Today is the last day of a very hectic and hugely enjoyable term. It was always going to be a challenge switching schools after so long in one place, especially since anxiety is practically my middle name, but it really is the best thing I could possibly have done.
I've gone from a medium sized boarding school in the middle of nowhere surrounded by fields to a small day school in the middle of town. Being a smaller school means that there is much more of a community spirit than I'm used to which could have been quite intimidating but I took the decision early on to try to get involved and become a full part of the team. This has meant occasional trips to the pub after school on a Friday, where the Head buys everyone a drink and then leaves! It's also meant joining the staff choir and performing at the carol concert which was just brilliant! This afternoon I'll be attending my first ever staff Christmas party, after avoiding them for the past 17 years. Part of this is obviously due to a change in my mindset but it's also the atmosphere of the place and the people.
The really big difference though is in my relationship with the teachers. At my last school the physics teachers quite frankly took the piss! They's say 'you're a superstar' or whatever but only because I was putting up with their shit without complaint. Yes I'd get a bottle of prosecco or similar at the end of term but I don't think I ever really felt appreciated and valued. It's easy to say to someone that you value them, but it means nothing if you don't show it. Here things are different. On a number of occasions my HoD has missed his break or part of lunch to help me clear up after a particularly big practical. Not because I asked him to but because he cares enough to want to help. The other physics teachers are the same. Not a day goes by without one of them asking if I need help to carry things around or to put away the equipment. Honestly that's worth more than all the fancy bottles of wine in the world!
Showing posts with label happy thoughts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label happy thoughts. Show all posts
Friday, 14 December 2018
Monday, 3 September 2018
Hello again!
Good grief, has it really been almost 3 years since I was last here?
There is a good reason, honest. I've spent the past 2 years out of the prep room, working as a Science Administrator which has mostly involved spreadsheets and minute-taking. Not exactly thrilling, either for you or for me! Eventually the mind-numbing tedium wore me down so around Easter this year I started looking for technician jobs and I got lucky.
A lovely school much closer to home than my last one was looking for a Physics Technician so I applied and I got the job! I've been here for a week and am starting to get settled in and I really think I'm going to be very happy here. The other technicians are lovely and the HoD has been really supportive. Students don't start until Friday, so that's when the job really gets going and I honestly can't wait.
There is a good reason, honest. I've spent the past 2 years out of the prep room, working as a Science Administrator which has mostly involved spreadsheets and minute-taking. Not exactly thrilling, either for you or for me! Eventually the mind-numbing tedium wore me down so around Easter this year I started looking for technician jobs and I got lucky.
A lovely school much closer to home than my last one was looking for a Physics Technician so I applied and I got the job! I've been here for a week and am starting to get settled in and I really think I'm going to be very happy here. The other technicians are lovely and the HoD has been really supportive. Students don't start until Friday, so that's when the job really gets going and I honestly can't wait.
Wednesday, 9 October 2013
12 years later...
Today is my 12th anniversary of starting work as a lab technician.
At the time I was a single mother with a 6 year old daughter and desperate to get back into work, but worried about affording childcare. A job in a school felt like the ideal solution, at least temporarily. My mum had been a biology technician for years so I knew at least partly what I was getting myself into and I was delighted to be offered the post of physics technician at my local secondary school for 20 hours a week.
After 3 years there I decided I wanted to go full time and found a job at a nearby independent school, then 3 more years later ended up in my current position. I never expected to be a technician for anywhere near this long, but it turns out that it's a job I quite enjoy (usually) and at which I am reasonably good. I've found a school I love which pays just about enough to live on. If only I didn't have such a long commute to get here every day it would be perfect.
Across 3 schools I have experienced a great deal of variation in how technicians are treated, but here I feel like I am (mostly!) respected and (often) treated as a professional colleague by the teachers and management. My job is varied and interesing, I am constantly learning new things. For all my grumbling I would have to say that for the most part I am happy with my lot.
In another 12 years I'll be 50. Will I still be a technician? I really hope so.
At the time I was a single mother with a 6 year old daughter and desperate to get back into work, but worried about affording childcare. A job in a school felt like the ideal solution, at least temporarily. My mum had been a biology technician for years so I knew at least partly what I was getting myself into and I was delighted to be offered the post of physics technician at my local secondary school for 20 hours a week.
After 3 years there I decided I wanted to go full time and found a job at a nearby independent school, then 3 more years later ended up in my current position. I never expected to be a technician for anywhere near this long, but it turns out that it's a job I quite enjoy (usually) and at which I am reasonably good. I've found a school I love which pays just about enough to live on. If only I didn't have such a long commute to get here every day it would be perfect.
Across 3 schools I have experienced a great deal of variation in how technicians are treated, but here I feel like I am (mostly!) respected and (often) treated as a professional colleague by the teachers and management. My job is varied and interesing, I am constantly learning new things. For all my grumbling I would have to say that for the most part I am happy with my lot.
In another 12 years I'll be 50. Will I still be a technician? I really hope so.
Friday, 28 June 2013
End of term!
Yay! It's the end of term.
It's felt like an unusually busy year and it looks like next year will be just as bad, if not worse, but we made it and now we've got a lovely break to look forward to.
We're saying goodbye to 2 members of science staff, but in September we'll be welcoming 3 new faces which is always exciting.
Right now there's nothing else to say except....
Happy summer everyone! :)
Thursday, 18 October 2012
Nearly there
Tomorrow we break up for half term after an incredibly hectic 7 weeks. The term from september to christmas is always the hardest and this year is proving no different. Most of the teachers and students seem to be virtually sleep-walking through the day.
So, to those who are counting the hours, I have this to say:
Wednesday, 30 May 2012
It really IS rocket science!
Our rocket building day with the pre-prep on monday was so much fun!
We gave them a little talk about rockets, and where in the solar system we have visited and then we began the build. Year 1 made simple cone/cup rockets and year 2 had some rather more complex kits to build. I ended up helping the year 2s, explaining what to do and helping them with the fiddly bits. Once the kids went for their lunch break, HoD and I had just over an hour to fit the engines to all 40 rockets and get them ready to fire and then we headed to the field to launch.
Tell you what though, those little people can be hard work! They never stop talking! By the end of the day I was utterly shattered.
We had a lovely email yesterday from one of the pre-prep teachers saying how much all the children had enjoyed themselves and how enthusiatic they were about rockets.
Makes it all worthwhile!
We gave them a little talk about rockets, and where in the solar system we have visited and then we began the build. Year 1 made simple cone/cup rockets and year 2 had some rather more complex kits to build. I ended up helping the year 2s, explaining what to do and helping them with the fiddly bits. Once the kids went for their lunch break, HoD and I had just over an hour to fit the engines to all 40 rockets and get them ready to fire and then we headed to the field to launch.
Rockets on the launch pads
Some of the kids were quite nervous about the prospect of loud noises and explosives, but most seemed quite excited. and the launching went really well!
Tell you what though, those little people can be hard work! They never stop talking! By the end of the day I was utterly shattered.
We had a lovely email yesterday from one of the pre-prep teachers saying how much all the children had enjoyed themselves and how enthusiatic they were about rockets.
Makes it all worthwhile!
Thursday, 17 May 2012
PDR done
I had my suspicions that doing my PDR might bring me to the verge of tears, but I thought that would be due to frustration or anger. I never dreamed it would be as a result of people being nice to me!
I filled in the self review parts of the form, being as honest as I could about what I see as my strengths and weaknesses and then turned it over to my HoD and the Head of Science for their comments. When i got it back for signing I could not believe how much praise they lavished on me.
HoD described me as 'one of the best' and 'incredibly supportive' and Head of Science said I am 'exemplary in all areas of work' and 'proactive in improving the department'.
I knew that my HoD values what I do, but it is so nice to hear it from elsewhere and it is a massive boost to my confidence to find that people think I'm doing a good job. :)
I filled in the self review parts of the form, being as honest as I could about what I see as my strengths and weaknesses and then turned it over to my HoD and the Head of Science for their comments. When i got it back for signing I could not believe how much praise they lavished on me.
HoD described me as 'one of the best' and 'incredibly supportive' and Head of Science said I am 'exemplary in all areas of work' and 'proactive in improving the department'.
I knew that my HoD values what I do, but it is so nice to hear it from elsewhere and it is a massive boost to my confidence to find that people think I'm doing a good job. :)
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
It's my birthday.
Woo! Or not really, because I'm at work today.
When I'm Emperor of the Universe no one will have to work on their birthdays. Sadly I'm not Emperor yet though, so here we are.
About 5 minutes into period one my HoD came dashing into the prep room with a slightly panicked look on his face. 'Teacher X has a problem, can you come and help?', he said, so I dutifully followed him into lab 3 at which point the whole year 9 physics class began to sing 'Happy Birthday' and the teachers gave me a card and flowers.
I was horribly embarrassed and probably went a delightful shade of beetroot, but it's really sweet that they remembered me.
When I'm Emperor of the Universe no one will have to work on their birthdays. Sadly I'm not Emperor yet though, so here we are.
About 5 minutes into period one my HoD came dashing into the prep room with a slightly panicked look on his face. 'Teacher X has a problem, can you come and help?', he said, so I dutifully followed him into lab 3 at which point the whole year 9 physics class began to sing 'Happy Birthday' and the teachers gave me a card and flowers.
Friday, 27 April 2012
Apparently, I'm awesome!
Well, we already knew that but now it's official.
A month or 2 back I persuaded my HoD to nominate me for the Salter's National Awards for Science Technicians and I found out just recently that I have been shortlisted in the final 8.
Sometime in june they are going to come to the school for a chat with the Head, HoD and me, and then we have to wait and see.
It'd be brilliant if I won. Not just for me, but also for the department. We're always trying to raise the profile of physics in the school and every bit of extra positive publicity helps.
Fingers crossed!
A month or 2 back I persuaded my HoD to nominate me for the Salter's National Awards for Science Technicians and I found out just recently that I have been shortlisted in the final 8.
Sometime in june they are going to come to the school for a chat with the Head, HoD and me, and then we have to wait and see.
It'd be brilliant if I won. Not just for me, but also for the department. We're always trying to raise the profile of physics in the school and every bit of extra positive publicity helps.
Fingers crossed!
Thursday, 1 September 2011
New Chair!
My department have got me a new chair. This is very exciting!
I used to sit on this, which was hard and uncomfortable and gave me backache, not to mention a numb backside.
But now I have this, which is comfy and soft, plus I can twirl around on it. Unfortunately it is slightly too low for my desk, but frankly I don't care.
I have a comfy chair! Yay!
Friday, 1 July 2011
They do care!
Some days you feel like no one appreciates anything you do and you're totally being taken for granted.
Today is not one of those days! My HoD and another physics teacher have just given me a HUGE bunch of flowers, a bottle of champagne and a card to thank me for all my hard work this academic year.
Today is not one of those days! My HoD and another physics teacher have just given me a HUGE bunch of flowers, a bottle of champagne and a card to thank me for all my hard work this academic year.
Tuesday, 14 June 2011
I love a freebie!
Monday, 9 May 2011
Positivity
I grumble a lot (and will continue to do so!) but I thought I would start the week on a more positive note by thinking about the stuff I love about my job.
1) The money. Sorry to sound mercenary, but isn't that why we all go to work in the first place? I'd like more money, obviously, but I'm not badly paid at all especially when you take into account...
2) The food. We get all our meals provided while we're at work as well as tea/coffee, and the food is goood as my waist line clearly demonstrates! So far I've managed to avoid the temptation of breakfast. I think a fry up or croissants every day might tip me over the line into the realms of morbid obesity.
3) The location. I have quite a drive to get to work, but it's so worth it. There are stunning views of the countryside and we're only a 5 minute walk from the local reservoir which is a lovely place to take a sandwich and a book during summer lunch breaks.
4) The holidays. Independent school = long holidays. Unpaid sadly, but we can't have everything!
And probably most importantly...
5) The people. My department are lovely even though I complain about them, and the rest of the staff are just as friendly and supportive. In previous schools I've felt a divide between academic and support staff but I don't get that here at all.
Phew, what a lot of nice stuff to think about.
Normal grumbling will resume shortly I'm sure. :)
1) The money. Sorry to sound mercenary, but isn't that why we all go to work in the first place? I'd like more money, obviously, but I'm not badly paid at all especially when you take into account...
2) The food. We get all our meals provided while we're at work as well as tea/coffee, and the food is goood as my waist line clearly demonstrates! So far I've managed to avoid the temptation of breakfast. I think a fry up or croissants every day might tip me over the line into the realms of morbid obesity.
3) The location. I have quite a drive to get to work, but it's so worth it. There are stunning views of the countryside and we're only a 5 minute walk from the local reservoir which is a lovely place to take a sandwich and a book during summer lunch breaks.
4) The holidays. Independent school = long holidays. Unpaid sadly, but we can't have everything!
And probably most importantly...
5) The people. My department are lovely even though I complain about them, and the rest of the staff are just as friendly and supportive. In previous schools I've felt a divide between academic and support staff but I don't get that here at all.
Phew, what a lot of nice stuff to think about.
Normal grumbling will resume shortly I'm sure. :)
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