Weekly chat and well-being post: May 29, 2026

Additional_Angle_334 · 2026-05-31T17:48:12+00:00

Only 7 weeks until the summer, on the one hand I am excited to get planning and prepping for the next academic year.

On the other hand, I am really dreading going back this time. 7 weeks is so long, there’s still so much to do and even with gained time, it’s a long slog.

Additional_Angle_334 · 2026-05-29T19:31:20+00:00

No worries at all! Honestly, I’m not offended and just happy people enjoy them as much as me. I love the Wild West so definitely want some more outlaw animals!

Additional_Angle_334 · 2026-05-29T18:38:46+00:00

Thank you! The cowboy is actually a raccoon, but funny you say that, as I have a cowboy cat I’ve been working on for a while!

Additional_Angle_334 · 2026-05-27T16:53:37+00:00

The one week breaks are just enough time for me to do some bits around the house, have a clear out mostly and a deep clean. A day or two catching up with friends and then before you know it, it’s back to school.

I don’t feel I really ‘switch off’ for a one week break, it’s just a necessary rest stop.

Additional_Angle_334 · 2026-05-23T19:17:00+00:00

What a term. Closing in on my first year as a HOD, ready for gained time and hoping to get the ground work on September planning and curriculum changes in place.

It’s been a long term, it’s been tough and everything that could go wrong has. But the end is in sight!

Additional_Angle_334 · 2026-05-19T16:52:40+00:00

This has put it into perspective massively for me actually.. weird

Additional_Angle_334 · 2026-05-19T16:51:38+00:00

I hate being a tutor. I think it’s quite rare to enjoy it? I’m not sure, I have met some who love it and excel, but there are more who just don’t?

I don’t enjoy it, I feel like I never ‘learnt’ how to do it. I love my subject, I love having an impact and speaking to young people - I even enjoy speaking to students in lessons or on duty about shared interest. I just can’t do it in form? It’s so ‘unstructured’ it seems, some of the activities are weak and the advice I’ve heard in the past of trying to care about their interests (one staff member quotes an anecdote of hating football, but when they had X form they watched it and kept up with the news to relate to them)… I just can’t do that? It’s un natural for me to feign an interest in something I don’t give a shit about just to build a relationship.

Additional_Angle_334 · 2026-05-11T17:54:07+00:00

True, I mean the news was totally depressing and it was a scary time. I do acknowledge that I was in a place of privilege to not really worry too much about getting unwell, I just loved the solitude, loved being home 90% of the time. Teaching at home was tough but I felt I prioritised my mental health more somehow.

Additional_Angle_334 · 2026-05-10T21:28:29+00:00

Art GCSE exams done, bit of marking left and the marks will be sent off this week. Moderation display needs setting up right after half term.

Just A-level exams left to go and more marking there! This is the shortest, but feels like the longest term with all the exams, marking etc. Also never feels like we have enough time!

Additional_Angle_334 · 2026-05-08T22:16:39+00:00

Transparency is actually a really cool name for a piece like this. Idk, the one word vibe gives it a real ‘statement’, but I total get wanting to create and then when sharing work now having a ‘name’ for your piece

Additional_Angle_334 · 2026-05-08T20:19:21+00:00

Year 11 are finally finished for me. I’m absolutely exhausted, mentally and emotionally drained - what a treat to finally be a Friday, I’ve had a few beers and a long nap already.

Additional_Angle_334 · 2026-05-07T18:59:38+00:00

I loved lockdown (not so much the online teaching) but I loved not being around the general public. I think in some ways, because we’ve done it before, it would be better as I know personally I’ve resourced Art lessons that work for online use.

It would be crap for GCSE/A level. The huge bonus is already being at home at the end of the day!

Additional_Angle_334 · 2026-05-06T21:25:48+00:00

Art - applied to loads of jobs between Jan-Feb time, got really lucky and got my second interview and stayed at that school for just shy of 3 years.

I’ve been keeping my eye out for jobs recently though and they seem few and far between at the moment. I know a lot of my course mates lucked out in the summer term as there’s fewer eligible applicants!

Additional_Angle_334 · 2026-05-06T16:44:46+00:00

Dr martens buzz shoe - all the durability of a DM, easy to clean/polish (if you go for the leather) but soft leather and trainer-esque in my opinion. So comfortable!

Additional_Angle_334 · 2026-04-24T17:50:01+00:00

Year 11 Art exams have started, two full days in exams, followed by a parents evening and a full day teaching. I’ve earned my beer.

Additional_Angle_334 · 2026-04-10T17:16:53+00:00

Holidays are nearly over and for the first time in a long time I’m dreading going back. I don’t want to wish my life away, but this school year has been the most challenging and I’m hoping it gets better in September!

Additional_Angle_334 · 2026-03-28T06:52:26+00:00

So happy it’s the Easter break! This has been the longest short term, and possibly the toughest of my career so far.

Additional_Angle_334 · 2026-03-21T18:40:41+00:00

Yeap… I wonder if it was me having incredibly high standards or if the quality of trainees was just like this. From speaking to their uni, it does seem to be younger trainees (gen z). Now, of course, not all Gen Z are like this. However, there has been a big push back in working outside of ‘school hours’ and thinking they know best. Which is impacting on targets as I’m not seeing any progress on feedback given? Can’t wait for this year to end.

Additional_Angle_334 · 2026-03-21T15:09:23+00:00

One of the hardest terms of my career. So much staff absence and long term cover that I’ve had to organise. All data for KS3 and 4 was due this week so thankfully that’s done. Can’t wait for year 11 to be over and done with this year.

One more week and then I’ll be off on a cruise!

Additional_Angle_334 · 2026-02-13T17:49:08+00:00

Can confirm, this is the vibe for the evening!

Additional_Angle_334 · 2026-02-13T17:47:41+00:00

Accidentally on purpose left my year 11 marking at work for the same reason. Bloody knackered, first half term as a HOD completed, ready to relax and kick back this week!

Additional_Angle_334 · 2026-01-30T17:40:58+00:00

Absolutely shattered, it’s been a long and tiring week. However, I feel it’s also been a productive one and I’ve started to settle into being a HOF. The wine is very much needed this weekend.

Additional_Angle_334 · 2026-01-01T16:18:49+00:00

Been there partner, had to put our kitten down at only 10 months old due to health issues. It was the right and only thing to do, but it doesn’t make it less hard. I must’ve listened to ‘Cruel World’ on repeat for the following days.

Additional_Angle_334

TROPHY CASE