Diary of a Surviving Supply Teacher: A Lengthy Period Without Work

D

uring a lengthy period without work, there are only small fragments of supply-related events, which, at any other time, would not make the blog.

Monday 26^th April 2011

I completed the NASUWT member opinion survey, Protecting Pensions, online. Although I indicated that I would be prepared to vote yes in a ballot of members to take industrial action; the survey appears largely irrelevant to supply teachers, as we have had our pension and a large proportion of our pay taken from us by agencies over the last nine-ten years or so. In addition, we are burdened with the expenses of CRB checks and annual GTC membership. Although they are more than willing to take my annual subscription, the union only appears to act when teachers on contracts are affected and mainly for their benefit.

Tuesday 27^th April 2011

Following the Easter holiday, I sent letters to local schools offering my services as a supply teacher, as well as detailing my experience, availability and qualifications. This included the statement, 'I have references as well as a recent CRB certificate.' However, this was the reply from one school:

“Thank you for your letter. We have to use agency supply teachers which means we can guarantee all checks etc have been completed.”

After eight years of supply teaching, I am used to strange replies from schools, but this is the most curious to date. I am not sure what they mean as (i) I would be required to provide a CRB to an agency in the same way that I would to a school and (ii) no CRB can offer a cast-iron guarantee in any case. I have tried a Google search to find details of the CRB guarantee, but without much success to date.

Among letters from the small proportion of schools which, at least, had the courtesy to reply:

“Thank you for this. We do have your name on our supply list already. However, with the way we have our staffing arranged, we rarely need to employ external supply teachers. Good luck.”

“We book our supply through an agency.”

“Thank you for your interest in our school. We use a supply agency for all our teacher supply needs [name and website address provided]. Best wishes”

“I will keep your details and be in touch if I need a supply.”

“At our school, we cover absences either internally or occasionally by using a supply agency. Therefore, we do not have a need for any additional supply cover.”

“For your information we mostly use [agency named] for our supply cover if not using our HLTA’s to cover.”

“I am writing on behalf of the head teacher, to thank you for your email of 27th April. We are very well covered for supply as we are the lead school for the SCITT programme and therefore have trainee teaches in school much of the time. However we will keep your information on record for the future.”

These imply a number of issues, such as: covering absences internally; individual teachers not being required as agencies will provide supply; classroom assistants and trainee teachers covering classes; and, “Don’t call us, we’ll call you!” 

Friday 6th May 2011

Without full conviction, but to make my presence felt, I telephoned my agency to ask about the job situation, to be told the Easter and bank holidays had an effect. The schools’ Easter holiday was from Saturday 9th to Sunday the 23rd April plus Easter Monday bank holiday on the 25th April. These were swiftly followed by a day’s holiday for the royal wedding on Friday 29th April and the May day bank holiday on Monday 2nd May. To make matters worse, some schools were being used as polling stations for the parish elections and AV referendum on Thursday 5th May. Admitting, I had forgotten the closure for polling day, I said I thought she would say this. Disgruntled, she murmured that, “It has been a nightmare.” Her concluding statement was, “As soon as there is something, I will phone you.”      

Originally posted on Monday, 09 May 2011

Joybringer by Manfred Mann's Earth Band

(Gustav Holst, Manfred Mann, Mick Rogers, Chris Slade)

I bring joy, and I can take you through,
All those days when people seem to get to you.
I bring joy, and I come here to you.

I bring life, and I can take you where
You can see, and feel, and breathe, and touch the air.
I bring life and I can take you there.

Feelings inside that we keep
Out of sight and out of reach
Bring us to the things we seek

Take your time, remember when you do
There are days when people feel the same as you.
I bring time, and I can take you through

I bring joy...


Originally posted on Friday 6th May 2011

Diary of a Surviving Supply Teacher: Have you been unfairly blacklisted by an agency?

You can answer my survey anonymously here:

http://snappoll.com/poll/368270.php


Originally posted on Wednesday 4th May 2011

List of Progressive Rock Albums Released in 1971

o        666 album by Aphrodite’s Child is released. 

o        In Hearing Of by Atomic Rooster is released on B&C.

o        Once Again, the second album by Barclay James Harvest, is released on Harvest.

o        Short Stories, the third album by Barclay James Harvest, is released on Harvest.

o        Second Album, the second album by Curved Air, is released on Warner Bros. It contains Back Street Luv.

o        The Electric Light Orchestra, the first album by the Electric Light Orchestra, is released on Harvest.

o        Tarkus by Emerson, Lake and Palmer.

o        Nursery Cryme the third album by Genesis is released on Charisma.

o        Gentle Giant, the first album by Gentle Giant, is released on Vertigo.

o        In Search of Space the second album by Hawkwind is released on United Artists.

o        Aqualung, the fourth album by Jethro Tull, with Martin Barre on guitar, is released on Island.

o        Do You Like it Here Now, Are You Settling In? the fourth album by Man, is released on United Artists.

o        Every Good Boy Deserves a Favour, the seventh album by the Moody Blues, is released on Threshold.

o        Journey to the Centre of the Eye, the first album by Nektar, is released on Bacillus/ Bellaphon in Germany.

o        Elegy, the fifth album by the Nice, is released on Charisma.

o        Meddle by Pink Floyd is released.

o        Relics album by Pink Floyd is released.

o        Dive Deep, the third album by Quintessence, is released on Island.

o        Indelibly Stamped the second album by Supertramp is released on A&M.

o        Salisbury the second album by Uriah Heep is released on Vertigo.

o        Look at Yourself the third album by Uriah Heep is released on Bronze.

o        The Yes Album, the third album by Yes, is released on Atlantic.

o        Fragile, the fourth album by, Yes is released on Atlantic.

My Top Ten Progressive Rock Albums of 1971

1.      Do You Like it Here Now, Are You Settling In? the fourth album by Man, released on United Artists.

2.      Tarkus by Emerson, Lake and Palmer.

3.      In Hearing Of by Atomic Rooster released on B&C.

4.      Fragile, the fourth album by, Yes released on Atlantic.

5.      Nursery Cryme the third album by Genesis released on Charisma.

6.      Meddle by Pink Floyd is released on Harvest.

7.      666 album by Aphrodite’s Child. 

8.      In Search of Space the second album by Hawkwind released on United Artists.

9.      Dive Deep, the third album by Quintessence, released on Island.

10.  The Yes Album, the third album by Yes, released on Atlantic.

Originally posted on Wednesday, 04 May 2011

List of World Snooker Champions

The Joe Davis Era

1927 Joe Davis bt Tom Dennis 20–11 at Camkins Hall, Birmingham

1928 Joe Davis bt Fred Lawrence 16–13 at Camkins Hall, Birmingham

1929 Joe Davis bt Tom Dennis 19–14 at Camkins Hall, Nottingham

1930 Joe Davis bt Tom Dennis 25–12 at Thurston’s Hall, London

1931 Joe Davis bt Tom Dennis 25–21 at Lounge Billiard Hall, Nottingham

1932 Joe Davis bt Clark McConachy Aus 30–19 at Thurston’s Hall, London

1933 Joe Davis bt Willie Smith 25–18 at Billiards Centre, Chesterfield

1934 Joe Davis bt Tom Newman 25–23 at Lounge Billiard Hall, Nottingham

1935 Joe Davis bt Willie Smith 25–20 at Thurston’s Hall, London

1936 Joe Davis bt Horace Lindrum Aus 34–27 at Thurston’s Hall, London

1937 Joe Davis Horace Lindrum Aus 32–29 at Thurston’s Hall, London

1938 Joe Davis Sidney Smith 37–24 at Thurston’s Hall, London

1939 Joe Davis bt Sidney Smith 43–30 at Thurston’s Hall, London

1940 Joe Davis bt Fred Davis 37–36 at Thurston’s Hall, London

1941 – 1945 Not held due to World War II

1946 Joe Davis bt Horace Lindrum Aus 78–67 at Horticultural Hall, London

1947 Walter Donaldson Sco bt Fred Davis 82–63 at Leicester Square Hall, London

The Fred Davis Era

1948 Fred Davis bt Walter Donaldson Sco 84–61 at Leicester Square Hall, London

1949 Fred Davis bt Walter Donaldson Sco 80–65 at   Leicester Square Hall, London

1950 Walter Donaldson Sco bt Fred Davis 51–46 at Tower Circus, Blackpool

1951 Fred Davis bt Walter Donaldson Sco 58–39 at Tower Circus, Blackpool

1952 Horace Lindrum Aus bt Clark McConachy Aus 94–49    at Houldsworth Hall, Manchester

1952 Fred Davis bt Walter Donaldson Sco 38–35 at Tower Circus, Blackpool

1953 Fred Davis bt Walter Donaldson Sco 37–34 at   Leicester Square Hall, London

1954 Fred Davis bt Walter Donaldson Sco 39–21 at   Houldsworth Hall, Manchester

1955 Fred Davis bt John Pulman 37–34 at Tower Circus, Blackpool

1956 Fred Davis bt John Pulman 38–35 at Tower Circus, Blackpool

The John Pulman Era

1957 John Pulman bt Jackie Rea 39–34 in Jersey

1958 – 1963 Not held due to declining interest

1964 John Pulman bt Fred Davis 19–16 at Burroughes Hall, London

1964 John Pulman bt Rex Williams 40–33 at Burroughes Hall, London

1965 John Pulman bt Fred Davis 37–36 at Burroughes Hall, London

1965 John Pulman bt Rex Williams 25–22 in South Africa

1965 John Pulman bt Fred Van Rensburg SA 39–12 in South Africa

1966 John Pulman bt Fred Davis 5–2 at St George's Hall, Liverpool

1968 John Pulman bt Eddie Charlton Aus 39–34 at Co-operative Hall, Bolton

1969 John Spencer bt Gary Owen Wal 37–24 at Victoria Hall, London

The Ray Reardon Era

1970 Ray Reardon Wal bt John Pulman 37–33 at Victoria Hall, London

1971 John Spencer bt Warren Simpson Aus 37–29 in Sydney, Australia

1972 Alex Higgins bt John Spencer 37–32 at Selly Park British Legion, Birmingham

1973 Ray Reardon Wal bt Eddie Charlton Aus 38–32 at City Exhibition Hall, Manchester

1974 Ray Reardon Wal bt Graham Miles 22–12 at Belle Vue, Manchester

1975 Ray Reardon Wal bt Eddie Charlton Aus 31–30 in Melbourne, Australia

1976 Ray Reardon Wal bt Alex Higgins 27–16 at Wythenshawe Forum, Manchester

1977 John Spencer bt Cliff Thorburn Can 25–21 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

1978 Ray Reardon Wal bt Perrie Mans SA 25–18 at  Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

1979 Terry Griffiths Wal bt Dennis Taylor 24–16 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

The Steve Davis Era

1980 Cliff Thorburn Can bt Alex Higgins 18–16 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

1981 Steve Davis bt Doug Mountjoy Wal 18–12 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

1982 Alex Higgins bt Ray Reardon Wal 18–15 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

1983 Steve Davis bt Cliff Thorburn 18–6 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

1984 Steve Davis bt Jimmy White 18–16 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

1985 Dennis Taylor bt Steve Davis 18–17 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

1986 Joe Johnson bt Steve Davis 18–12 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

1987 Steve Davis bt Joe Johnson 18–14 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

1988 Steve Davis bt Terry Griffiths 18–11 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

1989 Steve Davis bt John Parrott 18–3 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

The Steven Hendry Era

1990 Stephen Hendry Sco bt Jimmy White 18–12 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

1991 John Parrott bt Jimmy White 18–11 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

1992 Stephen Hendry Sco bt Jimmy White 18–14 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

1993 Stephen Hendry Sco bt Jimmy White 18–5 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

1994 Stephen Hendry Sco bt Jimmy White 18–17 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

1995 Stephen Hendry Sco bt Nigel Bond 18–9 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

1996 Stephen Hendry Sco bt Peter Ebdon 18–12 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

1997 Ken Doherty Ire bt Stephen Hendry Sco 18–12 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

1998 John Higgins Sco bt Ken Doherty Ire 18–12 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

1999 Stephen Hendry Sco bt Mark Williams Wal 18–11 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

2000 Mark Williams Wal bt Matthew Stevens Wal 18–16 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

2001 Ronnie O'Sullivan bt John Higgins Sco 18–14 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

2002 Peter Ebdon bt Stephen Hendry Sco 18–17 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

2003 Mark Williams Wal bt Ken Doherty Ire 18–16 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

2004 Ronnie O'Sullivan bt Graeme Dott Sco 18–8 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

2005 Shaun Murphy bt Matthew Stevens Wal 18–16 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

2006 Graeme Dott Sco bt Peter Ebdon 18–14 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

2007 John Higgins Sco bt Mark Selby 18–13 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

2008 Ronnie O'Sullivan bt Ali Carter 18–8 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

2009 John Higgins Sco bt Shaun Murphy 18–9 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

2010 Neil Robertson Aus bt Graeme Dott Sco 18–13 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

2011 John Higgins Sco bt Judd Trump 18-15 at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

FACTS

·         Joe Davis was the first World Champion and holds the record for most world titles with 15 consecutively.

·         Stephen Hendry won 7 world titles in the 1990s and holds the record for the most titles won at the Crucible Theatre.

·         Steve Davis dominated the 1980s and won the world title six times.

·         Ronnie O’Sullivan is the only multiple time World Champion in the modern era who has never lost a World Championship final.

·         Alex Higgins won the World Championship in 1972 and 1982.

·         Dennis Taylor won the world title in 1985 on the last black of the deciding frame.

·         In 1989, John Parrott lost 18-3 to Steve Davis, the heaviest final defeat in modern times. Parrott returned to the final two years later and won against Jimmy White.

·         Stephen Hendry became the youngest World Champion at the final on 29^th April 1990, aged 21 years, 106 days.

·         In 1992, Jimmy White became the first left-handed player, and second overall, to record a maximum break at the World Championship.

·         Mark Williams is the first left-handed player to win the World Championship (2000).

·         Shaun Murphy is the lowest ranked World Champion ever (2005).

·         Joe Johnston (1986/1987) and Ken Doherty (1997/1998) are the only first time world champions to reach the final the following year.

Originally posted on Monday, 02 May 2011

Left-handed Snooker Players

Left-handed Snooker Players

Who Have Played in the World Championships at the Crucible

• Barry Hawkins (b. 1979)
• Andy Hicks (b. 1973)
• Mark King (b. 1974)
• Perrie Mans (b. 1940 in SA)
• Ian McCulloch (b. 1971)
• Tony Meo (b. 1959)
• Darren Morgan (b. 1966 in Wales)
• Terry Murphy (b. 1972 in NI)
• Dean Reynolds (b. 1963)
• Neil Robertson  (b. 1982 in Australia) Winner 2010
• Lee Walker (b. 1976 in Wales)
• Jimmy White (b. 1962) In 1992, became the first left-handed player, and second overall, to record a maximum break at the World Championship.
• Mark J Williams (b. 1975 in Wales) The first left-handed player to win the World Championship in 2000 and 2003
• Jim Wych (b. 1954 in Canada)

Originally posted on Monday, 02 May 2011

Order You Pot Coloured Balls in Snooker

To remember which order you pot the coloured balls in snooker, just recite this little phrase to yourself:

YOU GO BROWN BEFORE POTTING BLACK

This will give you the order of:

Yellow, Green, Brown, Blue, Pink, Black

Source: How to Develop a Perfect Memory by Dominic O'Brien

From: http://www.happychild.org.uk/acc/tpr/mne/0002snoo.htm

Originally posted on Monday, 02 May 2011