022 08:23

I am getting anxious about returning. One of my team tested positive yesterday. Not too poorly thankfully but means we are starting the term a man down. Another's husband is positive- she is negative so far but obviously no guarantees it will stay that way.

Hybrid teaching is a pain in the arse! I just really struggle to cope with supporting students in class while also supporting those at home and dealing with IT issues (I am not tech savvy in the least!).