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Newsletter Spring |
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Editorial
Editorial
The article on academies in the last issue prompted a couple of very different responses. You can read them both on page 12 and 13, together with a reply from Mike Smith who wrote the original article. Mike writes this time with information about Trust Schools. Let us know what you think. We are always keen to hear from members.
Mike, and Kendra Deacon bring you up to date with current issues in their role as Divisional Secretaries. They have highlighted some of the matters which come up regularly in their case work with members. Look out, too, for the ‘Did you know?’ text boxes throughout the newsletter – these may be issues which are relevant to you. If you have any comments or information about how these affect your school, do write in and tell us.
Workload and stress always seem to be a concern for members. The article on the facing page is about stress workshops. You will find details of the Norfolk support line on page 11 and of the national Teacher Support Network on page 7. Many teachers have found their help invaluable.
As usual you will find information about forthcoming local association meetings on page 18 – further details can be found on the Union website (www.norfolknut.org.uk) or from Union officials whose contact details are on the back cover. Do send in any contributions for the next issue to me by email or post – details on the back cover.
Linda Brown
The views expressed in this Newsletter are the views of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NUT, whether locally or nationally.
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23/2/2009
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Did you know?
The NUT believes that school meetings should last no longer than 60 minutes, being held on no more that an average of one evening per week during a term, with a maximum of two evenings in any one week.
Do you know how your 1265 directed time is worked out?
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23/2/2009
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Stress Workshops for Schools
‘Stress continues to be the biggest cause of workplace absence’, according to one CBI/AXA annual absence survey. As if we might not have made an educated guess!
‘Non work-related stress, anxiety and depression were the most common causes of long-term absence. Government guidelines on how to manage it and a growing pile of evidence on tackling stress have not solved the problem.’
Some more proactive HR departments have realised that, although counsellors offer an invaluable service, personnel need to be given the tools for self-help.
As teachers, we endeavour to empower our students, giving them the tools to explore and discover for themselves. Surely we can apply the same approach to ourselves? A case, if ever, of ‘physician, heal thyself’.
Stress awareness and management should be built into our training when we are students and become part of our ongoing professional development. It is a necessity, not a luxury, in order to endure the pace and pressure of modern living.
The Relaxation for Living Institute (www.rfli.co.uk) has been in existence for over thirty years, teaching various relaxation techniques and cognitive methods to empower people to set about changing thoughts and responses, regaining a healthier, sustainable, drug-free approach to life. Many can be used at any time, anywhere – even in a busy classroom. You don’t have to wait for your weekly yoga lesson or await your counselling appointment for help with relaxing!
I have trained with RFLI and have also been a primary school teacher for the last seventeen years, so I have first hand experience of the stresses and demands with which we work in education.
If you would like to know more about how I can help your staff or your students to achieve the aims for wellbeing in your school please telephone me on 01603 757955 or e mail me at vicmic@walthuss.fsnet.co.uk . Victoria Walters
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23/2/2009
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Divisional Secretaries' Report 2008 - 2009
This has been a very eventful year for the division. Many changes have been seen at local association level, within the division council and within the county service. New association secretaries are in place in South Norfolk and Breckland and Dereham and Fakenham. Kendra is our new executive member. Kendra and Mike have taken over from Tony Mulgrew as joint divisional secretaries although Tony continues in the background giving advice and support where necessary. It was originally envisaged that Kendra would deal with the primary sector and Mike with secondary. In practice this has not proved either practical or necessary. So far the partnership seems to working well.
A farewell and thank you dinner was held at the Tuddenham Lodge in April to mark Glenys Shepherd’s retirement as our executive member. Dave Billinghurst has served as our treasurer for many years. Now that he has left teaching he has decided to move on from that post in order to offer his expertise to UNISON! His efforts are greatly appreciated and he will be sorely missed.
We were all shocked by the sudden death of our General Secretary Steve Sinnott. Members represented the division at the memorial service held to mark the tragic loss. Steve did more than anyone to unite the Union and repair the internal splits that had often distracted us from the real struggle to improve the education of our students and the pay and conditions of our members. Steve would have been proud of the support shown for the pay campaign. Many schools closed on 24th April when the NUT took strike action. Rallies and meetings in various parts of the county were well supported. Further action was curtailed by the economic crisis the country now faces but the pay of teachers continues to cause concern.
We continue to meet with other professional associations and the employer at JCC, WAMG, Health and Safety Committee and other meetings. Issues covered this year include: e-safety, reorganisation of special school provision, the 14-19 agenda, workload, stress, dust in workshops and the effect on schools of MRS.
The division has been represented at young teachers’ conferences by Kendra Deacon and Tina Humber. Kendra has organised a number of young teachers’ social functions in an effort to raise the awareness of young teachers and to encourage more activists to take part in the organisation of the Union.
National Conference was held in Manchester at Easter. Most delegates from Norfolk stayed at the same hotel, which enabled long and involved debate to go on long into the night! The division was represented by Tony Mulgrew and Moira Saunders.
Meetings arranged in Norwich and in the west were addressed by Jon Illingworth on the subject of work related stress. This is an issue that is not going away and is the cause of much casework. PPA should now be well embedded in the culture. Unfortunately we are still getting queries from colleagues who do not have identified PPA time or are being asked to prepare detailed plans for those lessons. The ending of management allowance safeguarding has started to bring about casework. Members are being asked to continue to carry out duties for which they are now not being paid TLRs.
Threshold and progression up UPS is causing problems. There is still an expectation by some heads that UPS is a replacement for TLRs. No doubt cuts in the budget supporting UPS will lead to even more colleagues suddenly being unable to reach the required standards. We will continue to strive for colleagues to receive the pay they deserve.
The open academy has opened in Heartsease and moves are well advanced to open a second academy in place of Earlham High. More proposals to create academies are in the pipeline. We have also seen the first application for trust status from one of the county’s schools. The Union remains opposed to these schemes and will campaign against them while doing all that we can to support members in those schools.
There have been a number of proposals from schools that may lead to redundancies. These are caused by a combination of factors, including the continued fallout from the reorganisation from middle to junior schools and demographic changes leading to falling roles. The division secretaries are meeting and advising staff in schools affected.
The Union in Norfolk is thriving. Membership is up and hopefully the new officers will be able continue to support the membership as well in the future as they have been supported over the last few years.
Kendra Deacon and Mike Smith
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23/2/2009
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Pensions - Exercising Vigilance
Although public sector pensions have but lately been renegotiated they remain under incessant attack from the right-wing press, influential bosses from the private sector, financial institutions hoping to cash in on the imposition of some privately managed alternative “money purchase” pension scheme arrangement and certain party political factions hoping for electoral favours from a confused and misinformed public threatened with grossly higher taxation in future years.
The leader of the opposition has lately assured business leader friends of his intention, if elected to government, to slash public service pension schemes, claiming that taxpayers face enormous expense in meeting the cost. To end what he terms as “apartheid in pensions” he is advocating the introduction of alternative “defined contributions” pension schemes. More cautiously, Conservative sources have subsequently announced that no final decision has yet been taken on scrapping all “final salary” pension schemes.
One is bound to question if Mr Cameron is aware that the teachers’ pension scheme is not funded but operated as a “pay-as-you-go” scheme with the superannuation contributions of those in service going to pay the pensions of those who have retired. Of course, a proper account is maintained of income and expenditure and regular reviews are carried out, allowing for adjustments in contributions should an actuarial deficiency arise.
Under a “defined contributions” pensions scheme, individuals would start to build up a pension pot from the first day of employment, such contribution money being invested on their behalf and made available to purchase a pension, rather like an annuity, on retirement. It is difficult to see how such a scheme would work since existing teacher pensions could no longer be met by serving teachers’ contributions.
In any discussion or debate on our very sound existing teachers’ “final salary” pensions scheme, it would be helpful if colleagues could always stress that teachers’ pensions are, as they always have been, in the nature of deferred pay. But please don’t just take my word for it: European law has confirmed it!
Ray Russell
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23/2/2009
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Management Allowances
Kendra and I have had a number of members approach us with concerns about the ending of management allowances and the expectation that they would take on responsibilities without extra pay.
The 2008 STPCD contains, at paragraph 65 of the Part 3 statutory guidance, on page 168, guidance on the relationship between additional responsibilities and payment of TLRs, as follows:
“Teachers are expected to contribute, both orally and in writing as appropriate, to curriculum development by sharing their professional expertise with colleagues and advising on effective practice. This does not mean that they can be expected to take on the responsibility of, and accountability for, a subject area or to manage other teachers without appropriate additional payment. Responsibilities of this nature should be part of a post that is in the leadership group or linked to a post which attracts a TLR on the basis set out in paragraph 22.”
On this basis our advice to you must be that unless you are paid an appropriate TLR payment you should not take on the role of subject or area coordinator or any other task that requires you to have responsibility for subjects or manage other teachers.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if this may involve you.
Mike Smith
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23/2/2009
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T S N
If you only do one thing today – check out the Teachers Support Network website and see what it can offer you.
Teacher Support Network is a group of independent charities and a social enterprise that provide practical and emotional support to staff in the education sector and their families. They offer information, support, and coaching to all teachers and staff. Phone 08000 562 561.
Try their online coaching. Ask a question online and get an answer from one of their professional coaches. Their InfoCentre contains more than 1,400 factsheets for teachers. Get your answers by searching at www.teachersupport.info/.
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23/2/2009
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Tony Mulgrew reports from the Teachers' Panel of the JCC
Since the last issue there have been two meetings of the Teachers’ Panel of the JCC. We met on 24th November, 2008 and then on the 22nd January, 2009. The main topics under discussion were:
Health and Safety We expressed our concerns to the Authority’s H&S officer over the expectation that the heads of D&T departments would be expected to ‘inspect the employees’ skin and make a judgement as to whether there is a need to ‘refer to Occupational Health for Assessment’. HOD’s cannot be expected to make such judgements. What would be their position if they ‘failed’ to notice something which was in need of medical treatment? This issue has not been resolved to the satisfaction of the unions and therefore our advice to members is to refuse to sign that part of the questionnaire. If you have any problems contact Mike or Kendra.
Asbestos Register Some schools are not keeping their asbestos registers up to date.
Exit Interviews Another long standing issue. We need to enable staff to express honestly why they are leaving schools and why they are seeking to retire early.
CRB checks for supply staff The 3 month rule is causing problems and costing supply teachers money. We also do not believe it is necessary to have a new CRB when moving from one Norfolk school to another.
Parent Support Advisors We need a protocol for how they will be managed and operate.
Academies At each meeting we had an update on the proposed academies in Norfolk.
Equality and Diversity Two people have been appointed to share this post. We will invite them to a future meeting.
Managed moves Our main concern is that information and risk assessments are not preceding the move. A school cannot judge whether it is a better place for the pupil without this information. There are various ‘protocols’ in existence across the county but we need to agree on procedures which manage the risk to our members and the pupils in the receiving school.
Framework for Teacher Development This attempts to look at the development opportunities for teachers at each stage of their career. This should be in schools in January and available on-line.
PPA and working time In some schools PPA time is not clearly marked on the timetable and is sometimes used for cover. Also, part-time teachers are being required to attend inset on days on which they are not employed.
Child Protection After Haringey there will be even more focus on schools safeguarding measures. Processes will have to be followed to the letter to avoid Ofsted judging the school to be unsatisfactory on safeguarding and being put in a category. Schools will need further guidance of what records are to be kept, how they are to be kept and for how long.
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23/2/2009
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Did you know?
Planning should be perceived by teachers to be useful to them in their teaching. (Furthermore, the NUT believes that there should be no requirement for teachers to prepare plans in retrospect in order to reconcile intentions with the course of lessons in practice.)
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23/2/2009
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MARK SLATER 1938-2008
We were very sad to hear of the death of Mark Slater on 29th September, 2008, after a short illness.
Mark made an enormous contribution to the work of the Union since he first became a teacher and continued this into his recent retirement. He was Secretary of the Huntingdon and District Association of the NUT and then of the Cambridgeshire Division. Mark was the Executive Member for the Eastern District prior to Glenys Shepherd.
He was a good friend of Norfolk, attending meetings here above and beyond what is expected, supporting us and keeping us up-to-date on national events. Mark earned the trust and affection of all who came in contact with him.
We extend our sympathies to his family and friends.
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23/2/2009
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Introducing Steve Smith, your new Dereham and Fakenham Association Secretary
As from March, I am taking over as secretary for the Dereham and Fakenham Association. I have been involved with the Association for 6 years and I have attended conference and been involved with county activities for quite a few years now.
I would firstly like to thank Tony Mulgrew for holding this post so well for many years and thank him for all the help and support that he has given me. He has served the Association superbly.
It is a time of great concern for teachers, particularly with pay and workload issues, and it is important to know that the Union is always here to give help and advice. I am supported by the very good and conscientious county secretaries who are always willing to give help and advice to members, whatever their concerns.
Please do try to attend meetings for this and every local association – details on page 18. You will find the meetings interesting and you can discuss matters and issues that affect you. Your local association secretary will be there to help. Plus there is free food and drink and we all have a very enjoyable evening so please do come along.
My contact details are shown on the back page of this newsletter. I look forward to hearing from you and hopefully will see some of you at meetings.
With good wishes for the year ahead, Steve Smith
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23/2/2009
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Did you know?
Are you getting 10% of your teaching timetable as PPA - even if you are part-time? And if you are part time has your head looked at your working time and pay under the new part-time rules?
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23/2/2009
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NORFOLK SUPPORT LINE
Confidential telephone support and counselling for the staff of Norfolk County Council 0800 196 7676
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23/2/2009
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“Reclaim the Night” - March 22nd November, 2008
This year’s “Reclaim the Night “March in London was even bigger and better than last year. The NUT held a women’s reception at the National Café where we ate finger sandwiches and drank some nice cups of tea! We heard an interesting and moving talk from a speaker from Refuge. Then we took to the streets along with 3000 other women from different organisations and charities, marching to end male violence against women. The atmosphere was friendly and supportive. I would highly recommend the experience to any women and if you want to take part next year please get in touch. It is now an annual event in November and the NUT is keen to keep putting on a reception event before hand so members can meet before the march. There is a rally afterwards but I had to get my train home as it was the weekend of all the snow!
Kendra Deacon
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23/2/2009
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CALLING YOUNG TEACHERS!
The Young Teachers’ Social in Norwich at the Orgasmic Bar on the 11th December was a great success. Many people came to have a few drinks, something to eat and a chat. Members got some freebies: a highlighter, post-it notes and a memory stick in exchange for their email address so they can be contacted about future events.
If you would like to meet up with members from the NUT to get advice or make new friends then please get in touch with Kendra to find out about future events. Tina Humber
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23/2/2009
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Did you know?
Notice for an observation should be 5 working days. Verbal feedback should be given by the end of the next working day and written feedback given to you within 5 working days
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23/2/2009
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Letters to the Editor
I was very interested to read Mike's article in the last Newsletter about the Academy and the potential for teaching the Biblical story of the creation as fact. The reason I am so concerned about the teaching of this myth as fact is that I am a victim of a faith school where certain things were taught as fact and other issues were drummed into us in such a way as to elicit a Pavlovian response.
As I got older I started to take a real interest in religions, especially the non-Abrahamic ones, and to my astonishment found that many of them had creation myths of their own. One story seemed to come up time and time again across many cultures and that was the story of the flood. It would seem that there was a pan-cultural race memory of an actual flood that devastated the various parts of the world at different times in their cultural development.
We know from the archaeological record that there was a flood in Mesopotamia before Ur was built and that parts of the Indus valley of Pakistan were flooded and that these stories were recorded by scholars in both places. To a large extent it is the story of Noah and the Flood rather than the creation myth that lead me to believe that most of Genesis is myth rather than fact and that to teach creationism or intelligent design as real scientific theories is bordering on the farcical. Yes, young people need to be aware of the Bible and the stories it contains as otherwise they will not be able to understand the rich cultural heritage that stems from it, but understanding our culture and using the creation myth as a basis for scientific understanding is illogical and, more importantly, does our young people a disservice.
In science there is really only one theory that can be taught that will enable our young people to have a good grasp on the way in which the natural world works and that is Darwin's Theory of Evolution through Natural Selection. The evidence for this theory is in both the fossil and the biological record where we can see evidence of mass extinctions and also adaptations to changes in climate, food and predation.
We may be 98% chimpanzee but it is that 2% that makes all the difference and allows us to speculate on the nature and age of the universe and indeed if there is a god or gods or nothing but evolution.
Pete Eldridge
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23/2/2009
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To the Editor
Mike Smith’s article (“Academies – the future”) was spoilt for me by the fact that he used it to parade his own prejudiced view of the subject. I was especially affronted by his use of the phrase “horror stories” when referring to “intelligent design” and “creationism”.
I can assure Mr Smith that a great many Christians – within the profession as well as outside it – regard the real horror story that of the theory of evolution being taught as fact in our schools for so long. If academies can help to redress the balance, then let’s have more of them!
Ken Nash
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23/2/2009
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Mike Smith responds:
I am sorry Ken felt affronted by my views on academies but I can assure him that I too am affronted by the attack that we are facing on our local, democratically controlled, comprehensive education system.
When I referred to the horror stories in the original article it was with reference to the practice in some academies to replace the teaching of a legitimate scientific theory with beliefs based solely on faith.
The theory of evolution is supported by reliable and valid evidence. Our children have a right to be made aware of that evidence and helped to draw their own conclusions. Beliefs that reject scientific evidence and embrace biblical accounts as an alternative should form part of their studies of religions.
Academies don’t “redress the balance”. The imposition on the science curriculum of the sponsor’s views on creationism and intelligent design at the expense of legitimate scientific theories is a high-profile example but not necessarily exclusive. The sponsor-appointed governors are able to impose their own curriculum. The “horror” is that sponsors can impose a narrow view on our children and deny the right to have informed debate. Mike Smith
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23/2/2009
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Did you know?
Do you understand the threshold application and progression on the Upper Pay Spine? Check out the main website – www.teachers.org.uk and type what you are looking for into the search bar (top right hand side).
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23/2/2009
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Trust Schools
Following close behind academies we are now starting to hear of proposals for schools to change to trust status. So what is trust status? First of all there is no such thing as a trust school! What there are, are voluntary-aided or foundation schools with a charitable foundation. As the foundation is set up as a charity, members of the foundation are trustees. Under the legislation, the charitable foundation can nominate a majority of governors for the school’s governing body. The charitable foundation is made up of external sponsors. The government’s policy aim is to persuade all schools to convert from community to trust status.
A key cause of concern for the NUT is the potential involvement of private sector companies as sponsors of trust schools. Through their trustee status, they could gain control of school land and premises, be able to shape the curriculum and dominate governance of schools. Acquisition of trust status is a short step away from setting up an academy.
Governance
If a school becomes a trust school, the existing governing body would be disbanded. The trust, as a charitable foundation, may appoint the majority of their governors, including parent governors. There will be no guarantee that local parents will be properly and democratically represented. Trust-appointed governors may have up to a majority of two of the governing body. A third of the governing body must be parents. The majority of the parent governors may be appointed by the trust. There is no evidence that self-governing, independent trust schools will support teaching and learning in schools. The creation of such self-governing schools will create new burdens for headteachers. Loss of local authority support for schools and increased administrative responsibilities will divert the attention of school leaderships away from the schools’ core teaching and learning role.
Powers to Facilitate Innovation
The government is encouraging ‘trust’ governing bodies to apply to use Powers to Innovate under the 2002 Education Act. A school governing body and its charitable trust can have the option to use statutory powers to innovate. The National Curriculum will remain a requirement in trust schools unless trusts are successful in their applications to the DCSF to innovate variations in the curriculum. The acquisition of trust school status will not, in itself, enable school governing bodies to change teachers’ pay and conditions. However, applications for innovation can not only cover the curriculum but also the organisation of the school day and teachers’ pay and conditions of service.
The NUT is committed to the principle of a good local school for every child. Schools are at the heart of their communities. Alongside their central educational role, they both contribute to social cohesion and economic regeneration. They can provide a central point for vital services and play, a key part, for example, in the delivery of the ‘Every Child Matters’ agenda. Trust schools only detract from initiatives such as these. The concept of independent, self-governing schools through trusts will undermine the capacity of all schools in a local authority to work together. Local authorities would have taken away from them the capacity to target flexibly support and advice to schools and the ability to co-ordinate effectively the ‘Every Child Matters’ agenda. Although trust schools are bound by the School Admissions Code, these schools will set their own admission arrangements - a situation which could lead to an increase in covert selection.
What should you do if a move to “Trust Status” is raised at your school?
Where consultation is conducted by letters to parents, school representatives should press for the inclusion of material from opponents, as well as material from the governing body proposals. Where possible, NUT members should press governing bodies to convene open meetings of all parents to consider the governing body proposals. Where parental ballots have been agreed, the governing body should include with ballot papers material containing arguments against trust proposals as well as material containing the governing body’s case.
Members attending parents’ meetings should note that, during the passage of the Education and Inspections Act, ministers emphasised that decisions on conducting such ballots were a matter for governing bodies. Where parents’ meetings only are convened by governing bodies, the facility should be available to both proponents and opponents of the proposals to give their views to the meeting. As soon as you hear any whispers about trusts at your school contact Mike or Kendra! Mike Smith
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23/2/2009
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NUT and Egypt
We were cruising along the Nile in from Luxor and could hear joyful young voices which seemed to be coming from the grounds of a school. We also noticed that there were times when the children didn’t seem to be at school, so we looked in our guide book and asked our guide questions. Some of our fellow travellers thought that only some children did not receive education.
The Lonely Planet guide gave us some good information and also had an index reference to NUT. There is a free education system for pupils aged 6 to 16 but the school day usually finishes at round about 1 o’clock; we assumed this is because of the high temperatures. (The roofing we saw over all sorts of things, including police cars in their parking area, was protection from the sun, not rain – they don’t have much rain). After age 16, education has to be paid for and lots pf pupils go to English schools. This explained why so many people we met could speak English. Much of the English spoken, however, was contextual, either to do with the attractions or to persuade you to hand over some money for goods or services. They wanted money just to tell you something, even if it was something you hadn’t asked about in the first place! Even the children were good at this.
But what about the NUT in Egypt, I hear you ask? Well, Nut (not NUT) is the goddess of the sky who swallows the sun every evening and gives birth to it each morning. But there is a link between Nut and the NUT: she also has the role of linking or making a bridge between peoples and the NUT has the ambition to link all teachers in one organisation. Nut’s arched body is often to be found over doorways in Egypt’s ancient buildings and temples with her arms one side and her legs the other. Ian T. Rix
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23/2/2009
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Did you know?
NUT policy is that teachers should not be expected to write more than one report on each pupil in each academic year. Reports include written documents and pro formas with tick boxes. Unless the reports are computer generated, the targets for the maximum number of words should be:
Whole reports: 400 words
Individual reports: 40 words
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23/2/2009
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Kendra Deacon reports from the National Executive
I hope that 2009 has got off to a good start. The first half term has certainly flown by. In the last newsletter I wrote about the second pay campaign ballot and at that time I don’t think many of us could have predicted what would exactly happen with the country’s economic situation. Although the voting overall was a YES outcome in favour of further strike action, from the breakdown of the results and listening to members it was not felt appropriate at this time to take further industrial action. I would like to thank all of you who voted – it is very important for the Union to know members’ views.
SATs have been a hot topic - the abolition of KS3 SATs and the continuing campaign to address the issues surrounding the KS2 tests. A joint NAHT/NUT assessment conference is being held at Hamilton House on 11th February. Schools’ minister Jim Knight has been invited to speak. Tim Brighouse from the DCSF Expert Group on Assessment Arrangements will be speaking and taking questions. Other contributors include: Warwick Mansell of the TES, Christine Merril of Durham University and Barry Sheerman, MP, (Chair of the House of Commons Children’s School and Families Committee), as well as the NUT and NAHT General Secretaries. I believe there is also a well known children’s author who will address the conference and I will report back in the next newsletter!
The GTC’s proposed Revised Code of Conduct has caused outrage and the NUT’s response is excellent, making it very clear that it goes “far too far” and ‘in many of its requirements it amounts to a wholly unacceptable interference in every registered teacher’s private life’. I have been very impressed with all of the NUT’s responses to DCSF, OFSTED etc consultations that they receive.
Academies, National Challenge Schools, Coasting Schools, A School Report Card, 21st Century Schools, Indicators of a School’s Contribution to Wellbeing, recruitment and retention of members are just some of the agenda items discussed over the last few months.
I will be one of the NUT representatives at the Women’s TUC conference in March, TUC Young Workers’ Conference also in March and TUC Disability Conference in May – so a busy year ahead!
Kendra Deacon - kendradeacon@yahoo.co.uk - 01362 698160
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23/2/2009
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Local Association events from around the County
West Norfolk and Downham & District Association
24th March 4.15pm West Norfolk PDC
19th May 4.15pm West Norfolk PDC
Norwich and District
3rd March 4.15 Drayton Junior School
12th May 4.15 Taverham High School (to be confirmed)
South Norfolk and Breckland
23rd April 7 for 7.30pm The Feathers, Wymondham
18th June 7 for 7.30pm The Feathers, Wymondham
Broadland
24th Feb 8pm The Ship Inn, Caister-on-Sea
16th June 8pm The Ship Inn, Caister-on-Sea
Dereham and Fakenham Association
12th March 7.30pm AGM, Burchett House, N Tuddenham
9th July Summer BBQ, Burchett House, N Tuddenham
West Norfolk Retired Teachers’ Club
Meetings are usually held at the West Norfolk PDC at 10.00am. Contact Mary Cook, 01553 829030, vmcook2000@yahoo.com
or Phyllis Marais 01366 382993, phyllis@oakfield7.freeserve.co.uk .
17th March Tammy Smalley: The Wash, Wildlife and Heritage
21st April Janet Rose: Machu Pichu
19th May Vic Saunders: King’s Lynn, Past, Present, Future
16th June Tony Higton: The Holy Land
Norwich Retired Teachers’ Association
Meetings on Wednesdays at 10.00am at the Christchurch Centre, Magdalen Road, Norwich. Details - Beryl Watkins, 01603 456617
11th March David Paul: Protecting Norfolk Wildlife
8th April AGM Business, followed by social event
13th May June Baker: A Hindu Wedding
10th June East Anglian Children’s Hospices
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23/2/2009
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Classroom Quips
During a discussion on the lives of children during World War II, there was a mention of Morrison shelters. One bright young spark followed this up with the (not unreasonable) question, 'Did they have Sainsbury shelters as well?' Richard Endall
Gretel came home from school, aged 6, very excited and burst out that she had triplets in her class (true!). Louise aged 4, asked, “What are triplets?” Drawing herself up to her full height, Gretel replied haughtily, “Triplets are three people who are twins!”
Celia’s older grandson sings in Canterbury Cathedral choir and, over Christmas, she took his little brother to a big service in the cathedral at which the Lord Mayor and other dignitaries were in full regalia (cocked hats with feathers, chains, cloaks, etc). At the end of the service Celia lifted the little one up to watch them and the choir process out of the nave. Spotting the dignitaries, he shouted out, “Oh look! PIRATES!”
Anna English
Richard Endall wins the chocolates or wine. Don’t forget to send in your quips for the next issue.
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23/2/2009
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Norfolk Knitters
Reduce your stress levels as you knit!
Norfolk Knitters knit for charity. Knitted blankets, jumpers, hats and scarves all go to people in need throughout the world via the International Aid Trust.
Interested in joining us or encouraging the children in your school to knit squares? Just get in touch.
Donations of wool always welcome.
Contact Linda Brown: 01603 872762
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23/2/2009
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Contact Numbers around the County
Editor: Linda Brown 01603 872762
Email: lindame278@btinternet.com
Beck House, Lyng Road,
Weston Longville, Norwich, NR9 5LP
Divisional Secretaries
Kendra Deacon , 01362 698160
Email: kendradeacon@yahoo.co.uk
Mike Smith 01953 719960
Email: norfolknut@btinternet.com
Breckland and South Norfolk: Chrissie Smith 01953 719960
Email: brecklandnut@btinternet.com
Broadland: Peter Ayers 01603 713565
Email: peter.ayers@tesco.net
Dereham & Fakenham: Steve Smith 01362 698637
Email: dfnuts@aol.com
Norwich and District: Letitia Willins 01263 512447
Tony Henri Email: nanddnut@yahoo.co.uk 01603 759407
West Norfolk
and Downham Market: Kendra Deacon 01945 475266
Email: kendradeacon@yahoo.co.uk
Teacher Support Network: Letitia Willins 01263 512447
Young Teachers: Kendra Deacon 01362 698160
Email: kendradeacon@yahoo.co.uk
Retired Teachers: Ray Russell 01485 540522
NUT Regional Office: Hilary Bucky 01638 555300
Email: eastern@nut.org.uk (Fax) 01638 555330
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