No posts for two working days because I got caught up in Registration on Monday and preparing and delivering sessions yesterday. It's always a bit of a nightmare when the students arrive as we never seem to be fully prepared for anything. Monday was a case in point. Despite my repeated requests that all the PAC folders were given back to returning students, when I checked on Monday lunchtime, it turns out that the Stage 2 students hadn't received theirs. I was very surprised by this as I had told Maureen where all of the PAC folders were but she was convinced that all that she could find were last year's Stage 2 and 3 folders to give to this years Stage 3 and 4 students. I asked whether she had collected the folders from the ACE's office and just as she said "But those are Stage 1 folders" the penny dropped! I'm not sure about Maureen sometimes - she's lovely and very organised in many ways, but she doesn't always seem to listen to things that are said or to information provided. Ho hum. It just means another logistical session of giving folders back when we could have ensured that they all went back on Monday.
Tuesday wasn't too bad - a deathly presentation from the Dean, with David Myatt in the audience for some reason, followed by Nigel's welcome to the Stage 1 students which I slipped out of to see Jayne about moving some tables out of the Mackinder lecture theatre as it looks a mess. I do try to miss Nigel's presentations wherever possible as they are quite annoying (he's really not got to grips with what our degree course is about) and badly produced (despite 12 years in academia!). So, I didn't get too put out by what was said.
Russell produced a lovely email yesterday to all Stage 1 tutors which I asked if I could plagiarise for Stage 3 (he was happy to let me). So, generally things are going OK. However I'm very tired this morning and have a headache. One that has made me take some paracetamol which I hardly ever do. I hope it's not a cold brewing because I have to go to London on Friday.
On that note, I have received my appraisal from Jo Martin and, although I was dreading it, it was surprisingly positive. Quite rightly she has identified that I perhaps didn't get assigned to the correct type of visits last year to observe as I didn't see a full reaccrediation, only a Step 2 and a Step 3. So I'm observing for one more visit before becoming a full accreditor. I'm pleased with this as I didn't feel ready and would like the chance to participate in a full reaccrediation before being placed in the position of asking questions formally. Extra time to get inside information on our forthcoming event anyway!
Haven't really got a Hurrah and AAAAAARGH! list today - I'm too tired to think of one. I'm sure something will crop up though.
