Study reminders

[alt_sinistra]

Just a reminder to students in the OWL and NEWT exam years that the projection stones make studying for the chart identification portions of the exams much more flexible. Stones can be checked out from me during my office hours, and used in the classroom at any point when I’m available to open it.

I also intend to continue my usual spring habit of additional study sessions (starting in February this year). I’m always glad to share sample questions, to mark practice charts or locational problems, or otherwise give you more practice. As I did last year, I'm also planning brief notes in the next few weeks about where I feel you've mastered the material, and where you could best apply your study time.

For those interested in February’s lecture in the Guild, we do have a few more spaces left. If you’ve not told me you’re interested, please do so by Wednesday. I’ll have some brief (and I promise interesting) prepartory reading for everyone - you can pick that up any time after Friday.

Comments

Private message to Raz and Tosha

[alt_sinistra]

I did get a chance to talk briefly to Pomona this afternoon, but we got interrupted about 20 minutes in, and she thought it would take a while to sort through. (And then she wasn't at most of supper, so I suppose it must have.) I got the bare minimum out - that you both had no idea, neither did Minerva.

You’re right, Toshenka, that without knowing the challenges, it’s hard to plan. That said, when Pomona and I are both being acerbic about the potential disruption to the work of the school, it’s clear we should prepare for it to be difficult. I’d rather have a plan and not need it than get caught out again. Last year is pressing rather too heavily, really.

Clearly, we need to discuss more next staff meeting. Do you want me to try and talk to Septima, Tosha, or would you rather do it? Both in general, and to make sure there's time left for it.

Did either of you get anywhere? I’ve got students with questions, so won’t be free to come down and chat for a bit. (Plus, some of the gossip is being informative.)

Private message to Pomona

[alt_sinistra]

Sorry we didn’t get a chance to catch up more - I really do miss just talking. (Maybe we can find a planned time to chat regularly, and then if we have to miss some, we’ll at least know when the next is? I’m finding that very reassuring on Tuesdays with my friends and supper in New London.)

Miss Pimm and Miss Tatterson all right? Just start of term nerves, I hope, nothing worse? I've had a swarm of fifth years suddenly realising there are exams looming this evening, but that's a different sort of thing from firsties. (And rather more predictable, really, it being January, I suppose.)

About this afternoon, I really do trust your judgement and experience a great deal. In terms of the effect on students, more than I do Tosha or Raz. (Just fair, that). I admit I’m as uneasy as you are, though I suppose Tosha has a point about putting the cart before the thestral.

Private message to Cedric

[alt_sinistra]

You doing all right? Must be very odd for you, right now, I realised when I was talking to Pomona earlier. And I rather suspect, from what Tosha said Friday night, that you’re likely to be busier than ever keeping up with him for a while.

Look, I wanted to say that one of the things I’m certainly planning on, whatever else happens, is study sessions for the NEWT exam, but of course Heph Bobolis will be there. If you’d rather something else, I’ll make the time, or arrange it so you needn’t deal with each other. Just tell me what you’d find easiest.

And of course I’ll loan you projection stones, if you’d rather work on your own - just need to make sure I don’t loan you what I need for the week’s classes, but that’s easy enough.

Re: Private message to Cedric

[alt_cedric]

I have actually been thinking it might be time to try bring Heph off the bench of friendship. I certainly won't work to avoid him. I just hope it goes better than with Tyche

As long as the study sessions are in the evening, I'll just make that my Astronomy study night. I would also appreciate the loan of some of the projection stone and of course I'll work around your class schedule.

I hope this term doesn't turn out anything like a year ago. It was jarring to see people walking around with pins again.

Re: Private message to Raz and Tosha

[alt_rabastan]

I have an appointment with Rolanda tomorrow after dinner to fly for a bit and talk. We'll see how it goes. She sees our charges at their rowdiest, we'll talk about keeping a lid on this mess. I hope that it'll be better working with her than against her like last year.

For all the upper years this week is going to be all about dealing with unexpected surprises and attacks in normal settings. Not the dueling pitch, not the battlefield.

Re: Private message to Raz and Tosha

[alt_sinistra]

Raz, love. Just realised there's a something I ought to tell you about before you talk to Hooch. Our rooms, when you're done teaching? Shouldn't take long, just, well. You should know, so you're seeing the full chart. Her seeing sense on this would go a long way to soothing some things for me, anyway.

(It's from last April, when - well, we couldn't talk at the time, and after we could, it was the nearly the last thing I wanted to revisit.)

Your plans seem rather sensible from here.

Re: Private message to Cedric

[alt_sinistra]

In that case, consider yourself most welcome at whichever of the NEWT review sessions you wish to attend. They'll be evenings, no matter what, probably at 9 or so, but I may vary the days a bit to make it easier for people to juggle other things. I don't usually start them until later in the spring, but this year, I think starting early is entirely sensible. More flexibility if things come up.

I'm hoping the same, about this term. Raz and Tosha and I've been talking about the implications among ourselves, and I hope to continue talking a bit more with Pomona in the next day or two. If you happen to hear anything that'd be useful to the staff - you may hear entirely different commentary than we do - we're certainly wanting to make sure that the work of the school continues to run as smoothly as we can arrange.

Re: Private message to Raz and Tosha

[alt_antonin]

I've spoken with Mr Marvolo, who was rather surprised to discover he is expected to adjudicate. He wished to discuss the qualities Our Lord is seeking in members of His council, so that he might make wise decisions. It was a productive conversation, at least; I believe he too is worried about the disruption this might bring to school matters, and likewise concerned for the safety of his peers, both those who have been admitted as postulants and those who have not. He is in a good position to influence the competition, at least.

I'll invite Septima to tea after supper, but it would likely be sensible for you to speak with her as well. I am not her favourite, though we've at least reached more of an understanding.