Summer holidays: where good intentions come to die

If you get all your planning done in July, then you can relax for the rest of the holiday. Or at least by early August. Or the week before you’re back to school? Michael Tidd prevaricates
24th August 2020, 12:09pm

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Summer holidays: where good intentions come to die

https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/summer-holidays-where-good-intentions-come-die
What Kind Of Half-term Holiday Teacher Are You?

Friday 24 July

Term is finally over. It’s been a long time coming, but I’m looking forward to the break. Everyone will be rushing off on holiday straight away, so I’m going to take the first few days to get all my work done ready for September, and then I can relax all through the rest of the holidays. 

Monday 27 July

I’m going to go into school today and set up my classroom, and get the plans for the new history topic written. Oh, and do all my photocopying. And I might even get that subject action plan written. At this rate, I might be the first one to submit it. 

It’s going to be a full-on day, so I’d best just have breakfast before I start…and I’ll just watch the first property on Homes Under the Hammer.

Tuesday 28 July

Didn’t get into school yesterday. Got sucked in by Dion Dublin. I can’t believe how cheap property is in Teesside in 2013. I’m tempted to look for teaching jobs there for next year. Don’t know exactly where it is yet, but they sounded Northern, so maybe Manchester way? Anyway, definitely getting into school today.

Friday 31 July

I wonder if Tipping Point works like jury service - can you get your slot delayed until the summer holidays? I could easily make a few quid from that. Or maybe Pointless.  

Anyway, meeting up with Mark and Emma from school today. Haven’t sorted my classroom yet, but we’ll probably get started on some planning today, and then I’ll be fired up for next week.

Tuesday 3 August…or is it 4 August?

Weather was too nice for any schoolwork today. Finished my second book of the holidays, and decided I need to buy a Kindle. Started looking online, and nearly ended up with a new laptop as well. If we have to do video lessons next year, I’ll need something. Wonder if I can get school to buy it?

Friday

I don’t think it was the 4th or 5th yesterday, as apparently today it’s Friday. Not sure how that happened. That’s a second week I’ve not made it into school. Still, I reckon if I do one day a week of work, I’ll still be set for September. Today I’m going to get that history planning done.

The weekend

Just had the reminder from the garage that my car is due for its service. I need to get that done before term starts so booked it in online. They say you have to get the car there for 8.30 am. I haven’t been up before 9 am once this week - how do I do 6 am starts in term time?

Around week 3 or 4…ish

Car serviced (expensive!), went into town for stationery bits (expensive!), and did a big shop. There seems to be a lot of old people about moving very slowly. Took me over an hour to get around the supermarket, so couldn’t get into school. Think the caretaker’s away next week, so will have to do it before we go back.

August the 20-something

Checked emails today. Big mistake. Rachel’s already sent her action plan to everyone, along with a to-do list. I’ve lost the email with the template. Realised I can’t plan the history because the book is in school and caretaker is away this week. Oh, well, it’ll have to wait.

Bank-holiday weekend

Urgh, I hate it when everyone else is off too: it’s like they’re stealing my holiday. Decided to get some planning started today. I’ve done lessons one and two - I’ll get the rest done in my PPA the first week back. How many weeks till half term?

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