There is a mood of "it's great to be back" in the staffroom. Gone are the feelings of uncertainty and dejection that characterised the end of the summer term. There is no talk of disruption or what might or might not happen over the new school year. Once the summer is over, teachers in general, are glad to be back.

The "staggered" start to the year helped. Between staff meetings, different starting days for each group of classes, and half-days, the mood is nice and relaxed. The glass of wine (or two) after the staff meeting also helped. All were glad that the Leaving Cert results were good and that the class of 2001 had achieved what they deserved.

"We never had so many first-round CAO offers," announced Mary the guidance counsellor. "Even Billy Doyle got an offer."

"What offer did he get - was it two passes and a cheque he got in on?" queried Tom.

Mary ignored the interruption, noting that Tom was making an early start to the banter.

Stories of holidays in foreign parts were gleefully swapped. Jim, it seems, was persuaded to bring the family to southern France. His kids are all teenagers now, so he was outvoted on his choice of the usual trip to the Costa del Connemara and the traditional late-night revelry with the locals. Once the wife bought the shorts and the runners for him he knew there was no argument.

He was enjoying the sunshine and the vino until it dawned on him that he wouldn't be back for the Dublin match in Thurles. So one afternoon he set out with the family to find an Irish pub that might show the match. No joy.

The youngest lad was commissioned to find RT╔ on his radio. No luck.

Young Helen thought her friends were going, so she would contact them at half-time on her mobile. She drew a blank.

Eldest son had spotted a cyber cafΘ, so with Dad in tow he found it Monday morning; soon they were reading Tom Humphries on ireland.com.

Timetables become a big talking point during the first days of term. There are mutterings when one sees last class on a Friday on one's timetable. Bill has 3D for a double class last on a Friday. Signs of a peaceful year were not good on Friday last, as they tested his patience with some jokes learned in summer.

"How will we ask to spend a penny, Sir, after the change-over to the euro?"

Before Bill could say "enough of that now", a chorus rang out: "we'll ask to leave the room to euronate."