Bullying by Stealth - TES

"We spend the best years of our lives at school, although few pupils realise it at the time. But what about teachers? Can they honestly say that education is as rewarding as they would wish it to be? It should concern us all that many teachers answer that question with a regretful “No”, because there are few professions which are as vital to the future of a nation as that of teaching.
We entrust not just the intellectual wellbeing of our children into the hands of these dedicated men and women, but also the social and moral standards that society needs to uphold if
civilised behaviour and care for others is to cascade down from generation to generation.
I’ve spoken to many teachers about the great satisfaction, the spiritual reward, they obtain from seeing young minds and souls bloom and grow under their care. But sadly, I have spoken to many others for whom the classroom is a place of stress, anxiety and unhappiness."
Chris Roycroft-Davis

Chris wrote these words as part of the forward in "Love your Life.." and the reason the came to mind this morning is because I was reading in TES an article about Bullying by stealth - The drip-drip-drip of management bullying is wearing away at teachers.
If you have experienced this kind of treatment or know of a colleague who has been on the receiving end of bullying, please share your thoughts and ideas.

You might find the download "Dealing with Difficult People" available at eilidhmilnescom useful.

You will simply have to register to gain access to the free download materials.

A-List Readership!

I have often said that I have the best of clients.
Now I think I can extend that to the best of readers too!

Dear Eilidh,
Just letting you know that I am enjoying the book that Geraldine Masson gave me as a leaving present on my departure from Wheelock Primary.
I like the common sense approach and the use of stories particularly the story of Teddy and Mrs Thompson! It does rather remind you why we are in this great profession.
Since I last saw you at the Deputy Heads Conference, I have been very busy: Successful Ofsted, achievement and attainment significantly improved for past 2 years, completed my NPQH alongside my Masters degree in Educational Leadership and Management (just!!), leadership and management visit to Cape Town schools through LECT ( now that was an experience!) and I have just been appointed as Head teacher to a large urban primary in Stafford (Flash Ley Primary School), a very different catchment from Wheelock but I have the same aspirations and expectations from that community.

I really like the 'Seven Ways to be a Cool Fat Cat' many of the concepts I already try to adhere to but some have focused me on improving those aspects of our characters/leadership that need a bit more TLC!! I have enjoyed reading about ensuring the profession doesn't take over our lives and am making sure I spend as much playtime with my own children as well as deciding to transfer my Territorial Army Commission off the Reserve List and back into an active unit, well all work and no play makes a very dull day. Overall I will certainly be recommending the book as it is so easy to read compared to all the other stuff out there, and I did enjoy the familiarity of knowing several of the names quoted from within the Cheshire area! Best of luck for the future and keep up the good work!

Regards
Gareth Morris
Wheelock Primary School

P.S. On my departure the kids in my class asked me “Now you are a Headteacher are you going to have to start acting responsibly?" My response was asking them what they thought the chances were of that happening. Their loud and enthusiastic reply was a unanimous “No way, not a chance!"...They know me too well!

Please let me know your views and news.

F1 World Champion

Did you see the final of the F1 this weekend? It was drama and tension right to the last corner! And as family of Formula One fanatics... it was a true triumph.

Whether or not you caught the race, it cannot have missed your attention that the UK now has the F1 World Champion in Lewis Hamilton.

He is an amazing young man with so much determination and skill. Lewis had lazer focus on his dream. He believed in himself. He knew that he had what it takes; what was necessary to make him successful.

What can we learn from his amasing feat? Socrates said, "A warrior doesn't give up what he loves... he finds the love in what he does." And it is perfectly clear that Lewis has a passion and love for racing and this has embraced his entire family as well.

Never ever give up – even when things seem hopeless and slipping away from you.
Chase your goal with gritty tenacity.

There is a poem on my website called Don’t Quit!I recommend it to you.

Here is the first verse:
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must – but don’t you quit...

Just log on and register to read the rest of the poem and then you can download a variety of other resources too.