Holiday outings

[alt_sinistra]

I’ve worked out the lists for the Newcastle and New London day trips: you should receive confirmation at lunch today one way or the other. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we coordinate staffing and other details.

We still have a few remaining spaces for CCF students for the Yorkshire Dales trip (8th April), and for both CCF and YPL students for the Cambridge visit (11th April). Please see me today if you are still interested. Confirmation notes about those trips will be out tomorrow.

You are reminded that your parents are responsible for getting you to the central meeting point in New London each day: specifics will be sent to them later this week, or they may confirm with Felix Green in the WEA office if they have other logistics questions. Basic expenses (including meals and any admission fees) will be covered by the programme, but you may wish to bring pocket money for extras. Promptness and exemplary behaviour are both expected and required.

I’m glad to take questions here. Otherwise, I’ll be in my office during my usual Monday hours after supper.

Comments

Private message to Gilly Chadwick

[alt_sinistra]

Again, wish I’d not been called away Thursday (and it’s causing more headaches than I want to think about) but a good half my students were very taken with you and are still talking about it quite cheerfully. (Well, we knew that was likely. But they’re also taken with the idea of engineering and what you do, which is probably more useful to society.)

Supper Tuesday? I will be in town to deal with various details. I’ve talked to Campanella, but would you ask Delilah and Sigrun? I keep alternating between feeling I’ve thought of everything re: managing Stint and being sure I’m missing something crucial, and friendly conversation and more pairs of eyes never hurt. Usual place is good.

Did Raz ask you anything, while you were here? He’s been a bit more intent on several lines of conversation since. Not that he doesn’t have adequate reason on his own, but I wondered.

Re: Private message to Gilly Chadwick

[alt_sinistra]

I know you meant well, telling him what you did. And that you’ve a tidy list somewhere adding up to why you did it. (And an argument about how people can't make good decisions without data.)

But honestly. If it had been almost anyone but you, I’d be furious. Nearly am anyway.

Raz doesn’t need more stars in that chart to illustrate his point. And he certainly doesn’t need more reasons to worry.

Look. I am doing my best. I know he and I need to talk, but I need space to do it in. I just have to get past next Tuesday, and I will.

Just … let me be till then, please? Not sure I want to talk to you more for a bit as it is.

Private message to Felix Green

[alt_sinistra]

Oh, Hypatia’s calculations. Did not need one more thing on my plate, though you will kindly notice I am not volunteering myself to staff everything. (Raz would have my head if I tried, even if I felt up to it, which I don’t.)

I do plan to come see you tomorrow - had been hoping not to make the trip, but it’s clearly the fastest way to deal with the expense signatures and other details. And I need to finalise the security process with Campanella, so all the chaperones are working with the same guidelines.

On the staffing:
The 6 third years should be presumed confirmed unless I tell you otherwise, though I’m still waiting on permisson from several of their parents.

2 April: Helpmann pointed out (useful, for once) that he’s not truly required for most of this round of meetings. Please swap the wrap-up of previous events discussion to first thing Tuesday morning (with the code discussion), and he’ll be glad to supervise the museums day.

7 April: I’ve been instructed that it’s entirely too delicate a visit for anyone else to handle, so me.

8 April: Dales : Vilas offered to take this one - apparently he’s fond of a bit of a hike and ramble himself, and as he says, Easter is not a family holiday for him. Featherstone, if we need him. (Honestly, though, I don’t trust his stamina.)

11 April : Cambridge visit. Stint has volunteered, which makes me wonder, but Campanella is glad to go too, and I trust her to keep him in line.

12 April: Helena’s offered and if you’d free yourself for this one, it’d be appreciated. I think you’d be a more enjoyable chaperone than the other options.

And if anyone (else) has questions about the Camelot Park trip, we certainly can’t stop people arranging a private outing there that day. Just the programme is not coordinating anything of the kind - and more importantly, not paying for it.

For next week:
Can you confirm you’ve tested the full transcription quill? Otherwise, beyond the Helpmann change, no changes to the agenda, and could you get that out? And would you schedule me for lunch with Mum on Monday (she's handling where) and you and Campanella on Tuesday (would you book a quiet table somewhere handy), so we can talk through some of the security issues more privately?

If you need to firechat, I'll be in my office between 1 and 2. Otherwise, see you tomorrow.

Private Message to Professor Sinistra

[alt_ernie]

I just received my notice about the Newcastle camp visit, and I wondered why I've not been chosen to go.

Have I done something that put me down the list? I thought I'd met deadlines for everything and that my attendance and participation had been acceptable, so I can't think why I didn't make the cut.

Only, I know my parents would have given permission. My father's said I ought to get as much experience of the camps as I can if I want to go into Muggle or Muggleborn affairs administration, which I do.

I'm not complaining, but I wonder if there's been a mistake, is all. Or if you could at least say why I'm not being allowed to go.

Thanks.

Re: Private Message to Professor Sinistra

[alt_sinistra]

Ah. Yes.

The number of students who can be included on that trip is very limited for several reasons, and priority for spaces was given to those who have not had the opportunity to learn more closely about the camps through a parent's work.

If you'd prefer to put your name in for one of the other still open trips instead, I'd be glad to do that.

Re: Private Message to Professor Sinistra

[alt_ernie]

Oh.

That seems Thanks for explaining.

Am I still being considered for the Cambridge trip, then? That's the only other one I could really do, what with Easter and all, you know.

Re: Private Message to Professor Sinistra

[alt_sinistra]

You are in fact on my list for Cambridge already, though we could probably squeeze you in on either of the New London days if you wanted.

(Sorry: I've been staring at so many lists this weekend they're all starting to blur.)

Re: Private Message to Professor Sinistra

[alt_sinistra]

I've been thinking about this conversation since this afternoon...

I wanted to reassure you that not being selected is not a reflection on your skills or dedication or anything else like that. (And I'd be glad to reassure your parents of that, if they have any questions.)

Far more that I was given a very specific set of priorities for that trip.

Re: Private Message to Professor Sinistra

[alt_ernie]

Thanks, Professor.

I'll tell my parents if they have questions they can ask you. I think it'll be all right. I don't think I'll tell them I asked to go and didn't get selected.

Re: Private Message to Professor Sinistra

[alt_sinistra]

That can be simpler, yes.

I did have a thought - had you considered putting in for one of the counsellor positions this summer? Or is the CCF commitment enough time away from your family for you?

We'll be doing a little conversation about it in my meetings next week, with the selection process sometime in May. You're certainly someone whose application I'd be glad to support.

Re: Private Message to Professor Sinistra

[alt_ernie]

Thanks. I'll think about it.

I don't think it would be a problem, being away in summer hols, you know. It's just on big traditional holidays, my parents expect we'll all be together. That's the problem with Easter, you see.

I suppose I want to keep things in balance, too. With my studies, I mean. What's the time commitment during the year, for counselors? I suppose I could ask one or two of them, only I think they must feel they shouldn't say anything that would sound against it.

Only, I wonder if it's a good idea to apply for YPL Counselor if I might be chosen Prefect. Or are you expecting I wouldn't be chosen for that? Have you heard anything said about that yet? Or is it just the Headmistress who chooses? Surely she asks Professor Sprout about which Hufflepuffs she'd support, though, and maybe you, as well?

I mean, I don't want you to think I'm assuming anything, only it would be very nice if you could tell me how these things work so I'd know better how to decide about the YPL position.

Re: Private Message to Professor Sinistra

[alt_sinistra]

I should start by saying that I can only talk about the past few years: there have been some conversations among the people I report to that may change how things work in the future, at least a bit.

(As you may have gathered from my earlier comments, I am not the only person who makes decisions about YPL policies or priorities.)

That said: so far the term-time commitment has been minimal beyond what you're already doing. It's generally helping out before or after events - setting things up, sorting materials after, getting notes out. No one person needs help every time, and it's flexible based on your other commitments. Rarely more than an hour before or after, or sometime during the week before.

As to the Prefects - certainly a number of our counsellors have also been Prefects. It can be a lot to juggle, but I'm clear that Prefect duties need to come first.

(As to whether I have any influence - well, Professor Sprout certainly asks my opinion from time to time, as I ask hers and the other heads of house about candidates for the YPL positions. But I also try not to presume on their decisions.)

[alt_padma]

Thanks again, Professor, I think it's going to be ever so informative.

Oh, I wanted to tell you, Parvati and I wrote to our parents and they've given us permission to organise a trip to Camelot on the day the others will be there. You said that would be all right, right? It's sort of an early birthday party for us, we decided. So I guess we'll be seeing people there as well as in Cambridge and New London.

Mum also wanted me to say that she'd be happy to sponsor tea or lunch on one of the days, like maybe the day that the others are in Glastonbury or something.

[alt_sinistra]

Camelot is a public park - we certainly wouldn't dream of restricting who else might be there. We're just limiting the additional student coordination to a few specific activities for a variety of reasons.

As to your mother - that's a most generous offer, and I'll be in touch with her by owl.

[alt_padma]

Oh, I know it's a public place, Professor, it's just that Pav and I haven't been there since we were little and we thought it would be nift to go again, this time with all our mates, you know. And we've made several mates in the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang groups, which is good, isn't it, because that's what we're all supposed to be doing. But we wouldn't have planned it for the same day if there was supposed to be something private going on, or anything. That's all.

Anyway, Professor, I'm glad that we're able to go on a few of the events but I'm also glad it's not every day over the holidays. I think we all need a proper rest. I hope you're not going to get stuck helping take all of the others all over the country? Well, even if you are, I hope you get to spend some time on yourself, too, Miss.

[alt_sinistra]

The point of the Cup is to make friends, you're quite right.

And no - the YPL planning committee is sharing out the supervision when there are Hogwarts students involved. Gives all of us a chance to spend some time with you, and all of us a chance for a bit of a break as well.

Private message to Professor Sinistra

[alt_luna]

Thank you for putting me on the list. I'm quite looking forward to seeing Cambridge. I've heard it's very beautiful.

I was wondering, might I be allowed to meet up with some friends the date of the second New London trip?

Re: Private message to Professor Sinistra

[alt_sinistra]

I understand it should be quite a nice outing, yes, especially if the weather clears a little.

As to your other question - formally, we can't add third years to the party. That said, I know you often don't get a chance to get out on your own during holidays, and I don't think there would be a problem this time.

You'd have to arrange permission with the Browns, and get yourself to the meeting point and home, but as we'll be meeting in Diagon Alley, that shouldn't be too difficult.

You'd also need to check in with one of the chaperones. There will be two, but I'll add you to the list for Mr Felix Green (a clerk in the WEA office who helps me with YPL business). He's not that long out of school himself, and very easygoing - as long as you check in with him and let him know by journal if you get separated from your friends, you should be just fine.

If Mrs Brown has any questions, please let her know she's welcome to ask - I'll be here till Saturday, then in New London myself if she prefers owl to journal.