First day in my new school was great! Then I squeezed in cake making for the twins’ birthday tomorrow. Introducing a rather plump Hedwig!

Day 1 as a new SBM and I have already noted 43 actions on my short term to do list. It’s going to be a long week and I’m already chilling the wine ready for Friday!

So today I have managed to drop my morning tea in the wash basket and found a live bunny in the kitchen (a Happy Easter present from the cats!) Now off to meet the head to try and balance the budget for years 2 and 3. Given my track record this morning, it doesn’t bode well...

Sometimes we need a bit of straight-talking. Here it is. #SBA #SBM #SBL #SBP #SBLTwitter ⁦ISBL⁩ workingsbm.com/2019/05/18/sch…

I love my SBM life, but there is nothing more precious than family #findthebalance

Worst week ever 😟 difficult staff consultation meetings, stressed staff and the anniversary of losing my brother. Just about held it together, but I think people forget SBMs are only human #superhumansbm #wehavefeelingstoo

Is anyone else hoping the next two weeks somehow become four in order to get everything finished before the end of term? #ineedatimemachine #wheredoesthetimego on a positive note I’ve ordered my summer reads! 🏖

Warning! Do not try and make oven baked rhubarb jam and proof read your L4 SBPA diploma HR submission, you will set off your smoke alarm, have to deep clean your jam encrusted oven and explain to your family why the house smells of burnt sugar. Oops 😬

Summer checklist: tie up loose ends at school, leave useful contact numbers for contractors, pack cases for family hols, fall off bicycle head first 2 days before travelling and require stapling back together in A&E....nope that last one was definitely not on the list!

CPD is really important in our school, but with budgets as they are we need to get better at prioritising needs and ensuring we achieve ROI. Does anyone have a form for authorising CPD? How do you manage applications for course attendance? All contributions welcome!

This week I have saved my school more than £1000, by pushing back, asking for a discount and shopping around. This was just three contracts and maintenance works. There are savings to be made, but it does take time. Time well spent I'd say given my dwindling budget!

Last week I saved £1000, this week I’ve managed £2,360 Of savings! If you are an LA maintained school and haven’t yet considered the RPA (now available to us) instead of commercial insurance, then take a look! We’ve saved £2,100 on this alone. Happy Head and Governors!

I get that things are different during the pandemic, but ignoring repeated emails about a faulty order and requests for a resolution is not acceptable customer service! Ryman

Update on the whole FSM debacle! New advice (differs from Edenred advice yesterday) Summer FSM vouchers have to be delivered prior to August 14th. So If you‘ve ordered weekly vouchers for the summer these need to be cancelled and a new one off payment ordered for each family!!

Help! Need to implement BACS but can't seem to get any advice on how this will practically work for us in school. We use FMS and bank with Natwest. Looking at Natwest Autopay we have a low volume of transactions each month. Can anyone help? #sbltwitter #sblchat

Still waiting for SUEZ to collect backlogged waste from July 22nd despite numerous emails which they’ve just ignored and being told it would be done, but then they don’t show up… what is the point of having a customer services email if you don’t read them!