As part of our new feature, we are talking with members of the ̨��swag Family and finding out how life has changed for them after the school closures announcement.

This time we chat with Christina Woods, Lead Learning Manager/AAP at ̨��swag Grange Academy.

Read on to see how Christina’s day to day life was changed due to the measures taken by the Government.

[̨��swag.com] Hi Christina, thanks for taking the time to chat with us. We appreciate you’re busy, so let’s get to it! Things have been turned upside down recently, for reasons we are all too aware of. So, for you what has been the most difficult aspect of the lockdown period for you and your work?

“The personal honest answer is simple. It’s been quite difficult to decide what combination of smart upper wear attire to go for, that looks professional on a Google Meet but which goes nicely with trackies or day time pyjamas! I mean, it’s a genuinely difficult decision I have to make on a daily basis!

“Then there is the difficult battle of not going to the fridge every 10 minutes when I am working on my laptop right next to it. Working at OGA also has the added bonus of a guaranteed daily 10,000 step count which is definitely lacking at the moment!! 

“But to get serious, the professional answer is that I find it difficult to make my safeguarding calls as not all parents will answer a withheld number which is of course completely understandable.

“It’s also sometimes hard to back my own decisions. Sometimes at work, back in ‘real life’, a quick chat with a colleague about a student can reassure you that you have said or done the right thing and this is what I am missing at the moment.”

Well we all know your struggle with the first part! Especially with it getting warmer, speaking personally, I don’t seem to own many work shirts that look good with shorts!

The second part of your answer is understandable, it is definitely difficult adapting to those things we take for granted now not being as freely available. So dealing with this, what is a typical day now like for you?

“I will wake up at around 7:30am and scroll through social media and read the news, look at my Timehop and reminisce about socialising with people. 

“Then it’s a steady 10-15km on my exercise bike while watching an episode on Netflix or something from Disney+ to keep active.Then get ready and have a weetabix breakfast before I log on to my laptop. 

“I am still making well-being and safeguarding calls and these get logged on the trecket and cpoms although I have found calling before 10am doesn’t result in many answers! 

“I will then break for some lunch before my afternoon work, which will usually involve some admin for the Y6 transition, which is obviously quite different this year!”

Sounds like full days for you then. What has surprised you most during this period then?

“I think the community spirit has surprised me the most. I have never known a time when local people are posting on Facebook that they are making bread but do not have enough self-raising flour and about 20 people are commenting and offering to go on their daily walk and bring some round. Such a warm feeling to know that people will support you!”

That’s true. There have definitely been positive moments during this, especially the togetherness that has been present. So what have you found most satisfying in your work during this spell?

“I have definitely learnt new things on the Google Suite every day. 

“I have found myself trying to watch online tutorials and learn how to make Google Sites, Google Forms etc. and this has been really cool to learn! Who knew that Google could do all these things that can help us teach?!”

That seems to be something quite a few people have found! Do you think your approach to work will change after this lockdown period?

“I think I will enjoy being back amongst the hustle and bustle that is a secondary school!

“Whilst I may have at times complained about being too busy, it is something I miss and the routine of going to work seems to be an important anchor in my life. 

“I now realise how much easier work can be if I keep myself organised and prioritise my to do list. 

“I have really enjoyed going to see the horses more as well and this is something I should continue to make more time for every once life has returned to ‘normal’.”

A nice positive end for this then. Thank you for your time, Christina.