Is this really fair? School reports

[punkbaby]

Do you think its fair to put a child down in a report because they lack in certain areas, mainly sports and arts and crafts (painting building etc)

DD9 got her report back today, there is a rather stern comment in there that she must improve in her sports/physical education and arts and crafts as its not good enough to have her excel at maths reading and writing and not this. Does that sound wrong?

Her reading and writing etc are well up there in the grade 6 level, shes in grade 4 now but honestly she is very unco-ordinated, i wont deny that but i felt that this comment was uncalled for. ALl kids are good at certain things i feel

would you say anything? shes changing schools wed as we move house but still felt really angry they would put there there and i am so glad she didnt see it!

[Ana Gram]

I would say something. There is more to life than being good at sport!! And the majority of the population are not very artistic. It isn't a failing!

[mishlc]

punkbaby,

It does sound a bit harsh. I work in the school system and know how some of the teachers can be...also some of the students. I am in upper school so is a bit different...but I wouldn't worry too much if I were you.

I was hopeless at PE and by the time I got to high school I flat out refused to participate. My parents were ok about this because they saw the bigger picture and maybe thats what you need to do? Just think how clever she is at everything else...does a Lawyer need to know how to play tennis to excel at his job?

The thing I would worry about though is teachers being unkind to your DD. One of my PE teachers in high school was angry at me for not joining in and wanted me to come back to the office with her at the end of class. I wen to leave and as I walked off she grabbed my bag and pulled it back towards her almost making me fall over...I turned and grabbed her arm and dug my nails in and said you let go of me now...she threatened assault charges etc on me for the nail thing but she knew she was in the wrong because she had grabbed me the way she did. Blah, Blah, Blah...I know I babble, anyway all I mean is, question your daughter how the teacher treats her in class and get onto that straight away if not acceptable.

Hope that helps...hugs to you

xxx Mish

Oh, yeah, I would question the teacher too

[Buddha Bubbas]

Yes it does sound unfair. My DD is the same. She is good at arts etc but not good at sports. I wouldn't worry about saying anything if she is leaving. I don't think I would. but maybe if you do they could see your point of view and change it?? Sounds pretty harsh what they wrote. It doesn't really work like that does it? OK so you are good at maths, reading and writing but not at the others and that's not good enough :confused:

We received our reports on Friday. They have changed and now its just A,B,C etc. No comments at all. Previously it had a comment from the teacher and the principal. Now nothing. Wow talk about encouragement.

[SassyMummy]

Sounds unfair to me too.

Why should all kids be "all-rounders?" Why should they be expected to be good at everything?

I would think the fundamentals (reading, writing, maths) would be the most important, and if she's doing well there... then what's the real problem?

If she's not making an effort, then yeah, I'd expect them to comment on that... suggest she tries to do her best from now on... but you can't just EXPECT people (kids or adults) to be good at eveything.

I tried with sports at primary school, but I just sucked so badly. I still suck. In High School my PE teacher used to tease me about my ball-throwing skills... likening my throw to a cobra striking. Made me not want to even try (so I didn't...lol).

I think I would go to the next Parent-Teacher Night and let them know how ridiculous it is to expect a child to be brilliant at everything...

[punkbaby]

I dont have a problem with her apparently failing PE that doesnt bother me i know shes good at other things and reading writing etc is her strong point. I just think it was really uncalled for wording it this way...like i said she is really unco and i figure well shes not good at that so be it lets work on what shes good at and is happy doing. (she has only just learnt to use a scooter so shes pretty unco lol accident waiting to happen) I am trying to get her to do a few activities at home to get her co-ordination up but not pushing her, only doing it for her benefit so shes not teased at school...she was teased for not being able to catch a ball playing netball etc she does try but when shes put down etc she gives up and thats totally understandable to me. Her teacher had the nerve to say to me Ohh your artistic why isnt she? WTF?

Its cruel when the teachers say it and the kids pick up on it too i think :(

[mum2littleman]

:hugs: sound very unfair to me, i would say sumthing even no your DD is changing skools i would still ask why sumthing like this was writen but thats me.

[Ashleigh<3]

I would say something.
I'm so sick of standards.
Every kid is able to excel at something, I think it's so stupid to say that every kid is able to surpass other kids that are really good at art and sports.



:cool:

[mishlc]

I dont have a problem with her apparently failing PE that doesnt bother me i know shes good at other things and reading writing etc is her strong point. I just think it was really uncalled for wording it this way...like i said she is really unco and i figure well shes not good at that so be it lets work on what shes good at and is happy doing. (she has only just learnt to use a scooter so shes pretty unco lol accident waiting to happen) I am trying to get her to do a few activities at home to get her co-ordination up but not pushing her, only doing it for her benefit so shes not teased at school...she was teased for not being able to catch a ball playing netball etc she does try but when shes put down etc she gives up and thats totally understandable to me. Her teacher had the nerve to say to me Ohh your artistic why isnt she? WTF?

Its cruel when the teachers say it and the kids pick up on it too i think :(


I totally agree about the teachers. The funny thing is in their opinion what they teach is soooo important. The PE think PE is a fundamental thing a child needs to learn and be good at, The Art teacher thinks art the same, Drama the same etc and none can understand when soemone else doesn't agree.

Teachers can be harsh and so can kids. Your DD sounds like me when I was at school, I was useless! The bolded bit in your quote, that is exactly how it is. I see it everyday. The kid that doesn't do so good, gives it a go and the others laugh and tease and then sometimes, to my shock the teacher somewhat joins in. Not necc saying anything directly (otherwise I'd step in) but not exactly diffusing the situation either. Thats why I would thoroghly recommend quizzing your daughter if this starts to affect her as it can escalate and don't be fooled to think the teacher will be there for her and stop any bullying coz it's not necc the case.....just be cautious is all I say iykwim?

[Refresh]

Yup, it sure it unfair....I can't stand this about the school system....we all have natural gifts and talents and these should be nurtured and focussed on instead of the weaknesses being focussed on:(

I really think this is a major area where the school system is failing our kids.

[punkbaby]

Thats what i dont understand rather than push her to read more (shes reading harry potter books in 2 days ffs heaps of praise for that from them) they should maybe try do someting to help her co-ordination and if they arent going to do that then leave her be. They havent tried to help her in that respect so rather than say what they said i think it would have been nicer to have tips on what i can do to help....apart from what i am doing already

[Elfin]

Yup, it sure it unfair....I can't stand this about the school system....we all have natural gifts and talents and these should be nurtured and focussed on instead of the weaknesses being focussed on:(

I really think this is a major area where the school system is failing our kids.

Ffrenchie how spot on you are :yelclap:

I have found this too that some teachers focus on the weaknesses and when you say what can we do to improve things, they can't offer anything. I guess I am solutions rather than a problems person. If a problem existed it is always best to intervene early and I would want to know about it but I think if a problem is identified then I think the teacher has to offer some way forward to help that child, not just criticise.

Punkbaby it is not a very nice report and to be honest they are not areas I would be too fussed by either. As a grown up your dd is probably unlikely to be playing organised sport so long as kids do some physical exercise, whether it be riding a bike, kicking a ball around the yard or walking to me that is more important especially in the long term.

[Frazzled]

Hi Punkbaby (and anyone else who is interested) I ama teacher and our report comments are meant to be like this:

One comment on an area of strength, one comment on an area where the students can improve and a general comment if desired.

There should NEVER be a personal judgement made.

So it should sound like this:

Punkbaby is a hard working student who always makes a valuable contribution to class discussions. She can continue to improve in this area by working on her organisational skills. Punkbaby is a valuable member of this class and is a pleasure to teach.

Make sense? I am a secondary teacher but my sis is an Assistant Principal in the Primary sector and I know they have to follow these guidlelines as well.

Does your little one have a separate comment for each Learning Area? I know that's what is meant to be happening in NSW, and then an overall comment.

Part of the new reporting guidleines set by the govt but say that parents must be given an opportunity to respond to reports - so there should be a parent teacher night coming up soon, if not ask for an interview and take the report with you and ask the question - you have every right!

[RedPanda]

I've never understood why PE is even scored. It should just be about kids exercising, having fun and learning new sports. Why bring them down by marking them? It's not an academic subject so I can't see why it needs to be ranked.

[punkbaby]

Thanks Frazzled...there is an overall report on her schooling by her teacher he is the one that stated this comment. There is also a second page where there are comments from each teacher, arts, sports, music, libary, computers etc, the sports comment sais "lack of interest her inability to try is holding her back in succeeding she must learnt to take critism as this is what being part of a team is all about. DD has the abiltiy of a grade 2 student which is dissappointing on other team members"
(see why i wanted to slap him...she is 9 she is a year behind due to starting school earlier as shes a march baby if that makes sense but acedemically with everything else she is up there at grade 5/6 level)

The arts comment is "DD is creative however does not show enthusiam or have the creative streak like other class members, dissappointing when tasks are assigned as a group for other students"

The teachers comment alone was enough and well these comments are very un-tactful or is it just me?

[Frazzled]

PB, no teacher has the right to make comments like that (for some kids we would like to say a lot worse!!!:laughing: ) But to make such harsh personal judgements and compare her to other students is so wrong. you def need to address this, I would love to hear how you go. Poor little munchkin, that is so degrading.

[RedPanda]

They sound like discouraging comments punkbaby. Perhaps the teacher who wrote it just isn't good at expressing themself well? By the way, I was ALWAYS terrible at PE and art, and have had a few comments like that in my reports. I still remember some of the comments.

"Hazellew has a couldn't-care-less attitude towards sport which makes her difficult to teach"
and
"Hazellew has very poor hand-eye co-ordination - she really must work on this"

Oh, and I'm a March baby too, so young for my year.

By the way, I think it's awful for your DD's efforts to be described as "disappointing". If she's trying her best, then that's all she can do.

[reAllytee]

Definately sounds a bit harsh but then & please dont shoot me for this !

We also have to be careful of the fact we are breeding a generation of kids who are told they are great at everything because we dont want to be " negative " about anything.

I think though the comment that was made should have been worded a lot more eloquently !

Anyways thats just my opinion :o

[punkbaby]

THankyou!! Its not me then!

Her last day was there today but i will be contacting the school and requesting they reword their comments and put a please explain.

DD gets enough exercise we are quiet active walking every day etc swimming and shes fine at that - its not like shes lazy and doesnt want to excercise thats what i dont get , but i guess when your shot down like that who would want to join in

[reAllytee]

Yeah dont worry my mum had words with our school librarian when i was in primary !

Her comments in regards to my borrowing of books etc was rather rude !

Mum told her to stick it & that how dare she even make those comments when i was a bookworm which this woman knew !!! But she was cranky i wasnt borrowing enough books yadda yadda ! Mum was like " come to our house & see how many we all have then tell me whether she needs to borrow any " lmao !

I do believe there was no comment made on my next report lmao !

[Theboys&me]

I too believe that the report could have been worded better.

For those that say not to report on things such as PE, bear in mind that some students really struggle in the classroom but excel in PE so it gives them a great sense of achievement as well. Just a thought....

[RedPanda]

That's a good point Hayley. PE is probably a huge source of self-esteem for non-academic kids. I hadn't thought of that.

[punkbaby]

Thats true hayley i see your point there too :) would love to read the reports of these kids though to see if they copped as much as my dd

[Theboys&me]

Yeah I really think you need to talk to the teacher about it. Seems strange that they use words such as 'disappointing'

I am a teacher myself and I know that you have to be careful to get the correct message across without being insulting.

Hope it all turns out well for you Punkbaby!!!

[Roopee]

Yes, i think it was harsh! I also think that teacher needs to learn how to phrase her sentences properly! (like me lol)

Maybe you could say to the teacher.."oh so you are good at putting people down but absolute sh!t at expressing your beliefs constructively" and then swagger away! Gee im :devil6:tonight!!

[Elfin]

Punkbaby I don't think you are overreacting whatsoever:no: They are very negative comments that could seriously crush a child's self esteem.

Honestly she has not done anything in that report card to offer any solutions, she has just thrown up problems.

[Lila]

Do you think its fair to put a child down in a report because they lack in certain areas, mainly sports and arts and crafts (painting building etc)

DD9 got her report back today, there is a rather stern comment in there that she must improve in her sports/physical education and arts and crafts as its not good enough to have her excel at maths reading and writing and not this. Does that sound wrong?

Her reading and writing etc are well up there in the grade 6 level, shes in grade 4 now but honestly she is very unco-ordinated, i wont deny that but i felt that this comment was uncalled for. ALl kids are good at certain things i feel

would you say anything? shes changing schools wed as we move house but still felt really angry they would put there there and i am so glad she didnt see it!

must be a quite upfront teacher who wrote this...
my dd got an not at level in PE too, but it said she is improving....:laughing:
i don´t give a lot on reports, because i do know my kids and those reports don´t really tell me any news...
don´t get to hung up on it and if your really don´t like it- tell them.
afterall they had psychology in uni, you should think they are bit better to chose their wording....:cool: