Buttocks Brown

Yeah, unfortunately telling 17 year olds that you're going to lock their phones in a cupboard for 7 hours doesn't quite fly. Maybe actually a S1-S3 / S4-6 split in rules might work in secondaries. I was talking to a P7 teacher and she was saying that, ahead of moving up, the thing they all talk about looking forward to is having access to their phone all day.

I think we're at the point now where most members of staff are fed up and want them to go. As ever though so many school rules are a bluff. If a student wants to wear trackies every day then, push comes to shove, you've still got to give them their education. A system of "phone seen > hand it over" and some just refuse creating aggro and staff pissed off because they lose face. I think the answer is probably voluntary handover at the start of each day/lesson as most kids do get that it's a distraction to have it in class. At least then they're out the game and you've just got to battle with the usual minority who are problematic anyway.

Phones... We (secondary school) are just about to embark on an indoor ban. Anyone seen with one on school premises will be escorted to the office to hand it in. The HT wants every teacher available for duty at interval and lunch to enforce. "Good luck with that..." is my view. The phrase "from my cold, dead hand" comes to mind when I think about trying to get a lot of the kids to part from theirs. For the rest of them, if they've got a phone on them then they're going to use it surreptitiously whenever they get a chance. I think that an effective policy probably requires complete separation of phone and student at the start of each day / lesson. I know that some schools use pouches, boxes, etc. Anyone's school got a mobile phone policy which works well?

https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/michael-oneill-responds-rumours-linking-28820594 Northern Ireland boss O'Neill is listed at 6/1 to make the move to the Dons, but speaking as he announced his squad for the forthcoming friendlies against Romania and Scotland he dismissed the rumours. "I didn't start them, it's something that's been generated through the media. i was at the St Mirren v Aberdeen game a couple of weeks ago to watch Caolan Boyd-Munce, who played very well in the game, and Conor McMenamin, who was just coming back from injury. Obviously the Scottish media have read more into that than what there is but I've no further comment on it to be honest. I've signed a five-and-a-half year contract so I'm fully focused on what I'm doing here."

A rumour which seems to have stemmed from being at the St Mirren v Aberdeen game last week. Assume he was there though to see CBM and McMenamin. Yesterday, he was in Preston watching Ali McCann. Under contract with his country for another 4 years culminating in a home Euros. Would he chuck that for Aberdeen? Not so sure. Would be hefty compensation for the Dons too. Pretty sure though that Robinson will be the next Northern Ireland boss. Hopefully, it'll be in 2028.

32 seats left in the top tier of the away end at Rugby Park. They've now opened up a block on the lower tier. Not bad considering there are still 8 days until kick-off.

I see that Maccabi Haifa have loaned Stav to one of the smaller teams in the top league. He scored for them at the weekend.

I see that Killie's appeal against the Lewis Mayo red card has failed so he'll be suspended against us. He's played every single league game this season, so hopefully it'll unsettle their defence a bit.

Worth mentioning demographics too: 30 years ago, 50% of 17-20 year olds had a driving licence. Now, it's 25%. The recent surge in insurance premiums will dent that further. It seems inevitable that public transport will improve as an increasing number of people will be using it. For the time being though, politicians are more interested in appeasing older motorists to gain votes.

Going by the Killie website, it looks like 600-700 away tickets have been sold already for Rugby Park. Block 3 (middle one on the top tier) sold out so blocks 2 and 4 on either side now open.

I can't believe it's £3K / year for a 17 year old's car insurance. Getting your licence was an S6 rite of passage across the country, but it's going to become the preserve of the rich kids.

The Killie game is a great one to look forward to. Strain was back to kicking a ball last week, so hopefully he'll be there or thereabouts.

Delivery? We're also within walking distance of a supermarket.

I'm now within walking distance of my work and my missus works from home, so the motor has become a bit of a luxury. Have always resented anyway what a money-pit it is. Only issue would be the ferrying around of the kids to their activities. Taxis and public transport are available however. I've calculated that, all in, the car is probably costing £5K a year. Multiply by 20 and the savings from ditching it could actually help me retire early. FOMO is there though, especially for the weans. Anyone got rid? Any thoughts?

6 games in a row TO has come on as a sub and 3 goals in that time. He turned the game today chasing down the ball for the penalty. That 2nd goal going in.... up there with Paul McKnight at Somerset. Phenomenal. 7000+ attendance again today. Hopefully, that feeling will bring many back for years to come!