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Title: ITT and the Chalet School Post by Lisa_T on Oct 15th, 2003, 1:40am NB: for those of you who don't know, ITT= Initial Teacher Training. This came from a conversation earlier. Unfortunately most of the ideas were libellous so not sure if I can transpose them literally! ;D Catherine, Lulie, Kathryn and all you other teachers/ intending teachers out there...and everyone else of course! Use this thread as an opportunity for revenge against officious education departments, fussy ITT lecturers, and of course, students who do not understnad the principle of 'shuddup and listen to the pearls of wisdom I am trying to pour before you..' ****************** The Staff of the Chalet School stared at their Head Mistress in aghast silence. "You can't be serious," said Nancy Wilmot blankly. "How did they hear about us?" wailed Ruth Derwent. "It's not as if we're in their back yard, so to speak.I could understand it then!" Miss Annersley looked sternly at her juniors. "Unfortunately, I am deadly serious and, in case you hadn't noticed, Ruth, we are a school of some repute in England and elsewhere! It's perfectly natural they should want to use us," she finished with a most un Head-like smirk. "What does it involve?" asked Kathie Ferrars practically. Miss Annersley turned thankfully to answer a sensible comment- at last! "Basically, we have been asked by the Department of Education to take three student teachers this term. They will be joining-" here she paused- "the Maths, English and History departments." Whereat Nancy and Ruth groaned, and the Head of the History department, Rosemary Charlesworth, unwillingly dragged her attention from the latest Mills and Boon novel that she had been surreptitously reading under her table, and focused on the Head. "Surely it can't be so bad," observed Nancy, ever the optimist. "I mean, they're all adults, they're graduates, all we need to do is hang around while they teach our classes." She stopped and grinned. "Hey, you folk! Look at it this way. We'll have more time for our own work!" and Nancy beamed around at them, blissfully unaware of how very wrong she was. |
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Title: Re: ITT and the Chalet School Post by Lesley on Oct 15th, 2003, 7:37am Love the fact that Miss Charlesworth was reading Mills and Boon in a Staff Meeting! More please - never having been a teacher - except for nurses on ward - can't really add to it myself! |
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Title: Re: ITT and the Chalet School Post by Kathryn on Oct 15th, 2003, 7:46am Could be very interesting. Will add something when I've got some energy. Maybe tomorrow as the entire tertiary system in OZ is going on strike (in theory) to protest the proposed changes to the higher education system. Mind you, apparently the last time we were on strike, members of the History Department set themselves up on deckchairs on the picket line and had a great day. |
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Title: Re: ITT and the Chalet School Post by Marianne on Oct 15th, 2003, 11:11am (i am not a teacher but both my parents are so i have SOME idea of whats going on!) Miss Annersley beemed at her optimistic junior, 'Yes, thank-you Nancy, i'm sure none of you will have any problems at all.' 'When dod they arrive Hilda?' asked the mills and boon fan. Miss Annersley laughed a nervous little laugh and replied, in haste, 'today-kaffee and kuchen.' |
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Title: Re: ITT and the Chalet School Post by Lisa_T on Oct 15th, 2003, 11:17am Feel free to pitch in, Marianne- and anyone else!! Everyone's face fell. That meant someone would have to miss Karen's delicious meal in order to meet them and be polite, and they all looked hopefully and the Head who gave them a bland smile. "What will this involve?" Kathie asked cautiously. "Oh, lots and lots of things," said Miss Annersley brightly. "You need to understand your paperwork. And then there's the new initiatives. Things like numeracy and literacy strands, SMSC, National Curriculum, SEN and G&T provision-" "G&T?" muttered Rosalind Moore to Kathie. "That sounds OK. I could do with a G&T when I'm with some of those demons in the Fourths!" |
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Title: Re: ITT and the Chalet School Post by Rachael P on Oct 15th, 2003, 12:12pm Kathie giggled appreciatively before asking the Head to explain the acronyms. (well, more for my benefit really! :D) |
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Title: Re: ITT and the Chalet School Post by Lisa_T on Oct 15th, 2003, 1:57pm The Head gave them a pitying smile. "I'm very sorry to see that none of you have kept abreast with the latest developments in education," she told them gently. "From this week, we are subscribing to the TES, and it is required reading for all of you." Her gaze swept the room. "Now. SEN is Special Educational Needs. That speaks for itself. We'll need to appoint a SENCO, naturally-" "Senko? That sounds like a kind of rude slang!" Nancy said to Rosalie, who only just managed to suppress a burst of laughter. "Then we have SMSC," the Head continued, oblivious to these undercurrents, " and that's 'social moral spiritual and cultural' education. Again that speaks for itself, but as it's a cross curricular strand it will affect all of you. However, as a boarding school, I believe we do quite well on that front." She gave satisfied smile. "Have I forgotten anything?" "Good!" hissed Rosalind Moore at Kathie again. "Maybe that means that G&T really is a gin and tonic." The Head had heard, and she glared at the unfortunate Geography head. "I am sorry to inform those of you with alcoholic tendencies that 'G&T' does NOT stand for 'gin and tonic', appearances to the contrary. This means 'gifted and talented' and we need to develop a method of dealing with those girls too. Now that is all," and so saying, she left them, snowed under a heap of educational jargon.. |
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Title: Re: ITT and the Chalet School Post by Rachael P on Oct 15th, 2003, 3:17pm Unperturbed by the Head's diktat, Rosalind grabbed a piece of chalk and headed for the Staff blackboard, scribbling quickly. "What on earth?" demanded Nancy "Well our nominated SENCO may be able to deal with special needs pupils but what about our SLIBs and LOBNAHs? Rosalind grinned down at her peers, a impish glint in her eye which would have made Ailie Russell look like a young saint in comparison. "Slibs and Lobnahs? What are you getting at, Ros?" "Sadly Lacking In Brains and Lights On But Noone At Home" explained Rosalind, tapping out each letter having written her acronyms on the board. "What about the TCBHs?" enquired Ruth Derwent, quick to catch on to her friend's mischief. Rosalind winked at her and added the letters to the board before nodding at Ruth to explain herself. "Too Clever By Halfs" spluttered, Ruth, overcome by her own sense of humour. In a matter of seconds, the room was in uproar as the staff vied with each other to come up with increasingly weird and wonderful acronyms. The peals of laughter reverberated round the room and those girls fortunate enough to be passing within earshot wondered what on earth had possessed their usually dignified mistresses. |
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Title: Re: ITT and the Chalet School Post by PatW on Oct 15th, 2003, 3:25pm CS mistresses dignified? ??? ??? ??? ??? How often have they laughed so hard that they've fallen off their chairs? ??? ??? ;D ;D ;D ;D |
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Title: Re: ITT and the Chalet School Post by Rachael P on Oct 15th, 2003, 3:48pm Kathie grabbed Nancy for support, tears coursing down therr cheeks. Rosalie gasped for breath. Rosalind and Ruth clutched their sides, in stitches. Rosemary Charlesworth dropped her Mills & Boon novel and slid gracefully under the table. Linda Stone rocked back and forth on her chair so vehemently that the legs departed from the back and she was strewn unceremoniously onto the floor. Into this melee strode Miss Annersley, closely followed by Miss Wilson ... eyes glinting dangerously. |
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Title: Re: ITT and the Chalet School Post by Vikki on Oct 15th, 2003, 5:31pm This is great! Love seeing the silly side of the staff! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D |
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Title: MRe: ITT and the Chalet School Post by Lisa_T on Oct 15th, 2003, 5:42pm Miss Annersley stopped dead and then backed rapidly out of the door, much to the astonishment of those of the staff who had recovered sufficiently to notice her entrance. They were not to know that the Heads had come in to introduce the students, and on seeing the current state of the Staff en masse, had had second thoughts.. |
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Title: Re: ITT and the Chalet School Post by catherine on Oct 15th, 2003, 10:46pm "Umm, er, your colleagues are a little indisposed at present." She said weakly. "Perhaps you'd like a tour of the school?" Nell Wilson decided to salvage the situation and the students, greatly wondering, meekly followed their two Heads back down the corridor. |
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Title: Re: ITT and the Chalet School Post by Kathryn on Oct 16th, 2003, 1:13am on 10/15/03 at 15:17:47, Rachael P wrote:
How about SLSIC: Sullen Little Sod in the Corner? |
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Title: Re: ITT and the Chalet School Post by KB on Oct 16th, 2003, 1:18am *giggles hysterically* Kathryn, you shouldn't call your students that! |
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Title: Re: ITT and the Chalet School Post by Lisa_T on Oct 16th, 2003, 1:38am The Staff carried on. Only Kathie had noticed the Head's entrance and quick exit, and while she had wondered at that lady's unaccustomed verbal restraint, she had been enjoying herself too much to worry unduly. She turned back to the others in time to hear Nancy say dreamily, "Rosalind, I've just thought of another." "What's that, then?" Rosalind asked, hand posed to write. "SLSIC," Nancy returned with a grin. There was a blank silence. "Which means....?" asked Kathie. "Sullen Little Sod In Corner," Nancy told them solemnly. There was a moment's pause, and then the Staff collapsed once more into hysterics at this painfully apt acronym. "That was great, Nancy," said Rosalie, wiping her eyes. "I only wish the Abbess could have heard you!" |
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Title: Re: ITT and the Chalet School Post by Kathryn on Oct 16th, 2003, 1:43am on 10/16/03 at 01:18:09, KB wrote:
If you saw him, you'd know why! "I did hear you and so did your juniors who seem to be acting more like responsible adults than my own staff!" thundered the Abbess, who had returned to collect the ciriculum outline to show the student teachers. |
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Title: Re: ITT and the Chalet School Post by Lisa_T on Oct 16th, 2003, 1:47am At this point the student teachers realised that they might be superfluous to requirements and melted discreetly out of sight, having no wish to be victimised by the resident staff for the rest of their placement. They wondered down the corridor and foregathered outside the Head's study, looking disconsolately first at each other, and then at the mugs they had all carried. Their various institutions had warned them that the surest way to Staff Room conflicts was to pinch someone's mug and they had come prepared. Or thought they had.. |
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Title: Re: ITT and the Chalet School Post by Lisa_T on Oct 16th, 2003, 9:22pm "I need coffee," said one of them, a thin young man with lanky hair and a squint. His HEI disliked him so much that they had sent him here in order to have an excuse not to visit him. It's a little far from Merseyside to Switzerland for just an observation and conversation. His companions, a very small, slight girl with big brown eyes and blonde curls, and a tall thin one with poker straight hair and a big nose, nodded at him. "Yes, especially after all that trsvelling," sighed Blondie. "My aunt went to the Chalet School, you know. She always said it was such a welcoming place. Can't say I've seen much sign of it," and she finished with a sniff. Poker simply looked at them gravely. "Well, if you want coffee, let's try the Head's study. Didn't you notice a mains lead coming from one of her cupboards? I bet that's a kettle. We might even be able to pinch some of the stupid paperwork coll wants. You know the stuff- intake profile, IEPS, DfES guidelines.." |
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Title: Re: ITT and the Chalet School Post by PatW on Oct 16th, 2003, 10:26pm I was introduced to a new collection of letters today, and you're all going to love them. EBD!!!! It means - Educational Behaviour Difficulties!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D |
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Title: Re: ITT and the Chalet School Post by Vikki on Oct 16th, 2003, 10:59pm I'm loving this!!! More please!! |
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Title: Re: ITT and the Chalet School Post by Carolyn P on Oct 16th, 2003, 11:05pm on 10/16/03 at 22:26:44, PatW wrote:
We always use that for Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties. But given my experience with SENCO's who think that the LEA can and should ignore the code of practice I'm loving seeing all the jargon treated like this. Wonderful, more please!! |
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Title: Re: ITT and the Chalet School Post by Lisa_T on Oct 16th, 2003, 11:05pm AAH. Don't get me started on EBD (how strange to write those letters in a different context). Sometimes I think it's invented just to get difficult kids out of normal classes (when it's streamed) and into the SEN group. Result: SEN group is a nightmare to teach! Mind you, those kids are a nightmare anywhere, but I sometimes feel that by labelling them SEN schools are potentially diverting resources away from other kids who could really do with them. |
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Title: Re: ITT and the Chalet School Post by catherine on Oct 16th, 2003, 11:21pm "I wouldn't, you know." A voice remarked smoothly from the doorway, as its owner surveyed the students rooting through various filing cabinets and files. The students dropped what they were doing and swung round like startled rabbits. "M-Miss A-Annersley." They stammered. "Ah. So you remember my name, at least!" The Head remarked, a nasty inflection in her voice. "Perhaps, if you cast your curious minds back a few moments, you might also remember that this happens to be my study and mine alone? It is generally considered good manners to wait to be asked into a private room and it is certainly not good practice to go through confidential information!" "W-we d-didn't realise i-it was c-confidential." Blondie stammered. "No? Perhaps not. Let me rephrase it: you are not to go through any files in this school without the specific permission of myself or the mistress with whom you shall be working. You will be given access to the papers you need. Is that clear?" "Y-yes." They stammered. "Good! Likewise, it would be better for you to wait to be invited to coffee in my room, instead of availing yourself of its facilities regardless! There are certain protocols that apply and whatever you might have been taught, however you might have been brought up, it would be as well to find out how a particular school functions and to respect the ways in which it does and not ride roughshod over everything! Now perhaps you would care to return to the staffroom where you will find your future colleagues ready to induct you into the life you will lead for the next few weeks!" |
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Title: Re: ITT and the Chalet School Post by Lisa_T on Oct 16th, 2003, 11:27pm The students cast rueful glances at each other as they left the room. Miss Annersley watched them go, trying not to smile. She had been genuinely annoyed by the scene she had found on her entrance, but that did not prevent her from relishing- just a little- the sight of student teachers being cut down to size and behaving like pupils themselves again. "All the same," she thought as she checked her cabinets, "I think I'll keep this little episode to myself. Don't want to give them even more difficulties with the rest of the Staff!" |
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Title: Re: ITT and the Chalet School Post by catherine on Oct 16th, 2003, 11:33pm In that she was quite right for although the students were welcomed by the staff as a whole and by the individual departments, there was a slight lack of enthusiasm and Blondie at least, was put out to see that the camaraderie that existed between the Chalet School staff was not readily extended to themselves. They settled themselves in a corner of the room, curriculum documents spread out in front of them and tried to blot out their unsuccessful arrival and concentrate on what they would be expected to teach. |
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Title: Re: ITT and the Chalet School Post by Lisa_T on Oct 16th, 2003, 11:41pm "Do you know who you're taking?" Poker - whose real name was Sarah- whispered to Blondie and Reggie ;) as they went through their papers. Blondie cast an eye to the rest of the staff before she answered. "Yes. All Fourths," she said ruefully. "That's not so bad," Reggie put in with the superior mien that seemed to be such a part of him. "They're only kids, after all. How bad can they be?" Blondie glared at him before deliberately turning her back on him. "What about yourself?" she asked Sarah. "I'm taking the Thirds and Inter V for this week, and then Upper IV next week. Miss Charlesworth seems pleasant enough. Who's your mentor?" "Miss Derwent. But," and Blondie stopped to make a face, "the observing mistress for one of my classes is Miss Annersley. Somehow, I don't like the idea of that very much!" |
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Title: Re: ITT and the Chalet School Post by KB on Oct 17th, 2003, 2:14am Enjoying this immensely. I just wish I knew enough about both the English system and teaching in general to add to it! |
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Title: Re: ITT and the Chalet School Post by catherine on Oct 17th, 2003, 10:14am But you should know enough about the doings of naughty middles to add to it! Especially if their teacher is not a good disciplinarian!!!! And I'm equally positive you could make Miss Annersley extremely cutting! |
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Title: Re: ITT and the Chalet School Post by Carolyn P on Oct 17th, 2003, 10:32am I think these students are in for a steep learning curve. Fourths, not difficult, only children, HA Ha Ha! ;D Really looking forward to seeing all this in action. I know how they all feel watching the staff, it's even worse when your children are pupils in the school and you are either trying not to hear about all their classmates problems, or seeing their teachers looking hassled and wondering what mischief yours have been up to, but not liking to ask! |
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Title: Re: ITT and the Chalet School Post by Lisa_T on Oct 17th, 2003, 12:47pm *g* Meet the new Joey Maynard, people! ;D KB, I am *certain* that you could make Miss Annersley EXTREMELY cutting if you wanted to. If you're not sure about the English system, one of us will set the situation up for you and then you can let rip! *chuckling* |
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Title: Re: ITT and the Chalet School Post by KB on Oct 17th, 2003, 9:15pm *sigh* Oh, all right. I'll see what I can come up with. |
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