The Onset of Inset Days #BackToSchool #TeachersLife

30 Aug 2018 75 Comments

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

You know what time of year it is now, don’t you?

That end of holidays, getting-back-into-a-normal-routine time.

Rushing-around-finding-uniforms-and-stationery-supplies-time.

That having-to-get-up-early time.

Yes.

School is about to start up again for thousands across the country.

Responsible adults need to drag those affected from the addictions of late nights and lie-ins,  screen and social media that six weeks off has allowed, and bring them back to reality.

Yup.

Teachers – we are going back to work!

You see, it’s not just kids that have to gear themselves up for that September start.

Us educators need to brace ourselves for that new academic year start too!

You’d think after our epic long holiday, we’d all be full of energy, having had NO WORK for all that time…

Aside from the fact we’ve probably been working for in excess of fifty hours a week, during the academic year (and being paid for only 32.5 each week – standard – in our contracts, no such thing as claiming overtime as a teacher) and totally deserve a school-free break, it’s probably not been the case at all.

Teachers around the country will have spent a few days, at least, in their new year’s classrooms, clearing, rebacking boards, labelling, organising, moving furniture, writing up class lists for various things…

Then the rest of the time, we chill out and get drunk every day we firstly sleep off the exhaustion of the previous year (unless we have kids, in which case, good luck – Busman’s holiday, anyone?!) then try really hard to forget school for a little while, but any trips to the locality brings our profession back to mind, as we inevitably bump into several ex-pupils, current students or parents!

Or, everywhere we go, an educational opportunity arises, which means notes need to be taken, for future reference.

Yes, we will spend inordinate amounts of time on screens, but if you peek over our shoulders, we are likely to be on Pinterest, filling new boards with fantastic topic ideas or YouTube, finding great videos to share with our class!

Shopping trips will be peppered with impromptu visits to stationery shops, or bargain shops, where we find things that would just be wonderful in the classroom, and because we might not find them again, in pops teachers hand into own pocket, and suddenly there is an almighty hole in the bank account that we probably won’t be able to claim back… but it’s for the kids, so, you know…

We may have managed to squeeze a proper holiday into the time too, and emerged tanned and relaxed, or more exhausted than when the departed!

Still, all good things must come to an end, and all that, and here we are on the cusp of the new academic year.

Time to get ready for meeting our new classes, forging bonds with new members of staff, commiserating with those of us who are still there,  getting used to changes that will inevitaby be applied, because the government thinks things need doing differently… that sort of thing.

 

At least we have two Inset days.

Sometimes, Inset days are my favourite days.

Because we are at school – with NO KIDS! (Neither Pupil, nor Personal – you get my jig?)

Yes, it can be a day filled with pointless training (but equally, we can have inspiring speakers in who actually help!) but you also get time in your classrooms to organise, (yup, it needs redoing, because the cleaners will have been in, and though your room will be sparkly clean, the desks will have been moved around and nothing will be exactly as you left it. FACT!)

But no kids means you can get your teacher head back on, before the onslaught arrival of your new batch of prospective devils precious pupils.

Time to get familiar with the routines again, and get as up to date as you can with the endless paperwork, so that when the children arrive, you can actually teach them, rather than spend the time ticking boxes. (Though that will still play a huge part in your daily life as a teacher – some things never change…)

Then, on Monday, it’s back to work with a WHOOSH!

So, as you happily dress your little angels and pack them off on their first day back, thankful that you don’t have to deal with the daily meltdowns for all 24 of the hours, take pity on the teacher you are entrusting them to… teachers like me!

HAPPY BACK TO SCHOOL my fellow teachers!

75 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. Rae Longest
    Sep 15, 2018 @ 01:53:08

    The new semester couldn’t get here fast enough for me! But then, I had been off all summer. Year-round school is definitely better for the kids, but I think I would like it!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  2. Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)
    Sep 03, 2018 @ 17:54:48

    Hubby had an inset day training today! Safeguarding I believe…..now the hard work begins eh?! I had to share this on my regular feature on PainPalsBlog – Monday Magic Inspiring Blogs for You! Claire x

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. Trackback: Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You! | Pain Pals

  4. reena pradeep
    Sep 03, 2018 @ 15:31:11

    Loved the right up. Could relate every bit of it. In my early carrier I was in teaching proffession.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. hotmessmemoir
    Sep 02, 2018 @ 17:24:36

    I don’t know how you do it or any other teacher on Earth. Teachers are some of the most underpaid people I think. I think some people teach for the summer but don’t realize how much work it is. Good luck!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. ButterflyinRemission
    Sep 02, 2018 @ 14:31:55

    I can fully appreciate the Teachers life, my dad was a teacher and I know its a myth that they get so much time off as there is a lot of lesson planning, marking, after school activities that goes on. Also I can identify with never switching off as everywhere I go my mind is constantly multi tasking!!! Hope the first day goes well!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. Gary
    Sep 02, 2018 @ 09:30:19

    Where did summer go again Ritu?? Can’t believe it’s BTS already. Flipping countdown to Christmas snowman comes out this month too 😱😱

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. englishwithkirsty
    Aug 31, 2018 @ 17:08:03

    That’s so true about identifying educational opportunities or ideas for lessons everywhere you go, and at times when you’re supposed to be relaxing!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. Dan Antion
    Aug 31, 2018 @ 12:36:11

    Good luck as it all begins again!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  10. Erika Kind
    Aug 30, 2018 @ 20:09:33

    Have a good start back at school all of you!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. OIKOS™-Redaktion
    Aug 30, 2018 @ 19:51:46

    NOW, its your time Ritu! You wrote some weeks ago by yourself “I will be back!” 😉
    Let me say it with some more academic words:
    Now you can fully unfold again and give to future generations something for their lives. Little tip: You should take cotton wool for your ears with you, or other hearing protection. The small racks develop volume levels up to more than 100 decibels. lol Best wishes! Michael

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. scr4pl80
    Aug 30, 2018 @ 15:29:47

    My sister was a teacher, I can relate. Have a wonderful school year!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. Marje @ Kyrosmagica
    Aug 30, 2018 @ 13:34:46

    It’s not long until out pupils arrive! 10th Sept. Hope I cope. It has been ridiculously busy with all the admin leading up their arrival. Hope your new term goes well Ritu. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Ritu
      Aug 30, 2018 @ 15:42:24

      Thanks Marje!
      Day one of Inset has been done, now in classroom, sorting bits out.
      Another day of training tomorrow then Monday we start with a bang!
      Good luck to you too!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  14. Lisa A.
    Aug 30, 2018 @ 12:57:39

    Good luck Ritu! ❤ My son has been in school since July 30. Lol. He goes year round.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  15. Rebecca Moon Ruark
    Aug 30, 2018 @ 12:02:53

    Thank goodness for teachers like you, Ritu! My guys started their first day back yesterday, and the teacher seemed excited (my guys were not, really) so that seems like a good sign. Good luck with your school year–here’s hoping for a batch of angel pupils!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  16. willowdot21
    Aug 30, 2018 @ 11:51:30

    Have a fulfilling academic year dear Sis. Hats off to you and your most important job 💜

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  17. rachaelstray
    Aug 30, 2018 @ 11:50:30

    It soon comes around again that back to school time. Good luck for the academic year ahead Ritu x

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  18. Darlene
    Aug 30, 2018 @ 11:41:24

    Enjoy your new year. I say Bravo to all teachers!! It’s such an important job and I am in awe!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  19. floridaborne
    Aug 30, 2018 @ 09:53:23

    Good luck with trying to teach and follow government rules. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  20. Em Linthorpe
    Aug 30, 2018 @ 09:32:35

    It’s so soon now! Our big shopping trip is tomorrow, although I might do some bits today too. Argh! Big starts on Wednesday, but little lad doesn’t start right away, he has a nursery home visit on the 14th so it will be sometime after then. I’m in bits worrying about it haha!

    Wishing you love, luck and caffeine for the upcoming academic year. You’re a hero ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  21. TanGental
    Aug 30, 2018 @ 07:44:46

    Good for you the world is a better place with good teachers…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  22. shelleywilson72
    Aug 30, 2018 @ 07:44:36

    Happy back to school, Ritu!! May the odds be forever in your favour 😉 xxx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  23. Lucy Brazier
    Aug 30, 2018 @ 07:19:47

    Teachers are unsung heroes in society and people don’t appreciate how much they give of themselves to put into the next generation. Good luck for the new academic year to you all!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  24. Sue Vincent
    Aug 30, 2018 @ 07:03:47

    The gloom descends on the rest of us as the five mile journey to work that took ten minutes all summer will now take an hour… 😦

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  25. robbiesinspiration
    Aug 30, 2018 @ 05:58:37

    Our kids still have another week of holiday. The one nice thing about teaching is that you do get to spend your holidays with your kids [I know you have to work some of the time]. I have only had two days of holiday with my kids. August is such a boys month for me.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Ritu
      Aug 30, 2018 @ 06:52:59

      I know. There are definitely plusses to teaching in that your vacations are mostly with your children, but equally, it means no real rest, if that’s what you need!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  26. syl65
    Aug 30, 2018 @ 05:33:59

    Have a great first day back Sister (without the kids)!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  27. oxygen4thejourney
    Aug 30, 2018 @ 05:09:17

    Love it Ritu. Have fun.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  28. Dorinda Duclos
    Aug 30, 2018 @ 05:06:27

    I love your Bitmoji! They tell a story all by themselves! Cheers to a wonderful year ahead! 💖

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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