P44: Staffroom Confidential

Teachers' tips

Last issue Susan asked for tips on preparing for the start of the new school year.

Take a break

Go away for a break during the last week of your holiday. Hopefully you will be too busy to think of school and your ‘collywobble’ time will be cut to a minimum.

Gail Landon, East Sussex

My patent formula!

 1. Catch up with friends, eat cake in the afternoon, because you can!

2. Get up late and have a few pyjama days, doing little.

3. Have a clear out – take those old clothes to a charity shop.

4. Plan lessons and sort out your classroom the first or penultimate week of the holidays.

5. Book something nice to do in October half term.

6. The day before school starts plan something special; a day out somewhere new, a nice film.

7. Remember on that first day back that teaching is the most important job in the world!

Sara, by email

Homemade success

 If you’re an NQT like me and have kept a journal, look back at all the successes and re-do them. Look at where things could be improved.

Having a bank of homemade resources helps. I make them after evaluating sessions that didn’t go well. So next year I hope to have my resources quickly to hand – which ensures better teaching and learning and less work!

Michaela Clarke, London

Get organised

 Go to school the week before term starts and organise the furniture so the children can see everything, and move round the classroom easily.

Label books and coat pegs, sharpen pencils and check there’s enough basic equipment. Post classroom rules on the wall and think about where the children are to sit.

This should help start the new term calmly.

EMN, by email 

Once the old displays have been dismantled and children have taken home their work, put up new backing paper but cover everything with newspaper to stop it fading.

Pat Dingle, Essex

Next issue

 Any tips on preparing for my first parents’ evening?

Roger, by email 

A funny thing happened... during our sports day

My nursery class joined in with the final race, a sprint to the finish line. All 39 three year olds were lined up eager to run. They were so excited, they ran like wildebeest down the track – and just continued past the line and across the field in all directions! Teachers and parents chased after them. By the end of the day I’m not sure who were more tired, teachers or children.

Suzanne Burton, Thatcham, West Berkshire

The climax of the afternoon were the parents’ races. As head teacher I was cajoled to participate by shouts of: “Come on, Sir, be a good sport!” I was in with a chance after ten metres, until my shiny-soled shoes slipped. The next thing I remember was the sky and grass turning a circle as I flew through the air.

Fortunately, help arrived – but the humiliation was compounded by tumultuous cheers. Today, after being retired for years, I’m reminded of it.

Harry Davenhill, Walsall

The racing track lines had been redrawn on our school field and children were running along the track at playtimes. A few days later Ofsted arrived. The inspector asked children: “Do you have any problems with racism at this school?” The older pupils said they didn’t think we did. However, my Year 2 girl said: “I think we have problems with that!” “Tell me what these problems are,” said the inspector.

She replied: “When we’re running races some people don’t stay in their lanes and then everyone bumps into each other and that causes problems.”

Jane, Leicestershire

Next issue: A funny thing happened in drama. Send in your anecdotes by 15 October.