Geography/Habitat
Tasmania: Where I started when I first came. It's the "other" staffroom and a good 4 second walk from the main staffroom. Home to the 6 generally broken and always slow staff computers, as well as, until just last week, a handful of teachers as well. Its teachers tend to be quite close, seeing as they're so very far from everyone else. Hence Tasmania.
Death Row: The first row that was actually named. The name came from Min, a former teacher here, and, at that time, resident morbid philosopher. It had been a dark place of brooding and moody isolation, though has cheered up considerably in recent times. Its teachers are often unwillingly sidled with the chore of removing books thrown on their desks (they abut the bookshelves) and actually organizing (!!) the books when they get so dangerous as to actually bring truth to the row's nomenclature. The last vestige of death in the row was a hung toy wombat, which was hastily removed before the last accreditation inspection. It never would have gone had Min been here.
The Middle Row: The only nameless row, to the best of my knowledge. Full of senior teachers and friendly faces, the middle row is where you find official answers and genuine help. It's cheerful, hardworking and a very good place to be.
The Row of Requirement: My row! I moved here from Tasmania years ago when I became a senior teacher and, though slightly distressed at the time, now know it as home. Named after the Room of Requirement in Harry Potter, our row is amazing at providing for your every and any need. I've got a list somewhere of the things the row has provided, but, off the top of my head, it's things along the lines of chocolate, food, cups of tea, chocolate, staplers, sticky tack, post-its, pens, chocolate, umbrellas, information, lesson ideas, lesson plans (thanks also to Matty of the West End), chocolate, jokes, fun, games, hugs, chococlate, photo ops, blog ideas, moral support, love and chocolate. Pamela was an integral part of the Row in her day, though Jo and Ally are by far the most constant constants in it. Others have come and gone too (the legendary blogger Sam, as well as more recently Yohann and Brad). Special mention does go to my one and only desk buddy (I'd been a lone desker in Tasmania) Matt -- may he one day sink a paper wad actually into the trash while I'm watching!
The West End: Although my row is of course my favorite, I've saved the other of the best for last. I'm an honorary West Ender and it's my other favorite. It's on the far west side of the school and (obviously ... surely this was obvious to you?) takes its name from London's theatre district. Although many of its occupants (I might mention Kaite, Gillian and Alice, among many others) have come and gone, Matty is its one constant. The West End is a delightful place of happiness and glitz. It's where you'll find collages of co-workers past, plenty of pictures and a song and a boogie. It's decorated, be-planted and complete with a non-functioning computer. The West End: "Where we can't make a noun and verb agree if our lives depended on it."
Food
Biscuits: Biscuits are an integral part of life in the staffroom. They appear without fail every Friday at 10 am, at which point there is a mad dash to get your favorites before someone else does. Stockpiling is allowed, provided no one finds out about your stash.
Top of the microwave: Free reign. Any food left is a free for all -- whoever gets it first wins! Food appears reasonably regularly -- though certainly every Friday of week ten when all the classes have had parties full of leftovers.
Tea: As Matty famously put it, if you can't go [to class] without your tea, you might as well not go. Wiser words have rarely been spoken, and we cling to our tea as if our lives depended on it. Fee in particular is the best tea maker of afternoons, generously pouring cup upon cup for everyone within earshot. Desk buddies are also generally good for cups of tea -- particularly in their buddy's last week.
When I first came, Matty and I had regular tea dates every Friday at noon. They followed the famous script:
Kimmy: Tea!! So, Matty, what are you doing this weekend?
Matty: Oh, Kimbo! Absolutely nothing. You?
Kimmy: (insert a million things here)
Matty: I'm exhausted just listening!
Chocolate: As you can see, chocolate really is one of the four major food groups (the others, obviously, being biscuits, top of the microwave and tea). Working in a staffroom of many women, you're always okay to borrow tampons or chocolate should the need arise. Chocolate is by far the most common gift and it flows freely ... nearly every day.
Culture
Recreation: See Games Australians Play.
Massages: Thanks to Rosa, you're never far from a massage when you need one.
Hugs: Abound -- always there when you need one, and of course the official Friday hug from Sharon.
To all my co-workers: I'll miss seeing you every day so much -- but will be seeing you soon!! Lots and lots of love to you all!!
--Kimmy :)
3 comments:
Cute! Love your picture, too. Your hair looks great straight. Did you do that yourself?
Thanks :) Tell me which John you are and I'll answer your question!
LOL Meredith ;) Your answer is yes :)
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