What the hell happened???

[Paul P.]

I turn my back for two minutes and the PLATO forum has gone! Where's my diazepam? - somebody pass me my diazepam!

[Paul P.]

SET . . . . Gail . . . . Marko . . . . Anybody? It's dark in here and I'm frightened!

[Primary Teacher2]

Paul - I'll repeat my last post from the PLATO site. I wrote this after hearing the astonishing news that the PLATO forum was being closed down - right at a time when discussion and comment was needed on a number of critical issues ...

"We have the enemy on its knees and we are throwing away the sword."

The "Sword" being the power we had to debate, receive and disseminate information.

[Paul P.]

Then it’s time to forge a new sword!

[GDM]

So pleased you got your parole Paul.
This site has the potential - let's use it.
Cheers
Graeme

[Paul P.]

"So pleased you got your parole Paul."

It wasn’t easy, trust me.

I have a question – how many of you out there have taken on prac. students recently? – and what’s your general impression?

[Russell]

I had a good one.. my first praccy.. but it's a lot of work to back track and pick up all the bits and pieces.  I don't know if I'd do it again.

[SET]

Paul, my understanding is that the PLATO forum has not gone into extinction, but into hibernation. Those who were running it and some of its participants needed a rest.

I know that there are some people still waiting for their beanies. The beanie delay has been due to the world recession. My small business in beanies is being starved of funds by the big four banks. I am currently thinking of taking production off-shore (either to China or Tasmania) if I can find a financial backer.

Don't worry, all will be well again.

[Gail Reed]

Hey Paul, I wondered where you'd run off too. Plato entryists have taken over the SSTUWA site.  Funny about that. Wider debates don't happen. The hot issues are Interim Reports, Gisborne's cockups and poor performance, NAPLAN,  half year cohort and that is about it really.

We make do Paul, we make do. I wouldn't put money on the resurrection of Plato. I'll send you an email and tell you things that are not fit for publication.

[Paul P.]

"Hey Paul, I wondered where you'd run off too."

Gail,

I've been doing exam supervision for Deakin and trying to get my book finished – seemed like such a good idea when I started! Look forward to your email.

SET,

I’m sure the beanie business will pick up again. Have you thought about a government grant from Mr Rudd? If he’s going to sell off the farm you might as well get in for a hectare or two.

The reason I asked about pracs is because at the moment I have a friend who’s belatedly trying to finish (he went off to SEA for a few years instead of completing his GradDip) his practicum. He’s struggling, but his mentoring teacher seems pretty disinterested. Just wondering what the general feeling is with regard to mentoring duties. It seems that a lot of teachers these days are reluctant to take on trainees.

[Paul P.]

Guys, I have to say, compared to PLATO this site is pretty sedate. Certainly not lame, but definitely walking with a pronounced limp. Any chance someone will same something inanely provocative before I’m old enough to collect (what’s left) of my super?

[peter george]

This site is in its infancy and will eventually take off. So let everyone know about it. Get on the SSTUWA site as well . Tell everyone how you feel . Keep the bastards honest. There is so much we can do if we keep the pressure on. Don't let bozos like Paul Murray and Rob Fry get away with teacher bashing. Don't let WACOT sell us short. Don't let Gisborne and Kelly continue their confrontationist dictatorship . Don't let DET bully us into submission.

[Paul P.]

“This site is in its infancy and will eventually take off.”

Fair enough Peter, everything worthwhile has to start somewhere. So to return the crux of my question, what’s the feeling out there re: prac. students?

[General public]

Why don't all the teachers who contribute to the Nabble Site (which has taken over from PLATO) for now advertise it at their own schools?

Also is there anywhere the general public can contribute on the SSTUWA website or is it only for registered teachers?

[General public]

I just took a look at the SSTUWA website and it's down at present - 11.38 a.m. Saturday 30th May 2009.

There is something called a Community Portal which for the present remains a mystery.

[maxiMIM]

SSTUWA Web did a major upgrade and overhaul Thursday - maybe ironing out bugs, etc..  Doubt if it will be out of action for too long...  The info there is quite hot, but still mainly the regulars contributing.

However, a number of members have signed up over the past few weeks, but still dreadfully small amount considering the overall numbers ... Obviously a big proportion of members couldn't give a fig ...

[peter george]

good post MaxiMIM  We have to give a fig especially concerning our reactive executive and their reluctance to seriously challenge DET bullying re interim reports, country incentives , NAPLAN,behaviour problems and workload. They are a giant rubber stamp for DET and their so called union principles have flown out the door. There is no fight just placation, no proactivity just reaction,no new ideas just rehashed rhetoric.

[GDM]

Nice one Peter.
"so called union principles have flown out the door. "
Are you sure you spelled principles correctly?
Cheers
Graeme

[Gail Reed]

My thoughts Maxi babes, is that the majority of members pay Union dues and trust that the Union leadership are working on their behalf. Many do not expect to have to rush in and engage in damage control. I'm reminded of the immense effort put in by activists in the say No to the AIP campaign because we believed that trade-offs and low salary outcomes belong in the past.

Recently we saw mamy of the same activists involved in organising a picket in defence of the Eastern Hills teachers against the bulling tactics of DET. At the last minute the Union leadership endorsed the picket having realised that it was already planned and was going to go ahead with or without their endorsement.
 

[Fiona W]

Hi Paul, welcome back.

Teachers take on praccies with a strong accompanying sense of apprehension. If they are good it's all fine, but if they aren't it can take an awful lot of time. One we have had this year came and announced that her course was crap, she hated studying and couldn't do Maths. She went on to explain to her supervising teacher what the procedure would be to give her an HD, took over our Learning Team Meeting, said she didn't "do" Sport, took days off here and there and refused to do lessons. OMG! Houston we had a problem. On the other hand, we have had a couple of really great ones.

I attended the WACOT Mentor awards on Friday and was very pleased that this role is able to be recognised in some way. The mentors really had gone way over and above the call of duty and deserved the recognition. Yes they were fortunate to have mentored appreciative types who showed initiative and made time to put pen to paper, and there are many, many more mentors who could equally deserve the accolade. Inevitable equity problems aside, it is nice that this role is publicly valued and recognised in some way. The point was made that they were given the award for their good work but also they were accepting it on behalf of all the other wonderful teachers out there who put in extra hours to help a beginning teacher. It came across as a delightful affirmation of the "other" work teachers do.