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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think that a class assembly should involve the whole class?

42 replies

Longstocking2 · 01/03/2011 00:13

not just a coterie of kids who do most of the performing while the rest sit and watch.

ds has for a second time nothing to do in the class assembly and is really fed up.

Shouldn't a class assembly make an attempt to really include the whole class in performing it? Previous years have been far more equitable and shared out in terms of lime light.

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TotemPole · 01/03/2011 10:38

Actually I think we've been spoilt as the ethos of the previous year's assemblies has always been about class pride, unity and inclusiveness not star turns at all. That's become my expectation.

I thought that was the idea too.

Presenting something as a whole class to the parents and rest of the school. Working together as a team.

Original poster

Longstocking2 · 01/03/2011 11:59

btw, this is a state primary and not a fancy one by any means, just your basic one with all the problems that entails.

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Onetoomanycornettos · 01/03/2011 12:13

Usually at my daughters' school, there's at least one or two action songs or poems read by the whole class together, so that everyone can join in, followed by some more individual stuff which seems to be rotated. But usually everyone gets a line. I think their class assemblies have been great for increasing confidence and getting everyone to say something, so whilst I wouldn't be storming up there, I think it's a missed opportunity if it focuses on a few.

Original poster

Longstocking2 · 01/03/2011 12:18

i agree, I think the only way to go is to ask her advice about what I might do about disappointed ds is then see what she says. He can only lose by my getting her back up.

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emsy41 · 01/03/2011 12:39

Can i ask you to think about the poor nqt. I understand you being upset, have been through something similar myself, but talking to parent governers heads or other teachers seems really mean to me. Talk to her, invite her to see error of her ways and just think that they will probalby have to do some other form of assembly before end of year and she could then organise the next one a lot better. Being an nqt is really hard and quite frightening as you are really aware that you are dealing with humans and a mistake could have a detremental effect on others. Please give her a chance tio put it right.

Original poster

Longstocking2 · 01/03/2011 13:47

I agree emsy, see my last post. I think few of us are rational when we see our kids being demoralised but it makes total sense to give her the benefit of the doubt. I am however really upset about it and fed up.

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saffy85 · 01/03/2011 15:05

YANBU when I was at school everyone got a turn in the class assembly. Sure some got more "time" than others (I was quite shy so usually only got a couple of lines/hold something up etc) but everyone did something unless they were being difficult and wouldn't cooperate.

If this is the second time your DS has been given nothing I'd query it especially as he wants to take part. That should be encouraged surely.

Original poster

Longstocking2 · 01/03/2011 17:30

Went to see her for a very informal chat, just mentioned ds had said we shouldn't bother coming and she was actually quite 'whatever' about it. She said there isn't time for them all to take part. All the sections have been chosen by class vote (i.e popularity/beauty contest imo) and that's that. And she said there IS another assembly and that not all the sections have yet finally been chosen .

I just emphasised that he's really demoralised about it and she looked slightly 'well that's tough'. She has often had that attitude.

Great. But I think they have very poor leadership so I guess it's not just about her but I'm still disappointed in her. She's so lacking in empathy or compassion. I don't want anything but an inclusive thing which reflects the whole class. Seems reasonable to me. Any way I'm really disappointed and not sure what to do about it yet.

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strawberrycake · 01/03/2011 17:39

I'm a teacher and I can churn out a script for an assembly with 30 parts in minutes, with a few spare lines for anyone who behaves really well. I personally work on the belief that the content/ script doesn't matter much as everyone is there only to see their child and watch a nice song at the end. I therefore put little effort in! I have trained numerous children who have arrived in the country sometimes only weeks before to say something like 'let us pray' or 'thank you for coming' on the cue of a classmate's gentle prod. It's not a drama performance/ entertainment, it's a way of teaching children to speak confidently in public and possibly act too if they are capable and/or show willing. You get a learning experience for the children, not an impressive show from my class. If the kids are happy at the end and everyone could be heard it was good. If any need extension work they can write some or all of the script for me.

Queenofchaos · 01/03/2011 17:57

YANBU

This is very sad for your DS and the other children who have yet again been left out.
I think some teachers lose perspective and are so focused on "their" assembly being perfect that they only ever include children they think are reliable and will make them look good.
I am quite shocked by her lack of interest in your concerns.

Catnao · 01/03/2011 18:16

Did she understand that you are not asking for a SPEAKING part - just a PART AT ALL, so he feels included?

Original poster

Longstocking2 · 01/03/2011 22:26

I think she is really bent on 'the best', 'only the best', 'only the best', like she's in a competition and it's all about her.

The problem is the message that my ds has got so far is that he is unpopular and his work is rubbish! It's not that he's being precious he just wants to take part. By making it an voting thing, the children who do nothing are presented on the stage as lemons (in my ds's point of view) he says she won't even let them sing one whole song together.

There is an element yet to be decided on tomorrow, by some mysterious popularity vote or excellence audit by Herself so he may still get a shot but I would rather strawberrycake was his teacher and he could just feel part of it. Just to sing a song or something! I just think the assembly should unify not divide and make all the children proud to be in their class not ashamed to stand up in front of loved ones.
Thanks Strawberrycake and big hug to you, I love that teachers like you exist and do so much good.

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Original poster

Longstocking2 · 01/03/2011 22:29

sorry catnao Yes I think she knows he just wants to be involved.
But she seems bent on this election process. Weird.

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Merrylegs · 01/03/2011 22:29

As she seems so results driven, ask her what her learning outcomes are for the class assembly. Would be interested in her explanation.

Original poster

Longstocking2 · 01/03/2011 23:03

Thanks merry, I'm going to wait to see what happens tomorrow. It may be that ds gets enough votes to take part but I'm still not happy about the kids who can't take part at all, whether he's one of them or not. It seems such an odd message to send to the children.

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Catnao · 02/03/2011 00:39

Good luck with it - hope your son ends up feeling much better about it all.

PepsiPopcorn · 02/03/2011 00:54

YANBU. The school and teachers are there to educate and provide opportunities for all the pupils.

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