Australia's Science Forum

That's right, all NSW staff come back on Tuesday 28th April. Some fool made a mistake a few years ago when working out holidays - there has been quite a bit in the media over the past few weeks over this. Good for us, bad for everyone else.

I agree Dime; I also make our own and we do use about 2-3 litres each term. I think it is fun to make, and I also have tried metho and it seems to work just fine. I use the recipe in the "Laboratory" book too.

Hi Wendy, I prepare all gear and place the trays/tubs in the Prep room closest to each Lab. I never go into classrooms, and never/extremely rarely, set up any apparatus. I have 3 labs upstairs (with a prep room between each) and absolute copy of rooms down 20 stairs. The Science staffroom is about 7...

Thank you Sassi,
The more the better, especially for those new into Science. Helps to add to their collections of ideas. Greatly appreciated.
Sue

I was "politely" rapped over the knuckles too,(as was another Labbie, earlier) for having the audacity to email Mr Haigh. But it may be that the collection goes ahead this term but I won't be holding my breath.

Judy,
I received both faxes, thank you so much. Will add them to my ever-growing "booklet" with your name in the credits!!

Thanks again, Sue, for all that info. I am printing out the reports today, that I have made over the past 12 months - where nothing has eventuated. I hope to hand them to the auditors and I will be staying back late if necessary when they come through Science.

I'm with you Sue, wow liz, wow sassi! I also am printing out your comments and taking them to our next faculty meeting (to which I am not usually invited.) Seems like lots of us have this problem. Thanks again for the comments and support.

Thank you Judy,
My school fax number is: 02) 6584-0335
Thanks for any help you can send.

I am hoping to create a small booklet to hand to the Lab Assistants attending our Professional Training Day on 28/4/09. If you have some pracs using Indicators (mainly to help our new members) could you please email them to me (sue.cox2@det.nsw.edu.au) so I can put them together before the holidays....

Thanks for that, Voice. It is obvious that you have sat down and thought about this. I also have problems with staff not ordering. I start work at 7am every day - and I know at 8:15am there is nothing on the Orders board that I have not seen and either finished preparing or in the process of doing i...

Oh Macca, That sounds like a full time job on its own. Why doesn't the HT do that? Maybe you need an assistant! Good luck with it. I also would consider a transfer to Front Office if I was asked to do that, (way over and above what I consider our job involves). "They" seem to ask more and ...

I am surprised - just reading over Bindi's comments from June 2008 and her audit. I have NEVER had an audit (at least, I have never had anyone go through the Science block, that I know of). However, all the complaints about various safety hazards etc., that I have logged with the OH&S Committee ...

Hi Lisa,
I mentioned last year that our school purchased about 50 from Westlab Supplies. PO Box 1680, Ballarat Vic. 3354, Phone 03) 5333-2941. They cost $10 each and are great, all the teachers are very happy with them. Great, prompt and efficient service, with billing etc.

Hi Sue,
I just asked our Chemistry teacher (who has a double Major in Chem) and she sait that as soon as you put it in a 'base' it will turn blue. However, she said you could add a few drops of a base, such as Sodium Hydroxide, and then it will turn blue too.
Good luck.

I also start early, usually arrive about 7am, but don't start actual work till 7:30am. I leave any time I like after 2:30pm. Much more convenient, as you say, when you can leave doors open and walk around safely without fear of being bowled over, etc. I am a 'morning' person, which also makes it ver...

Would it be possible to have a look at the plans - could they be faxed to me on 65684-0335 marked attention SUE in Science. Do we have ANY say in the matter? I reckon a local handyman could fix my prep room over a week during any school holidays, and it would be EXACTLY as I want, and about one-quar...

Morning Sue, I totally agree. From one extreme to the other, this country has it all! But there is nowhere else we would rather be. Heaven help those people who may have deliberately started any or the fires, both here (NSW) and Victoria. I hope they get life imprisonment!! I watched some of the tv ...

Here we are, another year, and the Department has said probably by the end of this term, the pickup will take place. Meanwhile they have told us that it is now up to the Regional Director, Peter Haigh at Coffs Harbour, to organise the collection. I have emailed him already, (no reply after 5 days!) ...

Thanks for all your positive comments. I thought afterwards it was fairly petty over a few dollars, but then I thought of all our tax dollars, all the fat cats, and all the times I complain but do nothing, then thought "yep, it is a good thing to follow through". Have a great break everyone!