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.'

Just de lurking to wish you all the best of luck for the return today.
I don't start til tomorrow but the alarm has gone off to get my DC back. It's hideous being up at this hour!

Maggie Thrope - vaccines minister - is claiming on BBC breakfast that there are lots of measures to support staff and students in schools. Refused to answer how many ex and retired teachers are coming back to help cover. But she personally knows lots who are.

I now feel totally reassured.

E-mail to let us know we start the day with a whole staff meeting in person. Great idea when it’s probably about the fact that at least 10% of teaching staff are currently isolating after a positive test.

Best of luck if you're in today, you're all super troopers

👍 To all my UK colleagues and comrades.

@Medra

E-mail to let us know we start the day with a whole staff meeting in person. Great idea when it’s probably about the fact that at least 10% of teaching staff are currently isolating after a positive test.

It's just so fucking contemptuous. We had a critique of our personal CPD learning logs today. Happy new year!

I am really apprehensive. Found myself willing on another Beast from the East this afternoon on my walk.

You back tomorrow Dolly? Once we're in it will feel like normal again

Yes. I know I’m covering and I like that lot so not too bad.

February half term is fairly soon at least

Indeed! Not that I've been marking my holidays on my calendar yet or anything..

Kids at my school are notoriously reluctant to wear masks. SLT say they have to but won't support us in enforcing it. I'm feeling kind of militant and want to refuse to teach the refusers, but I can't, can I? I suppose I could report all who won't to SLT.

Nope, you can't refuse. You could make some strategic changes to your seating plan though.

Do they refuse and don't have them, or just wear them under chin etc?

Welcome, @Justgamboling! Make yourself at home - you've joined at a good time: everyone's Christmas chocolate surplus has been brought into the staff room

what on earth is "chocolate surplus" ??!!

@chocolateisavegetable

what on earth is "chocolate surplus" ??!!

I’ve never heard of that either! Doesn’t exist in our household…!

Happy New Year all, and I hope this term is ... well... shall we say, filled with small moments of joy?

Re Beast from the East: apparently the north is getting thunder snow tomorrow...

Hi everyone, well done to those who were in front of classes today. Hoping for a term without too much disruption.

I've had inset, which was mostly remote, I worked from home as I'm waiting for the results of a travel PCR test, which should be in tonight.

I've been feeling more and more anxious as the day has progressed. Can feel it building up in the pit of my stomach. Tomorrow is an easy half day, just a couple of assessments for 6th form, but I've got that awful, (unfounded and irrational) fear that they won't do well because I didn't teach them properly. And I'm nowhere near as prepared as I usually am for the first couple of weeks of term.

Hoping that once we get back into the swing of things I'll regain some confidence.

Decided to try dry January (from today). Our Christmas biscuits are going to be donated to the staffroom!

Have failed miserably at dry January tonight. Was doing so well then a data meeting happened.

It's all my fault my class are where they are. Ofsted will not be happy... its all my fault.

I am pretty much done. 2 terms into my ECT. I love my class, my immediate team, looking after my class as the precious little
beings they are, delivering lessons, the explaining, the interaction and that light bulb moment.... but I'm so disheartened.

It's all my fault my class are where they are. Ofsted will not be happy... its all my fault.

So what are they going to support you?

@MrsHamlet I am so upset and I still have until Friday to go until the end of week 1...

Don't even want to go in tomorrow.

@namechangedyetagain this is bullshit. If they think there's a problem they need to a) prove it and b) support you.

What is your mentor doing????