My Classroom now has Heating!!!

Note the date. At 10.30am, a heating engineer arrived. Within minutes the classroom had heating...at last.
This morning the temperature on my way to school was 2C. When I went into my room at just after 7.30am, the room was bitterly cold. I had to keep my coat on while I worked.

Also, the projector for the smartboard was installed. I have an infant size board, but at last the projector. Except, when the sun shines we will see nothing as there is no money for window blinds.
And there is no smartboard software yet loaded, nor is ther sound from the computer.
But things are looking up. Mind you, there are still some downsides....like borrowing staples from the children because I had used up the 2 rows I had been allocated by the school.

The Authority also pulled the interviews for the post of Head teacher. This is the third time they have done so because not enough people apply......

I wonder why there are few teachers now going for promoted posts? Once upon a time scores applied for such jobs. What is this telling us? Why when early retirement is offered is there a deluge of applicants?
Why are so many retired teachers out on supply work when the Authority had decided - rightly- that this was not a proper way to go. Where are the all the unemplyed teachers? I will be leaving this post at the end of next week as I am going to America. Who is going to fill the post? I have been asked about coming back on my return from the USA.

But I have now worked almost a whole year, and I am on basic rate tax, so am paying 4 figure a month in tax though I am earning-with my pension - what I would be earning as a teacher, but with much less tax.
And teaching is not an occupation for those over 60. It is too demanding. The vast majority of teachers are conscientous folk who give their all and work many hours more than have been contracted for.

And if my present post is anything to judge by, things are not going to get easier. I am not the only teacher subsidising the Authority by buying out of my own pocket basic classroom materials like books, paint brushes, and paper. But this is wrong. It should not be down to the affluence of individual teachers, or just so they can manage to ease their own classroom position with regard to the curriculum.

Some photos from Gettysburg Battlefield, which I will be revisiting at the end of this month.