madmoneys xmas pesky saving challenge

madmoney_2

thanks jo, very informative that, altho it has made me more anxious about the fact that im not qualified.
Rayday, thanks hun, i can understand oh worries IF my son was of secondary school age, but as it stands im not sure. Theres no problem with us both being CRB checked, we are upstanding citizens lol. As for the childcare side of it if I get really desperate i could put him inthe nursery for the morning, just until after xmas i suppose. oooh im getting really excited now n i know i shouldnt in case i dont get it, i used to do my college placement at this school n im hoping a few of the staff are still there n recognise me coz they all loved me!

rayday2

All sounds good, go for it!

jo1972

Didn't get the job, although had a bit of luck - whilst in the interview they said that a secretarial position has come up and would I like to be considered for that! So gotta wait a couple of weeks for the interview date to be arranged.

MM for your reference, here's what happened (apparently this is the norm)...

When I got there it turned out to be a group interview, there were 7 of us. We all sat in a room and had to take it in turns to speak about a time in your life that you are really proud of and talk about it.

Then we had to take an object from the table (i.e. beads, abacus, flashcards etc) then write for 20 minutes on what activities you could do for the kids with this one item and then tell the group.

Then we had to speak about if, money/job/kids no object, real or imaginary, what one thing would you like to achieve in the next 3 years and why.

They then went off to discuss and called us out one at a time to tell us if we made it through to 121 interview or not. 2 were told no and the rest of us were called in and took a really easy numerical test and then a face to face interview in which they asked about different experiences that you could talk about where you've deal with children.

All in all, quite long winded but it was not to serious and I had fun.

Really hoping I get the secretarial job :D:D

madmoney_2

oh unlucky jo, but tbh it sounded like u were after the secretarial job more? so ive got everything crossed for u, let me know nearer the time and how u get on wont u.
i kind of expected there to be a group interview as thats how these things work, but i wanted to know how many interviewed you? and were they the governors of the school or headteacher etc?
it sounds quite daunting to me the whole process really, but thanks for the heads up about what goes on, im gonna do a bit of research on the activities, and recap on my special needs training, what did u say for the activity n everything?:rolleyes:

mm

madmoney_2

quick update guys, walked past the school where ds and potential job is with oh this morning, and ever so casually mentioned there was a job going there, to my utter surprise he turned round n sed "well i think u shud go for it, u know, get back to what you do best n all that!!" i was shocked, but broached the subject again saying what about ur concerns of me working where ds is goin to school n he sed i dont think it matters that much as hes only 4, it would be a good move i think!!!! wooohoooo so thats one snag out of the way!!! just waiting on a fonecall from sis as to what to put on the app. form now, as shes a lecturer so knows what shes talking about!!

mm

jo1972

MM, we were group/121 interviewed by the two deputy headteachers, they were lovely

It sounds daunting but you've got to remember that when you're talking in a group nobody else is taking a blind bit of notice of what you're saying apart from the interviewers cos they're more worried about what they're gonna say themselves! I couldn't tell you what any of the other 6 people said to any of their questions!

I picked a pack of food snap cards and the activities and uses I put where:

Encourage nice play, i.e. not snap to violently and try to encourage taking part is more important than just winning (they laughed at this one).

Using the cards to explain the benefits of healthy eating, which food groups are which etc.

Learning colours of foods and as they have the words written on them you could teach the phonics.

Older kids: let them menu plan and say what they like to eat and get them to make up a 'plate' of food using the cards. Get the kids to explain what foods go together and which don't.

Younger kids: use as flash cards.

Ummm I think that's it!

You will be expected to help the teachers in the school wherever necessary, help at lunchtimes in the dining room, help out at playtimes and administer first aid (first aid qualification wasn't necessary in the job I applied for as they send you on a 4 day course, although I'm already a first aider). Displaying the kids work. Helping out small groups of kids on activities. Going on school trips.

That's all I can think of at the moment.

Let us know when you get the application and if you need any help give us a shout via PM

madmoney_2

thanks jo thats fantastic!!! you sounded like you knew what u were talking about, like i said im gonna read up on it a bit xxxxx
fingers crossed xxx

madmoney_2

hi guys quick update, not managed to save anything this week, and at the end of the month i need to pay the rent arrears off so lord only knows how i am going to manage this, if push comes to shove ill have to give up on my new telly n just wait till next year. hows every1 else doing?

mm
x

jo1972

Really really bad as it happens

I have no way of saving any money over the next few weeks, going to see Prince at the O2 on Friday and next week a mate and I are going to Claridges which is gonna cost a fortune.

Although just had a bit of luck, just had a friend ask if I want to buy a Baby Annabell doll with buggy/pushchair, carry cot etc etc off her for £30 for my DD2, total result as it's as good as new and my dd will not leave it alone when we go there, £80+ of stuff for less than half price

madmoney_2

hi jo, sorry to hear ure not going to be able to save much over the next few weeks, im in the same boat unfortunately for us!! gonna set up a savings jar tho n throw as much as i can in rather than wasting it, so that will add up by xmas hopefully, i know its not much but its the best i can do!! result with the baby annabel!!!