Off sick in first week - gutted

[ECT22]

I'm a newly qualified Secondary teacher. I was so excited to start my new job, but came down with a tummy bug on Sunday night (the timing!), so I have had to miss the first two days of teaching, and I'm not sure I'll be back in this week, it's a really awful bug. I just physically can't go in with D&V - obviously.

The school has been supportive. And so far I have managed to set cover work for my classes, despite this not being requested. But I am so so upset not be able to meet and build relationships with my classes, that they will spend their first few days with cover teachers :( and that the HoD and my colleagues will have extra work and hassle because I am off.

Any advice on what I can do to get off to as positive a start as possible once I eventually make it into school?

I would be gutted too but there’s nothing you can do. Once you’re back, throw yourself into your exciting new job and honestly, management will have forgotten you were off within a week and moved onto another staff issue. This is a long term, there’s plenty of time to bond with your pupils. Hope you feel better soon x

Oh and when I come back after being off I always put a box of chocs/biscuits in the staff room with a note to say thank you to staff for covering me.

Nothing you can do about it though I totally understand where you're coming from. I'm a cover supervisor and have spent the last 3 days with a Y7 form, also taking their English and Maths lessons. Their teacher won't be back til next week and I know it'll be tough for him to 'start again'.

Thanks for messages. Taking in a box of chocs is a great idea. I've also heard so many stories of teachers I know having illnesses/injuries/personal crises in the first week of term that I feel a little less panicked about the whole thing. Still really gutted, but less despairing!