Appologies to Paul C.
Who seems to fail to understand my point, and has a failed attempt at
getting personal with his replies.
Perhaps he does have a genuine problem with a dusting of snow.
He may even be a school teacher.
"GKN" wrote in message
.uk...
Sorry to make an issue on this point, but listening to Essex FM this
morning only goes to show what a nation of gutless whimps we are training
our youngsters to become.
Thirty minutes after the snow started to fall we are faced on our local
radio with endless lists of school closures due to the weather, numerous
road traffic accidents and road closures.

I fully understand that with the claim culture that we now live in, head
teachers are afraid of their own shadows when it comes to a child slipping
over and having an accident on school premises.

But I also believe there is another force coming into play here. So, OK it
snows, its also a Friday, and what better than a nice long weekend for the
teaching staff. How convenient.

Yes also conveniently, it is a strange co-incidence that teachers training
days are always tagged onto weekends or school holidays, Are twelve weeks
holiday not enough?

I was at school during the winter of 1962-63 and if ever there was a case
for school closures that was the one, but no, schools stayed open and
youngsters trudged through freezing snow and ice for two months without
even a thought of schools closing.

One point that made me laugh was that some schools were closed due to
frozen pipes, at 2 Deg C.???
I would suggest that they look at the quality of their pipe lagging.

Also on the 10am news bulletin there was an article concerning the
"severe" cold snap we were suffering and the new danger that had suddenly
arisen at our very own doorsteps. The danger of slipping over on the
pavement outside in the snow.

well I for one am glad that they told me about this, because at the age of
51, I had never encountered this before and I am eternally grateful for
their concern.

Now lets get things into perspective on the subject of school closures.
All it takes is for the head teacher to issue a memorandum to all parents
and guardians stating that the school will take all reasonable care to
make sure that pathways in and around the school premises will be kept as
clear as is practical, and that no responsibility will be taken by the
school in the event of any injury caused by such. Job done.

Lets hear no more about it next winter.

Regards. Len

Appologies to Paul C.
Who seems to fail to understand my point, and has a failed attempt at
getting personal with his replies.
Perhaps he does have a genuine problem with a dusting of snow.
He may even be a school teacher.
"GKN" wrote in message
.uk...
Sorry to make an issue on this point, but listening to Essex FM this
morning only goes to show what a nation of gutless whimps we are training
our youngsters to become.
Thirty minutes after the snow started to fall we are faced on our local
radio with endless lists of school closures due to the weather, numerous
road traffic accidents and road closures.

I fully understand that with the claim culture that we now live in, head
teachers are afraid of their own shadows when it comes to a child slipping
over and having an accident on school premises.

But I also believe there is another force coming into play here. So, OK it
snows, its also a Friday, and what better than a nice long weekend for the
teaching staff. How convenient.

Yes also conveniently, it is a strange co-incidence that teachers training
days are always tagged onto weekends or school holidays, Are twelve weeks
holiday not enough?

I was at school during the winter of 1962-63 and if ever there was a case
for school closures that was the one, but no, schools stayed open and
youngsters trudged through freezing snow and ice for two months without
even a thought of schools closing.

One point that made me laugh was that some schools were closed due to
frozen pipes, at 2 Deg C.???
I would suggest that they look at the quality of their pipe lagging.

Also on the 10am news bulletin there was an article concerning the
"severe" cold snap we were suffering and the new danger that had suddenly
arisen at our very own doorsteps. The danger of slipping over on the
pavement outside in the snow.

well I for one am glad that they told me about this, because at the age of
51, I had never encountered this before and I am eternally grateful for
their concern.

Now lets get things into perspective on the subject of school closures.
All it takes is for the head teacher to issue a memorandum to all parents
and guardians stating that the school will take all reasonable care to
make sure that pathways in and around the school premises will be kept as
clear as is practical, and that no responsibility will be taken by the
school in the event of any injury caused by such. Job done.

Lets hear no more about it next winter.

Regards. Len

Appologies to Paul C.
Who seems to fail to understand my point, and has a failed attempt at
getting personal with his replies.
Perhaps he does have a genuine problem with a dusting of snow.
He may even be a school teacher.
"GKN" wrote in message
.uk...
Sorry to make an issue on this point, but listening to Essex FM this
morning only goes to show what a nation of gutless whimps we are training
our youngsters to become.
Thirty minutes after the snow started to fall we are faced on our local
radio with endless lists of school closures due to the weather, numerous
road traffic accidents and road closures.

I fully understand that with the claim culture that we now live in, head
teachers are afraid of their own shadows when it comes to a child slipping
over and having an accident on school premises.

But I also believe there is another force coming into play here. So, OK it
snows, its also a Friday, and what better than a nice long weekend for the
teaching staff. How convenient.

Yes also conveniently, it is a strange co-incidence that teachers training
days are always tagged onto weekends or school holidays, Are twelve weeks
holiday not enough?

I was at school during the winter of 1962-63 and if ever there was a case
for school closures that was the one, but no, schools stayed open and
youngsters trudged through freezing snow and ice for two months without
even a thought of schools closing.

One point that made me laugh was that some schools were closed due to
frozen pipes, at 2 Deg C.???
I would suggest that they look at the quality of their pipe lagging.

Also on the 10am news bulletin there was an article concerning the
"severe" cold snap we were suffering and the new danger that had suddenly
arisen at our very own doorsteps. The danger of slipping over on the
pavement outside in the snow.

well I for one am glad that they told me about this, because at the age of
51, I had never encountered this before and I am eternally grateful for
their concern.

Now lets get things into perspective on the subject of school closures.
All it takes is for the head teacher to issue a memorandum to all parents
and guardians stating that the school will take all reasonable care to
make sure that pathways in and around the school premises will be kept as
clear as is practical, and that no responsibility will be taken by the
school in the event of any injury caused by such. Job done.

Lets hear no more about it next winter.

Regards. Len

On Fri, 04 Mar 2005 21:24:17 GMT, "GKN" wrote:

Appologies to Paul C.
Who seems to fail to understand my point, and has a failed attempt at
getting personal with his replies.
Perhaps he does have a genuine problem with a dusting of snow.
He may even be a school teacher.


He is indeed.

Like many other people you appear to think that because you were once
at school you understand how schools operate.

You clearly do not.

When you suggest that some schools closed on a Friday because teachers
fancied a long weekend you show your ignorance.

Who do you think makes the decision to close a school? Do you somehow
think teachers hold a meeting and take a vote not to open so they can
all bunk off for the weekend?

The Headteacher makes this decision. In my experience the Headteacher
makes this decision after consulting officers of the local authority's
education department. Within my authority when schools close to pupils
because of the weather, teachers remain within the school whilst
teachers who are unable to get to their schools because of the weather
must report to their nearest school.

When you insult teachers with your accusation that they extend their
holidays by tagging on in-service days at the beginning or end of
holidays you again show either your ignorance or your venom towards
the teaching profession.

Who do you think decides in-service dates? Teachers? Well they don't.
Headteachers? They don't either. In-service dates are set by the local
education authority.

You imply that when pupils are not in school, teachers are on holiday.
In fact you don't just imply this, you ask "are twelve weeks holiday
not enough?" Well, it might come as a surprise to you to know that
there is actually work for teachers to do when pupils are not in
school. Do you think new courses write themselves? Do you think
teachers acquire new knowledge and skills by osmosis?

In future, perhaps you should think before making such unfounded,
ignorant and downright insulting accusations.

Unfortunately, I do not hold out much hope.


--
Paul

On Fri, 04 Mar 2005 21:24:17 GMT, "GKN" wrote:

Appologies to Paul C.
Who seems to fail to understand my point, and has a failed attempt at
getting personal with his replies.
Perhaps he does have a genuine problem with a dusting of snow.
He may even be a school teacher.


He is indeed.

Like many other people you appear to think that because you were once
at school you understand how schools operate.

You clearly do not.

When you suggest that some schools closed on a Friday because teachers
fancied a long weekend you show your ignorance.

Who do you think makes the decision to close a school? Do you somehow
think teachers hold a meeting and take a vote not to open so they can
all bunk off for the weekend?

The Headteacher makes this decision. In my experience the Headteacher
makes this decision after consulting officers of the local authority's
education department. Within my authority when schools close to pupils
because of the weather, teachers remain within the school whilst
teachers who are unable to get to their schools because of the weather
must report to their nearest school.

When you insult teachers with your accusation that they extend their
holidays by tagging on in-service days at the beginning or end of
holidays you again show either your ignorance or your venom towards
the teaching profession.

Who do you think decides in-service dates? Teachers? Well they don't.
Headteachers? They don't either. In-service dates are set by the local
education authority.

You imply that when pupils are not in school, teachers are on holiday.
In fact you don't just imply this, you ask "are twelve weeks holiday
not enough?" Well, it might come as a surprise to you to know that
there is actually work for teachers to do when pupils are not in
school. Do you think new courses write themselves? Do you think
teachers acquire new knowledge and skills by osmosis?

In future, perhaps you should think before making such unfounded,
ignorant and downright insulting accusations.

Unfortunately, I do not hold out much hope.


--
Paul

On Fri, 04 Mar 2005 21:24:17 GMT, "GKN" wrote:

Appologies to Paul C.
Who seems to fail to understand my point, and has a failed attempt at
getting personal with his replies.
Perhaps he does have a genuine problem with a dusting of snow.
He may even be a school teacher.


He is indeed.

Like many other people you appear to think that because you were once
at school you understand how schools operate.

You clearly do not.

When you suggest that some schools closed on a Friday because teachers
fancied a long weekend you show your ignorance.

Who do you think makes the decision to close a school? Do you somehow
think teachers hold a meeting and take a vote not to open so they can
all bunk off for the weekend?

The Headteacher makes this decision. In my experience the Headteacher
makes this decision after consulting officers of the local authority's
education department. Within my authority when schools close to pupils
because of the weather, teachers remain within the school whilst
teachers who are unable to get to their schools because of the weather
must report to their nearest school.

When you insult teachers with your accusation that they extend their
holidays by tagging on in-service days at the beginning or end of
holidays you again show either your ignorance or your venom towards
the teaching profession.

Who do you think decides in-service dates? Teachers? Well they don't.
Headteachers? They don't either. In-service dates are set by the local
education authority.

You imply that when pupils are not in school, teachers are on holiday.
In fact you don't just imply this, you ask "are twelve weeks holiday
not enough?" Well, it might come as a surprise to you to know that
there is actually work for teachers to do when pupils are not in
school. Do you think new courses write themselves? Do you think
teachers acquire new knowledge and skills by osmosis?

In future, perhaps you should think before making such unfounded,
ignorant and downright insulting accusations.

Unfortunately, I do not hold out much hope.


--
Paul

On Fri, 04 Mar 2005 21:24:17 GMT, "GKN" wrote:

Appologies to Paul C.
Who seems to fail to understand my point, and has a failed attempt at
getting personal with his replies.
Perhaps he does have a genuine problem with a dusting of snow.
He may even be a school teacher.


He is indeed.

Like many other people you appear to think that because you were once
at school you understand how schools operate.

You clearly do not.

When you suggest that some schools closed on a Friday because teachers
fancied a long weekend you show your ignorance.

Who do you think makes the decision to close a school? Do you somehow
think teachers hold a meeting and take a vote not to open so they can
all bunk off for the weekend?

The Headteacher makes this decision. In my experience the Headteacher
makes this decision after consulting officers of the local authority's
education department. Within my authority when schools close to pupils
because of the weather, teachers remain within the school whilst
teachers who are unable to get to their schools because of the weather
must report to their nearest school.

When you insult teachers with your accusation that they extend their
holidays by tagging on in-service days at the beginning or end of
holidays you again show either your ignorance or your venom towards
the teaching profession.

Who do you think decides in-service dates? Teachers? Well they don't.
Headteachers? They don't either. In-service dates are set by the local
education authority.

You imply that when pupils are not in school, teachers are on holiday.
In fact you don't just imply this, you ask "are twelve weeks holiday
not enough?" Well, it might come as a surprise to you to know that
there is actually work for teachers to do when pupils are not in
school. Do you think new courses write themselves? Do you think
teachers acquire new knowledge and skills by osmosis?

In future, perhaps you should think before making such unfounded,
ignorant and downright insulting accusations.

Unfortunately, I do not hold out much hope.


--
Paul

Paul, I agree that teachers, like social workers, scientists and many other
vital groups of any decent society are maligned unfairly. I think it's just
this snow thing really. I have given it some more thought and the only
possible reason I can come up with is that many teachers don't live locally
to their school anymore. Clearly some would be delayed and perhaps this
would lead to insufficient numbers to manage the students. Generally though,
some of the feeble excuses I have heard first hand from headteachers like
"the toilets might freeze" do not do justice to the education profession.

Dave

Paul, I agree that teachers, like social workers, scientists and many other
vital groups of any decent society are maligned unfairly. I think it's just
this snow thing really. I have given it some more thought and the only
possible reason I can come up with is that many teachers don't live locally
to their school anymore. Clearly some would be delayed and perhaps this
would lead to insufficient numbers to manage the students. Generally though,
some of the feeble excuses I have heard first hand from headteachers like
"the toilets might freeze" do not do justice to the education profession.

Dave

Paul, I agree that teachers, like social workers, scientists and many other
vital groups of any decent society are maligned unfairly. I think it's just
this snow thing really. I have given it some more thought and the only
possible reason I can come up with is that many teachers don't live locally
to their school anymore. Clearly some would be delayed and perhaps this
would lead to insufficient numbers to manage the students. Generally though,
some of the feeble excuses I have heard first hand from headteachers like
"the toilets might freeze" do not do justice to the education profession.

Dave