Well that's the second application form this week! Yes peeps! It's that time of year again. Every NQT, supply teacher and part-timer will be on their mettle for the next few weeks! This is almost as regular as the lambing season; every February/March cometh the 'Bulk Interviews' (West Lothian) or the 'Round Robin' (South Lanarkshire) where the teaching sorority goes into a frenzy of form filling, trying to write something spectacular. Attention grabbing headlines on a boring On-line form are not easy to manufacture but still we try, in the desperate hope that this year, maybe this year we'll be one of the successful ones, one of the ones who actually get given a job that isn't a temporary contract or Maternity cover. Doing a Mat cover in the school I'm in at the mo' is not a bad thing as the Headie is one of the application form considerers, she's helping sort the wheat from the chaff and if I don't get an interview it won't be for lack of trying!!! The Depute checked over my form, as did my ex- Headie from my previous school and both declared it a good form, coupled with the rather super (if I say so myself!) Headteacher's Report that the Headie gave me should hopefully get me a chance to sparkle in person and hypnotise them into giving me a permanent post contract in a smashing school with no behavioural difficulties and a pupil base of angels who want nothing more than to hang on my every word as if they were pearls of wisdom, while they work hard at being the best class in the Universe.... well I can dream can't I? Have also completed one for my Local Authority who have at last lifted the Recruitment Freeze and are looking for Supply staff. Mind you, I'm not daft, if I were to be offered a post in my current Authority then I would definitely take it - in this jobs climate one can't be too choosy!! However, getting onto the Supply list makes me eligible to apply for any permanent posts that come up in the future, so here's hoping!
Speaking of climate; it's not been as snowy as I'd expected. The forecast keeps saying it's gong to be a white out but although the frost is doing it's stuff every morning and nice and crisp it is too, the snow has not really made much of an appearance this past week. Note well my friends, now that I have said there is no snow you can practically guarantee the blasted stuff will be all over the place by morning.... Perhaps the Spring will soon come around and we'll have daffies nodding their pretty yellow heads all over the verges.
Funny how much I find I miss typing stuff. I would love to be able to write a book but that would require a plot and a beginning, middle and end. The creative writing course I did with the O.U. was great fun and fairly got the creative juices flowing but as happens, life takes over and the reality of why I was working for a degree jumped on it and squashed it flat. I have three or four notebooks with ideas, phrases, titles, characters and setting jotted down in them. Not in any particular order, they're not the bones of an epic tale or anything remotely organised like that. I love pomes. I use that word as I don't think my doggerel can really expect to be called poetry. Some of them I am quite chuffed with, others probably need a years' work just to be readable. Never a great fan of the Haiku with it's seventeen syllables I had a bash at some. Wrote a couple of contrived poems from given titles then, creatively and independently, I did one I was quite proud of with a rhyme sequence on the third lines, the name of this format escapes me for the moment, I recall having it described by a tutor and realising that I had written one without really knowing that it was a specific poetic form!! Was I chuffed? You bet your little pink bootees I was! Maybe one day I'll go and dig out my verse and publish it all here. That'll sort out the men from the boys, we'll soon see who can stick it out and who says "The hell with it, I'm off...." I would like to think that one day I will sit down and have a crack at a wee novello or maybe a few short stories. Along with the painting that I've put on the back burner since taking up teaching and the Cross-stitch I never got back to, perhaps when I eventually retire I will myself trying to fit in so many hobbies that I will give up and just spend my life Twittering, Blogging and watching re-runs of Dr. Who and True Blood. (the sublime to the ridiculous) on the telly. Joking apart, I've always promised myself that I'd re-write the scripts I created for the Junior Workshop as children's books and possibly self illustrate them too; who knows, maybe one day. In the meantime I'll keep buying the Euro Millions Lottery tickets when it's a Rollover week and give my mind a wee treat imagining what I'd do if my numbers came up.......
I suppose I should go and get myself off to bed now, it has been a long day and I am somewhat knackered. Early start and hair to wash in the morning so it makes sense not to sit here any longer. So, better shift it then....
Till next time,
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
Monday, 1 February 2010
And that's one month gone....
Crivvens, where did January go? there was I, feeling all smug about not letting the year race away and when I turned round it was February!! It's already on the slippery slide and gaining momentum by the minute. Haven't booked any holidays yet as have yet to decide where we might like to go, we've also to consider what it's likely to cost as the prices seem to be a bit steeper this year, or is that just my imagination?
I've more or less decided not to make any special plans for the next wee while, there is so much of life in a state of flux at the minute it's practically impossible to make any! I know what I'd like to achieve - mainly in the house - but as I am working at the mo' it's unlikely to happen. So I'll just plod on doing a wee bittie here and there and maybe it'll all come out right in the end.
The new school is pretty good, although I'm finding the sheer size of it a bit daunting. Double classes makes for a lot of children and a lot of staff; who are very nice by the way, that's the staff mostly, the kids are a variable feast.... some horrors, some wee sweethearts, and the usual motley collection of swots, middle of the roaders and refusers. The class I have are, on the whole, a good enough bunch, just a few who could make you want to rip their throats out.... The previous incumbent in his infinite wisdom (translate that as sheer bloody laziness) did not, however leave a forward plan. Apparently it was 'my responsibility to write one with the stage partners'. Neither did he leave his daily diary pages so I could see what the class had covered and at what pace. So perhaps that's the reason I'm feeling somewhat stressed just now and why the month has hurtled by, I'm trying to do the job, discover what has been done in the past and plan for the rest of the term! No pressure!
The applications for the next lot of jobs are out now and need to be submitted by the 28th Feb. Unfortunately it has to be accessed from a school PC and to date I have been unable to get on - some glich in the server won't let me on to the council intranet. Further to this we have been told that the 'norm' (this will be my third year in the bulk interviews) is not happening this year. Instead of all who apply, Probationer teachers, those on supply who want permanent, those who want a transfer, getting an interview regardless of the application form, the forms are to be graded and matched with Headteachers comments and reports. Ones and Twos will get interviews, threes and fours won't. In past years everyone was seen, allowing for personality to overcome a poor form - not everyone writes a good form after all, but now we are all going to have to sparkle on paper like a ballroom dancer's bodystocking. Ho hum, I'm going to have to get on the case as soon as I figure out how to get the blasted form opened.
Here I go again, I keep telling myself I won't rabbit on about teaching and jobs and the like, yet there I am doing just that!
What else am I doing? The workshop is moving along rehearsals are going fairly well, we just need to pick up the pace a wee bit. I have three Wednesdays that I have courses or Parents Nights to attend so we have to be up to speed with it all before that happens. Going this weekend to see the Hall we will be performing in in April. The Young Farmers will have the scaffolding up and the stage extension up so that will be good to see. We're working in a measured area so, hopefully, we'll be able to hang a backdrop a metre off the back wall and get access to both sides of the stage without having to go offstage - there are steps up to the stage from the back area and if we can have the cast on the stage ready to come on without having to come up the steps to do so, so much the better. Costumes are well under way and Jenny is gathering props already. David is looking at how we will set the scenes; we've been dicussing a simple but effective method of ringing the changes using a stone cloth as a static back with various embellishments to create the different scenes. As always, we all pool our knowledge and experience and I fully expect we will come up with something fairly innovative again. The team are truly brilliant and I am so lucky to have so many talented and dedicated people pulling together. We're all working on the kids show and we'll be working together on the Panto along with a few more talented people - I fully expect it to be a blast and although we are not certain of getting the Theatre back in time for putting it on I have booked the Hall as a stand by. Just hoping for a biggish cast to pull it off!
But there I am again, rabbiting on about the end of the year and we're barely started. Maybe I will just toddle off and watch/listen to Terry Pratchett's lecture instead of rambling here. Yes, I will do just that. Night night.
Till next time.
I've more or less decided not to make any special plans for the next wee while, there is so much of life in a state of flux at the minute it's practically impossible to make any! I know what I'd like to achieve - mainly in the house - but as I am working at the mo' it's unlikely to happen. So I'll just plod on doing a wee bittie here and there and maybe it'll all come out right in the end.
The new school is pretty good, although I'm finding the sheer size of it a bit daunting. Double classes makes for a lot of children and a lot of staff; who are very nice by the way, that's the staff mostly, the kids are a variable feast.... some horrors, some wee sweethearts, and the usual motley collection of swots, middle of the roaders and refusers. The class I have are, on the whole, a good enough bunch, just a few who could make you want to rip their throats out.... The previous incumbent in his infinite wisdom (translate that as sheer bloody laziness) did not, however leave a forward plan. Apparently it was 'my responsibility to write one with the stage partners'. Neither did he leave his daily diary pages so I could see what the class had covered and at what pace. So perhaps that's the reason I'm feeling somewhat stressed just now and why the month has hurtled by, I'm trying to do the job, discover what has been done in the past and plan for the rest of the term! No pressure!
The applications for the next lot of jobs are out now and need to be submitted by the 28th Feb. Unfortunately it has to be accessed from a school PC and to date I have been unable to get on - some glich in the server won't let me on to the council intranet. Further to this we have been told that the 'norm' (this will be my third year in the bulk interviews) is not happening this year. Instead of all who apply, Probationer teachers, those on supply who want permanent, those who want a transfer, getting an interview regardless of the application form, the forms are to be graded and matched with Headteachers comments and reports. Ones and Twos will get interviews, threes and fours won't. In past years everyone was seen, allowing for personality to overcome a poor form - not everyone writes a good form after all, but now we are all going to have to sparkle on paper like a ballroom dancer's bodystocking. Ho hum, I'm going to have to get on the case as soon as I figure out how to get the blasted form opened.
Here I go again, I keep telling myself I won't rabbit on about teaching and jobs and the like, yet there I am doing just that!
What else am I doing? The workshop is moving along rehearsals are going fairly well, we just need to pick up the pace a wee bit. I have three Wednesdays that I have courses or Parents Nights to attend so we have to be up to speed with it all before that happens. Going this weekend to see the Hall we will be performing in in April. The Young Farmers will have the scaffolding up and the stage extension up so that will be good to see. We're working in a measured area so, hopefully, we'll be able to hang a backdrop a metre off the back wall and get access to both sides of the stage without having to go offstage - there are steps up to the stage from the back area and if we can have the cast on the stage ready to come on without having to come up the steps to do so, so much the better. Costumes are well under way and Jenny is gathering props already. David is looking at how we will set the scenes; we've been dicussing a simple but effective method of ringing the changes using a stone cloth as a static back with various embellishments to create the different scenes. As always, we all pool our knowledge and experience and I fully expect we will come up with something fairly innovative again. The team are truly brilliant and I am so lucky to have so many talented and dedicated people pulling together. We're all working on the kids show and we'll be working together on the Panto along with a few more talented people - I fully expect it to be a blast and although we are not certain of getting the Theatre back in time for putting it on I have booked the Hall as a stand by. Just hoping for a biggish cast to pull it off!
But there I am again, rabbiting on about the end of the year and we're barely started. Maybe I will just toddle off and watch/listen to Terry Pratchett's lecture instead of rambling here. Yes, I will do just that. Night night.
Till next time.
Sunday, 10 January 2010
Happy New Year!
Yes, I know it's the 10th already and most of you have forgotten about the new year and are well on the way to planning for Easter and your summer holidays but I'm determined to let the year happen slowly instead of it's usual breakneck slalom down to the 31st Dec!
Starting a three month supply job in a school in Livingston tomorrow, it's a maternity cover for a P6 class and I'm looking forward to it immensely. Well in some ways anyway, in others I'm quaking in my boots. From what I can discover this school has some different ways of working than others of my ken. they use different materials and schemes of work, which is okay, but I'm nervous about not getting up to speed when there are children who need to be getting tested on their next levels! I have been informed that it is not possible to do any photocopying or find any resources by oneself. There are two staff members who do nothing but, and all requests have to be in a wee blue book and submitted well before the event, so that means I could have a few difficulties until I get organised. As the school is open plan I'm not sure whether or not I'll be able to use music they way I usually do for settling down and doing creative work or for finishing and tidying up. No doubt I'll find out fairly quickly! I understand I have a couple of stage partners who job share the other half of the P6 class and I'm looking forward to meeting them. I've never team taught before so this is all new and will be very interesting and useful for future job applications. Yes, I'll still be looking for jobs even though I have this one. I need to be on the ball and get my fingers into any possible pie as quickly as I can as the probationers from this year will be on the lists soon too! So that'll be me competing with all the unemployed from my year and last year as well as this year! No pressure then!
The workshop is well under way and the rehearsals are going well. We will not be able to use our theatre as it will still be closed but instead will use another hall in the next village. This will be a huge learning curve for all of the production team - we'll be somewhat out of our comfort zone and have to really think about our staging and scenery. The cast are showing great promise and I think this could well be one of our best shows, it certainly has a lot of good catchy songs and that's always a bonus!
Getting asked to vacate the PC now as there is, apparently a need for someone else to use it! As there are no emails in their inbox and the IT skills are limited I suspect there may be a very basic recreational use on the cards.....
Till next time!
Starting a three month supply job in a school in Livingston tomorrow, it's a maternity cover for a P6 class and I'm looking forward to it immensely. Well in some ways anyway, in others I'm quaking in my boots. From what I can discover this school has some different ways of working than others of my ken. they use different materials and schemes of work, which is okay, but I'm nervous about not getting up to speed when there are children who need to be getting tested on their next levels! I have been informed that it is not possible to do any photocopying or find any resources by oneself. There are two staff members who do nothing but, and all requests have to be in a wee blue book and submitted well before the event, so that means I could have a few difficulties until I get organised. As the school is open plan I'm not sure whether or not I'll be able to use music they way I usually do for settling down and doing creative work or for finishing and tidying up. No doubt I'll find out fairly quickly! I understand I have a couple of stage partners who job share the other half of the P6 class and I'm looking forward to meeting them. I've never team taught before so this is all new and will be very interesting and useful for future job applications. Yes, I'll still be looking for jobs even though I have this one. I need to be on the ball and get my fingers into any possible pie as quickly as I can as the probationers from this year will be on the lists soon too! So that'll be me competing with all the unemployed from my year and last year as well as this year! No pressure then!
The workshop is well under way and the rehearsals are going well. We will not be able to use our theatre as it will still be closed but instead will use another hall in the next village. This will be a huge learning curve for all of the production team - we'll be somewhat out of our comfort zone and have to really think about our staging and scenery. The cast are showing great promise and I think this could well be one of our best shows, it certainly has a lot of good catchy songs and that's always a bonus!
Getting asked to vacate the PC now as there is, apparently a need for someone else to use it! As there are no emails in their inbox and the IT skills are limited I suspect there may be a very basic recreational use on the cards.....
Till next time!
Thursday, 19 November 2009
All downhill from here!
Well that's the official start to the silly season. A house here in town has not only got it's Christmas tree up in the window, the lights are also on! I have, in the past, when in the throes of Panto insanity, been known to put the tree up early but I never lit it (except to check the lights worked) until into December. Those days are long past as the girls have been helping trim the tree and put up the decos for years now, but still... The street lights are up as is the town tree (and it has it's lights on too!) but they don't come on until the Christmas Shopping night on the 27th November. I like that. I love when it's chilly (but dry) and maybe even a bit of fog swirling about. It's atmospheric and gets the idea of Christmas and giving, up and running.
Otherwise it's all downhill from here as the panic over how much there is to do sets in and the ulcer develops it's own ulcer. All for the single day in the year that should be the most relaxed and loving. Sigh! I'll continue to dream...
Till next time.
Otherwise it's all downhill from here as the panic over how much there is to do sets in and the ulcer develops it's own ulcer. All for the single day in the year that should be the most relaxed and loving. Sigh! I'll continue to dream...
Till next time.
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Picky, picky, picky!
I thank my learned friend for reminding me that I did indeed post a vast quantity of Christmas cards without stamps last year. However, these were the hand deliver cards that ought never to have seen the outside of a pillar box, let alone the interior aspect!! You know it only takes a moment of inattention or a second of relaxed concentration and the ensuing chaos leaves a lasting trail and memory! I will be using two distinctly separate boxes for this years cards and making a point of putting the stamped cards in one and the hand deliver in the other!! Roll on! I love a challenge......
Till next time!
Till next time!
Monday, 16 November 2009
39 days till Christmas!
Well, sorry, but as my dear daughter took it upon herself to drop that little bombshell on my poor unsuspecting head via Twitter this morning I have been inconsolable. Therefore I decided that everyone should be just as miserable, so there!
Christmas! Crikey! How time flies when you are enjoying yourself... sorry that was a reflex reaction.... where has the year gone? As you will no doubt realise I'm still housebound, sort of, I have managed to get one day a week in a local nursery, but as it's minimum wage it's hardly setting the heather alight! Still collecting dole and still looking for that elusive job.
Not sure if I have finally contracted the horrid swine flu or not. Have had the most awful sore throat and yukky productive cough since last Wednesday but am still realatively able to function - I think if it were the real McCoy I'd be lying in a darkened room somewhere moaning quietly and wishing for oblivion. There again, I'm used to working through things like this and not being off work just because I've a 'bit of a cold' so it could be my work ethos gene is keeping me upright! Vic was off two days last week with something similar but returned to school this morning - I'm not so sure she should have been going in; it would appear that a vast number of staff and pupils are already off and maybe she should have stayed at home, but I wrote the note and sent her off! More coffee needed, excuse me........
That's better! So, what have I been up to? Not a lot obviously, the ever present mountain of laundry is slowly beginning to diminish as I tackle huge chunks of it at a time. I may even haul down some curtains before I'm done, but don't quote me! Very gradually the mess that doubles as our living space is getting sorted. The dining table has appeared like a genie and is now sitting there smugly; daring anyone to dump stuff on it's now empty surface. The Halloween boxes are re-packed and ready to put back into the loft and I have put up the extra shelving in my study and shall make headway with the school stuff tidying in the next few days. When I put the Halloween boxes up I'll bring down the Christmas cards and make a start on writing them. Hopefully I'll be able to cut down on my postage a bit this year as last year I posted over 60 cards! That's a lot of pennies when one has no wage!! The plan is to get the cards written early and go round hand delivering them wherever possible! I have started my Christmas shopping; got a couple of things last week and the week before. I spoke to two of my friends who are in much the same financial boat as I am and we have finally seen the light and agreed not to exchange gifts this year - we usually give each other wine and biscuits and give the kids money, daft when you think about it! So we will send cards and that's all that's needed! Does this mean I'm finally becoming a responsible adult who deals with things in a practical manner instead of the previous 'what the hey, it's only money' approach I used to have? Sigh! Maybe. Then again, maybe not, as I'm still on the lookout for funky stuff for the few pressies I am buying!!
I'm thinking about getting my Christmas decorations up as soon as I possibly can too! Why? Because I love all the sparkly stuff and twinkly lights! I end up rushing at the last minute to get up all my stuff and more often than not don't do half the job I want to in getting it just right. Maybe this year I'll get it done properly with all the lights arranged exactly as I like them and the cards will go up as they come in and not lie in a huge pile till after my birthday and then get flung up any old how.
Hey ho! Have to go and get the next load of stuff sorted for the machine and ironing. May you all have as much fun getting ready for Christmas as I will.
Till next time...
Christmas! Crikey! How time flies when you are enjoying yourself... sorry that was a reflex reaction.... where has the year gone? As you will no doubt realise I'm still housebound, sort of, I have managed to get one day a week in a local nursery, but as it's minimum wage it's hardly setting the heather alight! Still collecting dole and still looking for that elusive job.
Not sure if I have finally contracted the horrid swine flu or not. Have had the most awful sore throat and yukky productive cough since last Wednesday but am still realatively able to function - I think if it were the real McCoy I'd be lying in a darkened room somewhere moaning quietly and wishing for oblivion. There again, I'm used to working through things like this and not being off work just because I've a 'bit of a cold' so it could be my work ethos gene is keeping me upright! Vic was off two days last week with something similar but returned to school this morning - I'm not so sure she should have been going in; it would appear that a vast number of staff and pupils are already off and maybe she should have stayed at home, but I wrote the note and sent her off! More coffee needed, excuse me........
That's better! So, what have I been up to? Not a lot obviously, the ever present mountain of laundry is slowly beginning to diminish as I tackle huge chunks of it at a time. I may even haul down some curtains before I'm done, but don't quote me! Very gradually the mess that doubles as our living space is getting sorted. The dining table has appeared like a genie and is now sitting there smugly; daring anyone to dump stuff on it's now empty surface. The Halloween boxes are re-packed and ready to put back into the loft and I have put up the extra shelving in my study and shall make headway with the school stuff tidying in the next few days. When I put the Halloween boxes up I'll bring down the Christmas cards and make a start on writing them. Hopefully I'll be able to cut down on my postage a bit this year as last year I posted over 60 cards! That's a lot of pennies when one has no wage!! The plan is to get the cards written early and go round hand delivering them wherever possible! I have started my Christmas shopping; got a couple of things last week and the week before. I spoke to two of my friends who are in much the same financial boat as I am and we have finally seen the light and agreed not to exchange gifts this year - we usually give each other wine and biscuits and give the kids money, daft when you think about it! So we will send cards and that's all that's needed! Does this mean I'm finally becoming a responsible adult who deals with things in a practical manner instead of the previous 'what the hey, it's only money' approach I used to have? Sigh! Maybe. Then again, maybe not, as I'm still on the lookout for funky stuff for the few pressies I am buying!!
I'm thinking about getting my Christmas decorations up as soon as I possibly can too! Why? Because I love all the sparkly stuff and twinkly lights! I end up rushing at the last minute to get up all my stuff and more often than not don't do half the job I want to in getting it just right. Maybe this year I'll get it done properly with all the lights arranged exactly as I like them and the cards will go up as they come in and not lie in a huge pile till after my birthday and then get flung up any old how.
Hey ho! Have to go and get the next load of stuff sorted for the machine and ironing. May you all have as much fun getting ready for Christmas as I will.
Till next time...
Monday, 26 October 2009
This is getting boring...
Why? Because I still have had no indication of there being any work at all from any quarter. Short of going out in a sandwich-board offering my services (and yes, it crossed my mind!) I have no hope of anything yet. Local Authorities have practically no jobs to speak of in any area let alone teaching, and I am now looking at trying to get a job in a local coffee shop when it opens next week - but as there are hundreds of people looking for work - the chances are slim to say the least.
Anyhooo... Biggar Little Festival drew to a conclusion last night and was I glad? Yes I was! Not because it had been boring but because it has been so busy! Biggar Shorts last Monday was frantic fun - finally managed to get a grip on most of the dialogue, but mega thanks to Gil who kept an eye on me and gave me the subtlest prompts to keep me moving through the sticky bits! Mostly Musicals on Friday was great fun! The Vaughn Williams came together at last and I think it went down well. The rest of the show was pretty good too, though the Rossini may have just slipped a bit in the last section.... however the wine was flowing after in the bar so that was all right then! In fact I found I partied a little harder than I would normally have done and the results were not happy at all. Discovered that Champagne and red wine truly do not make for a happy mix. Saturday was a bit of a washout as I was not firing on any cylinders for most of the morning. Did not dare to drive till late in the afternoon...
Not to worry, I will get back to having a glass of red eventually - perhaps just not this week....
Final barge at the theatre emptying and clearing this week and next. The last items need to be packed up and put away. Juniors Halloween party on Wednesday night then the Farewell Fling on Friday 6th November and then we're shut for the duration!
Ah me! The end of an era indeed.
Till next time....
Anyhooo... Biggar Little Festival drew to a conclusion last night and was I glad? Yes I was! Not because it had been boring but because it has been so busy! Biggar Shorts last Monday was frantic fun - finally managed to get a grip on most of the dialogue, but mega thanks to Gil who kept an eye on me and gave me the subtlest prompts to keep me moving through the sticky bits! Mostly Musicals on Friday was great fun! The Vaughn Williams came together at last and I think it went down well. The rest of the show was pretty good too, though the Rossini may have just slipped a bit in the last section.... however the wine was flowing after in the bar so that was all right then! In fact I found I partied a little harder than I would normally have done and the results were not happy at all. Discovered that Champagne and red wine truly do not make for a happy mix. Saturday was a bit of a washout as I was not firing on any cylinders for most of the morning. Did not dare to drive till late in the afternoon...
Not to worry, I will get back to having a glass of red eventually - perhaps just not this week....
Final barge at the theatre emptying and clearing this week and next. The last items need to be packed up and put away. Juniors Halloween party on Wednesday night then the Farewell Fling on Friday 6th November and then we're shut for the duration!
Ah me! The end of an era indeed.
Till next time....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
