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!
