Teacher's diary: 'Zoom open days and Christmas cards'

A quiet start to the week. Not just because the nursery remains closed.

Just over half way through Lockdown 2 and the number of children and staff in the school who are isolating is low.

Let us hope that remains the case this week.

Tuesday November 24

Tomorrow night we are holding a remote parents meeting. A big event.

It is for parents of children who will be starting school in September 2021.

They must submit online applications to the local authority by January 15.

They can name four schools in order of preference.

It is a big decision for parents, some visit as many as eight schools.

In normal times we invite parents into school for an evening meeting.

They listen to a presentation from me and a presentation from the head of the Foundation Stage.

We show a film of a day in the life of the Reception children and our oldest pupils present a talk.

Afterwards these pupils are tour guides as parents are free to wander around the school and talk to staff and governors.

The title of the Year 6 talk is, “What does seven years at North look like?”

This was introduced a number of years ago.

That Year 6 cohort created a side show outlining all the things about North which they thought made it a special school.

Of course, through their talk and the way they act as tour guides, the parents get to see the living proof of how North pupils turn out.

It it gives a wonderful impression.

Each year the next Year 6 has tweaked and updated that talk.

Our current Year 6 has done the same but recorded their voices as the event is being held via Zoom.

As the meeting will be Zoomed out live we are keen to get the technology right.

A technical run through is held after school.

Documents are visible, films load, chat room works, sound is perfect.

We are ready. What could possibly go wrong?

Wednesday November 25

Two Governors’ committees held Zoom meetings this morning.

There is anger that the mess in our front pathway, caused by our neighbour’s drain issues, took so long for them to rectify.

I am instructed to find out whether the council issued a warning to the neighbours and then write a letter of complaint to the management company.

It has been extremely fortunate that the walkway has not been needed by the nursery during this period but that is not the point.

7pm. Parents Meeting. We are all set.

It is very strange talking to an audience that you cannot see and who you have not even met.

When you teach, or address a meeting, you can see and sense the audience reaction, and adjust the presentation accordingly.

Reading the comments in the chatroom is as close as we can get to that instant response.

Of course, you don’t get any feedback if your microphone is on mute!

Two slides in, a parent unmutes to say,

‘Mr. Garnett, we can’t hear you!’ Mortifying.

It would seem that our technical run-through did not provide the insurance we were hoping for and the meeting subsequently suffered from a number of embarrassing glitches.

The parents were very understanding and, judging by their comments, got the information that they needed to help inform their decisions.

“Great presentation. we already have one child at North in year 3 and he loves it. He still talks about his time in Mrs Arnolds/Wards class - it was a great intro to school life for him. thanks again.”

Another wrote.

Having been informed that the Reception teachers have a combined 34 years of service to the school, “It is very clear that there is a passion for the school and children from Mr Garnett and the teachers :)”

All aspects of the presentation need to be recorded and popped onto the website.

Thursday November 26

The nursery reopened today after the children and staff completed their 14 days of confinement.

It was lovely to see and hear the children busy playing – “there is nothing as serious as a child at play”.

That quote dates back to Ancient Greece. So true.

The government announce that when lockdown ends next week Essex will be placed in Tier 2.

Most of England will be in higher tiers than before lockdown.

Was that the point of the sacrifices of the past month?

Parliament must approve these plans first.

Receive an email from a parent – will the children be allowed to give out Christmas cards?

A good question.

Schools are limiting what children bring in to school and what they take home.

Most only give cards to children in their own class, who are in their own bubble of course, so that should be straightforward, but what about across bubbles?

It is funny how seemingly minor issues like this can be banana skins.

You can get all the big, tough and often unpopular decisions right and slip up over something which seems trivial.

Local Authority give an update on the lateral flow tests.

Essex should have received delivery of 290,000 by now. Not one has arrived.

Attend an NAHT school leader’s conference in the afternoon.

All indicators suggest the government will make an announcement next week about Ofsted returning to full inspections in January and any changes to the exam and testing systems in England next summer.

Let us hope those decisions show that ministers and the PM have listened to the broad coalition of voices – professional associations, unions, governors associations, and local authorities, including Essex - which have expressed their well-informed opinions on these subjects.

Friday November 27

The week finishes with the frustrating news that the kitchen work due to be completed during the Christmas holidays will not be completed until mid January.

Saturday November 28

Email parents to explain the Christmas card rules. We will not have the central school postbox.

Children will be able to give out cards in their own classes.

Cards for those beyond their classrooms will be stored and given out a few days later.

I also share a poster which was kindly given to me by a parent with alternative suggestions to mass Christmas Card exchanges.

Parents and children can also do what many staff do – instead of swapping cards we make a donation to East Anglian Children’s Hospice, a charity we support every Christmas.

Receive an email from a member of staff who will not be able to come to school for a fortnight because their child, who attends a local school, has had their bubble sent home to isolate.

This is going to leave a hole in our provision that will not be easy to cover.