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Original poster

Teacher speak interpretation needed please [grin]

29 replies

seeker · 31/03/2013 09:06

After years of school reports, I have learned what "lively" "eager to contribute" and "full of life" mean!

But ds has 5 "reward" certificates this term, 3 of which use "determined"

Ideas? Bloody minded? Never gives up, even when clearly in the wrong?

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Schmedz · 02/04/2013 19:21

Will be using that one this report season EvilTwins! Brilliant!
That reminds me it isn't too long until I will have to start writing all mine...

EvilTwins · 31/03/2013 22:05

Good point about "can". I make rather too much use of "X has proved that he is able to..." as well, in the same context.

Kez100 · 31/03/2013 21:41

If its a reward certificate it must have a positive slant. Otherwise they just wouldn't bother giving him one.

If it were in a report however, I'd feel it might be cryptic too!

Schooldidi · 31/03/2013 21:22

That's true Schmedz, although it falls down when describing new skills they have acquired. I might say "X can now solve simultaneous equations" as a good thing because it's something they couldn't do before. But I agree that before a behaviour it's probably not great.

Sparklingbrook · 31/03/2013 21:18

Grin Schmedz.

Schmedz · 31/03/2013 21:16

Anything preceded by the word 'can' ( as in 'X can listen well to instructions...) usually means it doesn't usually happen but has maybe on one occasion!

EvilTwins · 31/03/2013 19:25

been at the red wine.

EvilTwins · 31/03/2013 19:25

I was told by one of my yr 11s that her report was a bit "gushy". She questioned whether I had new at the red wine... Blush

Sparklingbrook · 31/03/2013 16:06

Parents should have a choice of how they want the reports worded School. Those that can take the truth can have it told like it is. Grin

Schooldidi · 31/03/2013 15:52

I'd love to be able to say that Sparkling. Our "house style" is generally against being rude about children though, however accurate it might be.

Three your ds sounds like the sort of pupil I enjoy teaching, as long as he does learn when to stop the comedy.

Original poster
seeker · 31/03/2013 15:49

Shame. Much more fun if it was teacher speak!

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LynetteScavo · 31/03/2013 15:47

"Determined" means determined in a good way.

"Willful" means determined in a bad way.

ThreeBeeOneGee · 31/03/2013 15:40

I think they must mean 'determined' in the positive, perseverance sense, or they wouldn't be giving out reward certificates for it.

Sparklingbrook · 31/03/2013 15:39

As the Mum of a shy, quiet DS of 13 Three, it sounds odd but I would be overjoyed to read that in his report. Blush

ThreeBeeOneGee · 31/03/2013 15:37

Smile We told him that he can let his 'personality' have free rein once he has some A-levels under his belt.

ThreeBeeOneGee · 31/03/2013 15:36

Just to clarify, we did take the clowning quite seriously, and stern words were had.

Sparklingbrook · 31/03/2013 15:36

Your DS sounds a hoot Three. Full of personality. Grin

ThreeBeeOneGee · 31/03/2013 15:35

These make me laugh. Our (Y8) parents' evening included these gems:

"I enjoy his wit but he needs to learn that there are times to rein it in" [English].

"He can be very entertaining and I enjoy his sense of humour, but at the end of the day, it's a Science practical, not the stand-up comedy circuit".

Sparklingbrook · 31/03/2013 15:24

Wouldn't it be refreshing to say 'X is a right pain in the arse' School? Grin

Schooldidi · 31/03/2013 15:23

I'm not actually sure. I tell it as it is, so if they aren't behaving the way they are supposed to then I would let you know, politely but clearly.

I do know that some of my colleagues use teacher speak though, so there obviously are some words that mean pita but aren't clear to the parents.

Sparklingbrook · 31/03/2013 14:50

Which seemingly innocuous words are not good on a report School?

Schooldidi · 31/03/2013 14:49

I only ever use determined in a good way. I use it to talk about the kids who refuse to give up even though the rest of the class could have lost interest ages before.

It would never even occur to me to look for a translation of determined, it is what it is, which is good.

tiggytape · 31/03/2013 14:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sparklingbrook · 31/03/2013 09:58

Oh yes. I think we have had 'spirited' once or twice with DS2 and we all know what that means. Sad

Original poster
seeker · 31/03/2013 09:56

I have always loved searching my children's reports for this year's way of saying "mini seeker is doing very well, but would do much better if he/she would shut up and listen for the occasional 5 minutes"!

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