Do it, Michael, do it

It is a far, far better thing I do now.

We’ve already replaced Colonel Blimp with Colonel Blimp Mk. II (i.e., another AP sort with, in all likelihood, no IB experience), hence that post didn’t get advertised.

The Screeching Blimpette was meant to be leaving, but with Sarasvati departing, she’s apparently decided to apply for the post of DP Co-ordinator with Colonel Blimp’s backing. (In fact, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if this encouragement was quite deliberate; the misguided favouritism of Vlad’s day is still alive and kicking.) This has caused consternation to the point that although I don’t expect to be successful (beyond applying), I’m going to apply for the job myself. Mr Bradford and I have both been talking about doing this, and I’ve had Reggaeman ask me to throw my hat in the ring.

As I said, I’m not expecting to get very far, especially if (as I hope) someone with proper experience applies, but the Blimpette’s sole qualification is her belief that she’s qualified. She certainly doesn’t have sufficient experience of IB, and among other things, I’ve been the EE Co-ordinator for about four years beside her one as a not particularly competent (except in her own mind) ToK Co-ordinator. And having worked closely with Sarasvati down the years, I can say that I have a reasonably good idea of what a DP Co-ordinator has to do.

In all truth, I have no desire to be the DP Co-ordinator even if the programme wasn’t under threat, and even if our numbers are declining. (As an aside, the IB programme will survive a bit longer because this year’s IGCSE classes are expecting it to be offered; but academically, a significant number of them are very, very weak to the point that we may have only 30 IB students next year.) The job could also be a poison chalice because we still haven’t heard anything further about the five-year review, which means that if the IBO doesn’t resolve the issue, the new co-ordinator may have this problem to address.

I also doubt whether I’d be regarded as suitable material for what is the No. 2 post in the centre, which is again why I hope we get a well-qualified candidate. As I’ve long said, I’m Merlin, not Arthur. I give counsel, but I don’t lead the troops into battle with rousing speeches. On the other hand, Fortune may raise me further, but for her own amusement rather than mine. Fingers crossed that at the start of the next academic year, I’m not introducing myself as the new DP Co-ordinator.