Monday Musings – Hey It’s Half Term! Teachers – At Ease!

29 May 2017 75 Comments

by Ritu in Family, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: , , , , , , , ,

It’s Monday.

8 am.

And yet I am at home, and not at school… why?

Because it is half term, the mid term break in this LOOOOONG Summer term!

“Woohoo!” You hear all teachers cry!

It has been a really tiring previous term, with assessments, and observations and the general kerfuffle that comes with being a teacher.

Finally!

A week off!

“But it’s not a week off, really, is it?”

(Small whispers from other teachers.)

No… it’s not, really.

Yes we get away from the school building, but after the week off there is still seven weeks left of the academic year! That is still seven weeks worth of planning and preparation that needs doing!

Usually I would go into school for a day or two to concentrate on work, but the building is shut to us this time as there is work happening, so I have my laptop with me.

I can’t speak for all the others, but I know what my week will consist of, on top of managing two kids, getting their half term homework done, and stopping them being ‘bored’ constantly!

Reports.

I know, there are still seven weeks to go, but when you have 40 reports to compile with your colleague for a bunch of 3-4 year-olds, and you have obscure comments you need to make, about how that child learns, and what exactly they ‘know’, you need to start early!

So at least two days, and possibly more, of my ‘holiday’ will be spent, sat with a notebook, compiling lists and trying to remember evidence for each child.

Then to word it!

The polite way to say “Your child is lovely, but knows Jack Sh*t!” or “Please stop mollycoddling your ‘baby’, it’s not helping them!” or “Thank God I’m not his/her teacher next year!”

But there are so many children who blossom in Nursery, and I could write reams about them! (Note to self; limited space on report form.. do NOT write reams!)

Then after that, I plan to rest up and enjoy a day or two with my family, and visit my Best friend and her new baby!

Because…

Next term will be a killer!!!

As it steadily gets hotter, the kids don’t want to concentrate, they want to be outside all the time.

For the most part, they are doing so well, that this last term is a time to consolidate their learning, and prepare them for when they go to ‘Big School’.

But, (and there’s always a But) we have to do our home visits for the intake who will be starting in September. This means a few weeks of reduced staff in the Nursery, while we traipse around the town, meeting new children, some of whom may not even turn up come September!

Though it’s gotta be done.

It’ll be a busy time, and we will be counting down the days to the summer holidays as soon as we start back, but you know what?

I do love it!

Have a great Monday Peeps!

75 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. seaangel4444
    Jun 03, 2017 @ 18:08:42

    I bet it is hard not to write what you would really like these parents to know, eh Ritu? biggest grin Cher xo

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. Becca Barracuda
    Jun 03, 2017 @ 16:01:28

    Don’t you wish you could put some of those comments on the report? 😉 Enjoy your break– you deserve it!! Don’t work too hard!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. cookandenjoyrecipes
    Jun 03, 2017 @ 15:48:52

    Very interestin Ritu. Did not know you in this field. I only took care of my own grandchildren when they were toddlers for about a year before going to preschool. Loved it but no reports or such needed, yippee. Kuddos for you to do this wonderful work as it does cement a child for their future.

    Liked by 1 person

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  4. angelanoelauthor
    Jun 03, 2017 @ 15:13:11

    Home visits? I had no idea teachers did that. I’ve heard of something similar in the US, but I never had a teacher come by. It sounds like an interesting practice. Does it help parents decide which school to send their child to? Or prepare the parents for their role in helping support their kids education?

    It also sounds like a tough balance to tell the truth but not crush parents or kids if the truth hurts. I’m sure you do it well!

    Liked by 1 person

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  5. anhistorianabouttown
    Jun 03, 2017 @ 14:57:26

    I think teachers should be able to be entirely honest with parents! As someone who works in a university, I see the effects when parents are continually assured of their child’s snowflake status and it’s not pretty haha- plus I’m sure it would be cathartic for the teacher!!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Ritu
      Jun 03, 2017 @ 14:59:14

      Oh man would it! I try not to sugar coat things to be honest… if something needs to be said I usually grab the parent and talk to them… but word g comments carefully in reports is hard… they get checked by management before they can go out!

      Like

      Reply

  6. Grenzroots
    Jun 03, 2017 @ 12:38:10

    Oh my gosh!!!!…this is soooo me…same experience… I love my job..eventhough its sometimes stressfull..thanks for this post.. Keep on writing.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. Delight Times
    Jun 03, 2017 @ 12:21:11

    As a student, I never came to know that Teachers do a lot of working even when they are on holiday but now i think A teacher is never on holiday.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. Ravi
    Jun 03, 2017 @ 12:08:08

    My 4 year old kid is just done with her summer vacation. Just at the start, she made a comment “I want to fly :)”. That made me spend a lot of time reading a kids big book on Universe..Even i learned a lot ..LOL 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  9. Phil Taylor
    Jun 03, 2017 @ 11:37:39

    Enjoy your break!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  10. Debbie H
    Jun 03, 2017 @ 11:07:24

    Teachers are very rarely on holidays! I know this from personal experience, my husband was a teacher for 39 years before retiring this year and he was ALWAYS working. Enjoy your time off and try to relax!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. Gabe Burkhardt
    Jun 03, 2017 @ 11:06:39

    I had always suspected it, but now I know. A teachers work is never done. Cheers Ritu for all you do to help the next generation’s dreams come true.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. Everything EmmZeeBee
    Jun 03, 2017 @ 10:04:51

    When the school holidays come around you must be as excited as the children! Although, it does sound like you still have a lot of work to do outside of school hours! It must be a busy time for you

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. emfletche
    Jun 03, 2017 @ 09:52:04

    Sounds like your holiday wasn’t much of a holiday! Hopefully the summer break will give you a little more time to relax 😘

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  14. shelleywilson72
    Jun 03, 2017 @ 09:45:38

    I have so many teacher friends and so totally understand – you all deserve a medal!! x

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  15. A Girl and Her Passport
    Jun 03, 2017 @ 09:23:19

    Wow, 7 more weeks! Yesterday was my nieces last day of school till the Fall. I can’t imagine keeping the kids in longer. How long are you out for the break?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  16. Judy E Martin
    May 31, 2017 @ 16:31:26

    Enjoy what little time you gert over the half term Sis! xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  17. Erika Kind
    May 29, 2017 @ 19:44:04

    Hey, enjoy your week off, sis, and charge up your batteries as much as you can 😉 I am having a week off in June and I cannot wait for it… I really need it… although I love my job too… lol!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  18. Gayatri Sharma
    May 29, 2017 @ 15:04:05

    Your bio reads “musings and memories”. Marvellous. I wrote a blog on memories, do check it out and let me know what you think https://iamgayatriblog.wordpress.com

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  19. Jennie
    May 29, 2017 @ 13:04:31

    I know exactly how you feel, Ritu. I have three weeks to go. My dining room table is covered with school work.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  20. robbiesinspiration
    May 29, 2017 @ 11:55:17

    So wonderful that you love your job, Ritu. I do know that school holidays for teachers are not what they appear to be – more like working holidays.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  21. Em Linthorpe
    May 29, 2017 @ 10:42:31

    Have a great, if slightly busy, half term! We were going to go out today but the weather has decided to go all February on us ☺ may I ask, from a teacher’s perspective, what are the key objectives of home visits for new starters? This is a brand new thing for me, and with little one starting nursery next year, my brain is ticking over into looking at our options (of which there are three, really). Thanks xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Ritu
      May 29, 2017 @ 11:02:09

      Hi Em!
      Home visits are esse totally a time to meet a child in their familiar surroundings so they are at ease. We get to see the child interact in a place they are comfortable in and they get to meet us so tgat first day at nursery isn’t so daunting. It’s a good time to meet parents and allow chances to discuss any worries or concerns too with no one else around ie. Other parents!

      Liked by 2 people

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  22. barbtaub
    May 29, 2017 @ 09:39:40

    At least you didn’t plan a trip on BA! I hope you can carve out a little fun time at least.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  23. willowdot21
    May 29, 2017 @ 09:17:50

    Thanks Ritu you have a lovely Monday too, and a good week hope you can fit it all in Sis 💜💜💜💜

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  24. Gary
    May 29, 2017 @ 08:40:27

    I thought you were going to say not at school because it’s a bank holiday lol. Tomorrow granted, that falls into half term…cunningly placed to avoid kiddies having half term plus an extra bank holiday day!

    Ramble alert! I digressed again! Agreed re teaching, being a Governor really opened my eyes to what goes on behind the scenes that most folk are totally unaware of. Keep up the good work Ritu x

    Liked by 2 people

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