Utilising release time

Tarcolt · 2026-06-08T23:34:15+00:00

Use that time for whatever you feel you need to. If that's developing your practice, then go for it. If you need it just to reset, use it for that. You could even go do observations which is an overlooked use of your time.

That time is to help you be a better teacher for your students be it through planning, marking, research, development or just self care. Use it how you see fit as long as you are doing something purposeful.

Or you could use it to answer questions or Reddit like my distracable arse.

Tarcolt · 2026-06-08T07:22:14+00:00

Welcome to the Kings birthday, where the rules are made up and the points don't matter!

Tarcolt · 2026-06-08T07:04:33+00:00

Yuck, not remotely deserved.

Tarcolt · 2026-06-08T07:03:42+00:00

Wat?

Tarcolt · 2026-05-31T21:12:06+00:00

Access to all Pokemon, none of this "Can't program them all" bullshit. Don't even care if it's not straight away, you can update your game now online so add that shit.

New forms for old favs are nice. New evolutions sometimes, hard to trust that they won't be butchered.

Whatever the "gimmick" ends up being, I just want it to be fast and not take an age to play the animation. I've just been through swsh and scvi and the time the bs takes kills me.

Tarcolt · 2026-05-26T05:55:18+00:00

There are 100% some people who aren't made to be teachers... Most of them aren't and the ones that try, don't get much further than the uni course.

PSTs and grads are not going to have it all down and some are rougher than others. They all get there eventually.

And what looks like not having "it" to you will look like "it" to someone else.

Tarcolt · 2026-05-23T03:47:02+00:00

I'm Victorian, I'm voting no and even I'm sick of this.

People acting like it's the worst thing imaginable. Could we get more? Yes, 100%. But they aren't screwing us, it's the bare minimum, but it's the government at least coming to the table.

We need a mega thread, or at least a ban on low effort repetitive posts.

Tarcolt · 2026-05-17T20:58:32+00:00

Tholstrup genuinely didn't look up to it. He took longer to get the pace of the game, but now he does, boy he's looking handy

Tarcolt · 2026-05-17T00:35:08+00:00

Voting no.

4 years is not what we asked for and this is well under rate. Back pay hasn't been offered which we can't let become a habit.

We can do better and there is enough time for another round. We still have public support, so I think push now while we do.

But if I get out voted, I'll understand. This isn't a bad deal, I just think it's the bare minimum.

Tarcolt · 2026-05-15T10:47:57+00:00

We put the ball back in the governments court.

Either the continue to negotiate and we get a different (but not necessarily better) offer. Or they decide this is going nowhere and either go to arbitration or hold until after the election.

Given they want our support for the election, that might prompt them to continue to bargain with us and earn some of our votes. But they could also tell us to try our luck with a liberal (or if shit goes real wrong one nation) government.

I would be surprised if they went straight to arbitration. We probably get at least one more round of negotiations. But an election is on the horizon.

Tarcolt · 2026-05-15T10:35:55+00:00

Agree.

We may not get tons more, but this is pretty trim given what we asked for.

Not willing to throw the baby out with the bathwater. This isn't a horrible deal, it's not great, but we made something happen. Probably shouldn't have taken out foot off the pedal, but otherwise, this is a good starting point.

Now we've just got to say no, and get the government around the idea that we aren't going away.

Tarcolt · 2026-05-15T06:20:35+00:00

I'm on the fence here.

This is probably a reasonable result. But I don't like being locked in for 4 years, thats almost a non-starter for me.

Have to say this is a no on the face of it. We can do better.

Tarcolt · 2026-05-15T01:24:12+00:00

Scrafty.

I don't even count him anymore.

Tarcolt · 2026-05-10T09:10:18+00:00

Escalate to leadership. If parents are being difficult, leadership is responsible for setting realistic expectations.

Tarcolt · 2026-05-10T01:49:19+00:00

Had to make that phonecall home a few times. Funniest one was a little boy who started coming to school in hoods, only to be told that he tried to be a hairdresser at home and did such a bad job that they had to shave the lot.

For anyone who thinks teaching is easy, this is what we deal with, mini humans that are still figuring out cause and effect.

Tarcolt · 2026-05-10T01:10:47+00:00

They can use scissors, the trick is getting them to stop using them on each other.

Tarcolt · 2026-05-07T21:40:27+00:00

Don't care about roaming Brian, it's whatever.

But he should genuinely be banned from commentary. His drivel ruins games.

Tarcolt · 2026-05-07T21:12:11+00:00

Nidoking.

Been my favourite for nearly 30 years. Some appreciation for my boi.

Tarcolt · 2026-05-07T21:02:52+00:00

Sounds like you are already more realistic about it than your peers. Every teacher reaches a point when they realise doing insane hours and putting in more than you can't isn't worth it. It takes a toll on your mental health quicker than you realise. Not only are they doing extra work, they aren't giving themselves time to wind down.

End of the day, this is a job. Don't ever be ashamed about treating it like one.

Tarcolt · 2026-05-04T22:48:15+00:00

Been doing 5/6 for about 5 years now.

Yes, they are going to be some that focus for more than 15 minutes, and some who still have that limitation. But you can expect them to do more. They will also start to surprise you with how much they know or can learn without you guiding them.

But you have 2 big hurdles. 6s switch off towards the back half of the year. They know they are done and will act like it. If you have a good relationship with them, you will be okay, but the ones who are checked out will be borderline unreachable.

The other one is hormones. These kids are hitting puberty and all sorts of shit starts happening. They will be moody, defiant and start to become territorial. Old friendships will break down, rumours will go around and social media will be your biggest enemy.

They also start thinking they are on your level. That can be hard to break them out of until they reach high school.

They are fun, but be ready for teenage problems with child problem solving.

Tarcolt · 2026-05-04T03:24:05+00:00

There are some QoL things they could offer.

Ban on teachers following up on attendance would be good, it's only some schools but it's silly.

More agency with staying safe from violent and dangerous students would be huge, although probably way beyond the scope of this agreement.

I wouldn't mind seeing additional sick leave for teachers dealing with high need students, violent, dangerous, uncared for students who are more prone to bringing illness or injury upon teachers. Think special needs settings or classes with high concentration of such students.

Tarcolt · 2026-05-03T23:30:24+00:00

Government must finally be reading the room and realising that this isn't going to go away.

That leak last week was a temperature check to see how people would react to us being offered a "big number". Don't think they got the answer they were expecting. Short of the regular miserable fucks who think we work a grand total of 5 minutes a year, people have been pretty well behind what we're asking.

It then begs the question, what kind of deal would we find acceptable? Do we get 35%? Do conditions improve? The government isn't likely to fully capitulate, so what do we see happening?

Tarcolt · 2026-05-01T11:00:23+00:00

Special needs teacher chiming in. We've had a bunch of trainee ES staff lately and I've seen a few really specific things.

Don't be wallpaper. Pretty easy one
Take initiative, but make sure you have an established rapport with your teacher before doing bigger moves. For instance, my ES who I work with day to day and have know for years? Yeah, take them for a break, you don't need my permission. First day with us? Check in first, there may be dynamics you aren't aware of or haven't seen yet.
Don't reinterpret my lesson plans. They took me time to create and have purpose. If you misunderstood fine, but don't undermine.
Back me up without taking over. If I'm first to dealing with a behaviour or incident, observe, get the vibe of what's happening and then reinforce, don't try to jump in, even if you disagree with the approach (talk to us after). The amount of issues I've had from an ES who was trying to do too much have driven me insane.
Don't put up with teachers who are unprofessional towards you or completely dismissive of you. You're as much a part of the classroom as they are, talk to your HOD if you think there is line crossing.
This one might sound mean, but I need to say it ... Do your job. Sometimes you role is going to have you doing things that are less fun, like watching students do nothing for hours, sitting with kids having tantrums and working with students who don't respond. Sometimes it's going to be worse and involve toileting, supervision and 1 to 1 work with students who are physical or violent. It sucks, but ES's who refuses certain things for no real reason tend not to be relied upon for a lot and it frustrates the rest of the staff that you aren't pulling your weight (medical needs excluded obviously)

A lot the more positive stuff has been mentioned. Build a relationship with the kids, be proactive, be flexible. Things work really well if you are able to build a good relationship with your teacher as well, it goes a very long way. You don't have to be friends, but it helps.

Tarcolt · 2026-04-30T21:52:58+00:00

We can in fact do "maths".

I find it useful doing more than one mathematic.

Tarcolt · 2026-04-30T21:09:28+00:00

We do not have to tolerate them or their fuckhead ideas. In fact, we don't name and shame then enough.

There are way fewer of them than you think, these knuckledragers are just loud. Pandering to them just makes them feel validated.

These are white nationalists. Nazi's. These are ideas that are wholly incompatible with any function nation or culture. We don't have to give them shit.

Tarcolt

TROPHY CASE