Any ideas?

Because teaching is the most important profession of all for the future of mankind (BTW, I'm not a teacher).

I must remember to tell that to year 10 tomorrow!!!

I bet they know that already!

Yep...they knew that already (and everything else according to them) - I came home and comfort ate - they were awful....Aaaagggh

Hi Abi,

Year 10 are always ropey. Keep positive. We have all been there.

Can understand that. Hope it gets better for you as the week progressess.

Year 10, on a wet and windy Thursday afternoon is the absolute pits!

We get our own thread because we are a wierd and wonderful species as I will tell any classes I take next week!!!! p.s. I'm a Primary supply teacher so I don't work too hard!

went to before school circuits this morning!!! The kids asked if I had spent too long on the sun bed - bless. Ah well - it's the week end!!

How are all the teachers doing? All shattered after a mad term and a half? At least in school we can't eat continuously during the day. I'm part-time so have managed to fit in some swimming along with my healthy eating (and marking etc) and have now lost a stone as of this week, since Christmas. I'm determined to lose the other stone by the summer holiday. Holidays aren't so good for me though as the routine goes - I put on 2 lb at half term! Quickly lost them again the following week.

A teacher was teaching her class right from wrong. She asked her class if a woman goes into a mans pocket, takes out his wallet and the proceeds to take all his money out what is she? A small voice pipes up from the back of the class, His wife miss!!

... nice one Jackie - do you know there's a "Jokes" thread somewhere? I think it's mostly Simon from Ab Fab who keeps it going - you should have a look when you're in need of a good belly laugh!

At my school there are piles of chocolates, biscuits and cakes making the table in the staffroom groan daily. Think the secret is not to start, ever!

I also experienced the constant bombardment of chocs, cakes and school kitchen desert leftovers when I had a permanent post. I managed to lose weight there, though, as I don't really have a sweet tooth! It was hell for everyone else! All my kids and parents knew I was dieting and so they always gave me non-food presents at Christmas/ end of year, so they understood.
I always had problems making time to eat properly, though. There was always a child with a problem, work to be marked, photocopying to be done, videos to rewind, equipment to set up or put away and , LO and BEHOLD, lunchtime was over! So no food from 6.30 a.m through to nearly 7pm at night, most days. I needed to solve that to lose weight, but it was hard.
Why shouldn't teachers have a thread of their own, anyway?

Because we're worth it!!

Too bloomin right!

How's the new school year going? I feel like I'm spinning plates but am having fun! It's all really frantic but in quite a positive way at the moment.

I've found cutting down on the booze has helped no end with the stress levels!

Wish the nights would stop getting darket though - once I'm home and fed the family, it's too dark to go for a decent walk. Can fit in a half hour walk usually but tonight every fibre of my body was done in so am sat with feet up on settee!

Glad Helen resurrected this! thanks.

I am on supply for the first time ever in September and, in the run up to it, I did wonder how I would feel. (Relieved not to have the stress/worried about money/ at a bit of a loose end/glad to have some free time to pursue my other interests for a change....).
Actually I feel very upset! It has really confirmed that teaching still is the job for me, despite the bad times!
No work has come up for me yet and I feel at such a loss! So, all of you who are immersed in the new year start and all the demands it brings, spare a thought for me being sad because I am NOT there and feel grateful to be part of the excitement and buzz and fun! It really is, for those of us with the guts for it, the best job in the world. Let's not forget it.
Hope to be back up to my neck in it with you soon!

Hope something crops up soon, Helen! It won't be long before staff begin to ring in sick Helen - they're all still feeling ok following the summer this week!

Well said Helen; as a retired teacher, I understand the need for partying with colleagues, responding to the highs and lows with the team. As Sue says, there will soon be plenty of work for you, or how about contacting schools directly?

I have e-mailed my CV to lots of schools, some who know me and some who don't, offering my services on supply. I am also signed on with agencies, but as Sue says, it is not sick season yet and the courses file will only just have been passed rouind, so I am trying to be patient! My Authoriyt only went back on the 8th, so it is only just 2 weeks, I suppose.
Mind you, I did get a letter inviting me for interview late yesterday, which is good news. Only a temporary post but can't be choosy!

good stuff Helen - it'll be a foot in the door even though it is temporary.

Good luck with that - don't do anything you feel isn't right for you even though you'll be in a better position for applications. Can recommend retirement! And, since I have retired, I've met women who haven't been in a profession, and they have had a very jolly life style, playing golf, etc But work kept me on the straight and narrow and now I'm having to curtail and con trol my alcohol consumption!

I'm not sure I would get away with retirement at under 40, Julie, but being on supply sometimes feels like involuntary retirement!
Mind you, the only reason I am on here posting so often is because I am a slave to the computer searching for and applying for jobs and keeping in touch with agencies all day long!
You know, my cats love the fact that I am in all day, in an attempt not to spend money at the shops and to keep petrol expenditure under control!
One of them has come into my study to sleep on the sofa and keep me company all day!
You are never alone with a cat in the house!

Good luck with the supply work Helen. As Sue says, people will start getting sick soon with all the bugs going round and they're trying to reduce our cover down to 0 from next September. Are you secondary? What's your subject?

I'm part-time Maths and am enjoying it this year very much, so far anyway. Have 2 year 7 classes (amongst others) who are so lovely - all call me by my full title instead of 'Miss' which is very sweet, also ask if they can turn the page over. They soon change. I'm seeing it from the other side as well as my daughter has started at a different comp and absolutely loves it. She's getting very independent now.

I'm Primary. I have just got an interview through for a maternity cover, which would be nice. I have become a bit choosy about where I work and want to check them out, preferably by working for them on supply, before I commit to a permanent job anywhere. I have looked round several schools recently that I certainly did not want to apply for. One or two were lovely, though, so I'll have to keep my fingers crossed.
I suppose I could always cross over to Secondary if I wanted to. I am a science graduate and have three sciences at A level (Yes, I am that old!). But I really prefer the pastoral role I get in Juniors.

A good idea to go on supply Helen and to get a feel of a school before you commit yourself to anything long term. Primary is lovely - the children are still eager and interested in what the teacher has to say! Good luck with your interviews.