Anything goes for Uni

[judydawn]

Morning ladies, interesting comment from you Robyn - thinking of retirement? 

Kim, it's tiring getting sorted but fun at the same time going through all the gear you have had packed up for so long.  Plod along, you'll get there.

[johnro]

Judy that comment has passed my lips many times especially this year - I would finish in a heartbeat if I knew that boredom would not be my enemy.  Hope  that your day holds some positive news re Geoff Judy xx

[judydawn]

Thanks Robyn. The wedding dessert lady perhaps?

[Yvette]

Morning all 

[goldfish]

Judy that comment has passed my lips many times especially this year - I would finish in a heartbeat if I knew that boredom would not be my enemy.  Hope  that your day holds some positive news re Geoff Judy xx

Robyn - I think you would be surprised.  For days after I put in my notice, I almost had panic attacks!!  What have I done!?  What will I do (if I don't have this to come to . . .etc)  But to cut a long, long story short, when I got into the car at the end of that last day (and I had stayed for a couple of hours trying to make sure loose ends etc were tied up) and drove off into the sunset, I swear I could feel at least a ton of weight come off my shoulders - and that feeling is still there - Friends and family have stated categorically, "now you can see what this has been doing to you!  You should have left ages ago . . ."  etc. etc.

It wasn't the teaching, nor the children - it was the 30 hours a day/9 days a week paperwork, endless documentation about any and every little thing that happened - or should have happened!, petty petty rules and regulations that we'd survived without for years, commonsense out the window, etc etc etc. that took its toll.  The principal wants me back for casual teaching which is nice, but now I'll be able to enjoy the children (albeit for a day or so) without all this other stuff to cope with at the end of the day (read there - at home until midnight - if you're lucky!!)  Even though I'd cut back to part time last year and this, the stress levels didn't seem to alter that much with all that was going on.

Robyn, if you do decide to "change direction" - and really, that's all it is  -I'd be surprised if you're not bowled over with what will flood into your life!  (hehe - just remember Dory letting go in Finding Nemo!! )

[obbie]

Johnro, good luck with whatever you decide with changing direction.

Changes are good.   some are meant to be..
Goldfish. glad you like retirement.

[cookie1]

GF you have described the feeling perfectly. In fact after a few months or so my friends were telling me that I looked years younger and so well. It takes it toll on you. The never ending write ups of all the happenings etc etc. no support fromAdmin etc I am sure I don't need to tell you.  I was acting admin but the boss was.       I am too polite to say it. Everyone hated her. I loved the job but just couldn't cope with her. People came to me and she would carry on and scream and yell.

GF it takes a while to get over ' have to do everything on the weekend' syndrome but volunteering is fun and walking groups and so much you can now do, like get your hair cut during the week etc.

[goldfish]

Thanks, Cookie - and come to think of it, I do need to get to the hairdresser . . 

Seriously, I sometimes wonder whether there'll be any staff left the way things are going . . . people I was working with -  a heck of a lot younger than I - are exhausted - some almost to the point of being burnt out and this is just the end of term 1 - another three to go and through winter as well..  . . dedication is one thing - but there's a huge "however" in the mix there . . And I know what you mean about admin!!

[mcmich]

I sometimes think I would like to retire. I only do 3 days a week, probably think seriously about it after 55 - that's only 2 years away.  I have been saying a definite NO to extra shifts this year. I suppose the difference for me is that I'm still loving what I do and let all the hierarchy stuff go over my head.

[johnro]

....the A word has become a massive issue at school this year - I think know that our new boss is in way over her head but obviously knew what to b....... to kiss to make the way up the ladder - just absolutely h......... - by gosh I could end up being challenged about my ethics!!!!! But I can add that I have never witnessed such a unified feeling towards a principal!!!! ooops there I go again

[johnro]

...I too love the coal face tasks Mich but Cookie and GF have summarised the exact crap that goes on in education.  I am not sure any of us received an education given there was an absence of clap trap   

[goldfish]

.  I am not sure any of us received an education given there was an absence of clap trap   

    my sentiments exactly, Robyn - we must be just all dead in the water . . .

[cookie1]

It is so lovely to know that WA isn't the only state that has those education problems.

[mcmich]

...I too love the coal face tasks Mich but Cookie and GF have summarised the exact crap that goes on in education.  I am not sure any of us received an education given there was an absence of clap trap   

This must be teacher jargon  "clap trap"?  Please explain 

[johnro]

...justification for the existence of bureaucrats Michelle