“You forgot to mention the local authorities,” East Renfrewshire education director Eleanor Currie chided GTC education convener Tony Finn (we paraphrase). “I apologise for the omission,” said a chastened Finn.

“You forgot to mention the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association,” the union’s Peter Wright protested (we paraphrase) when only an Educational Institute of Scotland person was mentioned as a suitable guest at the council’s “meet the profession” trip to the Borders in October.

Synonymity between the GTC and the EIS is not a good idea in these challenging times. And, past EIS president or no, GTC convener Norma Anne Watson could only agree.