At the chalkface
News
The empty desk
“YOU MAY begin!” says a drugs and the drug running. He
Chief Invigilator. of the concave face and purple
Race for PA prize continues
The exam season blooms bruises. I last saw him in mid-
– like a tumour. I survey the hall. winter, shuffling down the Grove.
Exams are necessary. I know. A He said that he was getting better.
by Chris Parr
necessary evil. I know. We must Getting clean. He promised he’d
select and measure and divide do this English exam. He could The competition is hotting up in
them. I know. But sometimes it get a C. It could take him off the the race to become the 2009 SecEd
seems that’s all we do. street. He promised his shrinks. He Headteacher’s PA of the Year, but
There they go again. The promised his mother. there is still plenty of time to get
little mites writing for their lives, A junkie’s promises. your nomination in.
improving their life Charlie with his The fourth annual awards cer-
chances for David mother on first day of emony will take place at a prestig-
Cameron’s imminent, Big School. Fresh faced ious London venue later this year,
shining, post-industrial and laughing and so where all the finalists and their
New World. Fulfilling bright. Charlie doing so headteachers will be treated to a
their potential. well. Then the 10th year gala dinner, before the 2009 win-
Balderdash! So little bunking. Charlie slipping ners are unveiled.
is ever examined. The away to the streets, lost to Every entrant who makes the
experience of five years! those corners. I ring home. final gets a certificate marking their
1,500 hours. Shrunk! To a “He left for school!” achievement, and we then choose
few parrot answers and a says his weeping mother. bronze, silver and gold awards, as
bit of tick box thinking. Well, he never got here. well as a number of highly com-
Look at their faces! I gaze at the desk. At his mended PAs. Citations highlighting
Lily, pale as smoke, absence. You can’t measure the dedication of all the finalists Outstanding PAs: Winners from the 2008 awards ceremony including gold award winner
bangs out rote thoughts absence. A blade of sunlight are read out and recognised during Pam Waters (centre), silver winner Sharon Dow (right) and bronze winner Linda Cox
on unreliable narrators in The cuts across it. Across the ghost the event.
Great Gatsby. Luke, frayed of Charlie Johnstone. Come In one of the nominations already describes his PA as “highly effi- complexity and uncertainties of from Nottingham describes his PA
and sleepless, knocks out on Charlie! Where are you? submitted, a head from Derbyshire cient, and well-tuned to the pace, school life”, while another head as being “beyond compare”.
bullet points about ambiguities Shivering in Meanwhile Gardens? She goes on to add: “One
in Marvell. Now look at the Again? I gaze on his name and moment (she) is grappling with
GCSE pupils – lower tier. Those number. His number seems to
How to enter your PA
the complexities and sensitivities
toiling in the lower rungs. Aisha be up. Charlie Johnstone never of staff transfers, while the next
smiles thinly waiting for the end. happened…
The awards are open to every UK secondary school, state or independent. All you need to do is
will find her greeting visitors in her
Arthur Crumlin gazes grimly at “You have five minutes left!”
write a testimonial of up to 700 words explaining to us why your PA is vital to your school and
unflappable style. Then she will be
a question and gives me a savage drones the Chief Invigilator. its community – it really is as simple as that. shaping the diary of the principal to
stare. He blows another C, despite Quick! Quick! Conclude!
Our judging panel always looks for evidence of a PA’s dedication and loyalty to their role, as
ensure that he actually has time to
all those cramming classes. And Conclude! Stop! Pens down!
well as evidence of the impact that they have on the school’s systems and operations. We look
drink his cup-a-soup lunch between
there’s another Plumb. This time Papers packed and registered lengthy, protracted meetings.”
Stanley. He just looks fuddled. A and delivered and vaguely marked
for the impact PAs have with the staff in the school, as well as with the students.
This year, the finals will take
lambent dullness plays upon his by knackered paupers. Most
We want to hear about PAs who take on duties above and beyond their job specification, but also about those
place on Friday, November 20,
brows. How dispiriting! pupils will do well. We’ll zoom up who have revolutionised the traditional PA role within a school. and the awards are once again
Now regard that empty desk. the tables. Onwards and upwards.
The deadline for nominations is Thursday, October 1, although we advise you to get them in as soon as you can.
being kindly supported by the
There’s a card. Name and Things can only get better.
Email SecEd editor Pete Henshaw if you would like more guidance. You can submit nominations to
DCSF International School Award,
number. “Johnstone. Charles.” which is managed by the British
Poor Charlie from the Referral • Ian Whitwham is a former
pete.h@markallengroup.com or by post to SecEd PA of the Year, St Jude’s Church, Dulwich Road, Herne Hill, London,
Council.
Unit. Remember him? He of the secondary school teacher.
SE24 0PB. Good luck!
For full details on how to enter,
see the panel. Good luck!
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20 SecEd • June 18 2009
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