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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU about the school administrator?

61 replies

frivolous · 26/07/2011 10:00

I have name changed for this as not wanting to "out" myself.

The school administrator has 2 children at school. Whenever there is a school event at which her children are taking part in (sports day, assemblies, trips) she always attends. If it's an assembly she will sit on the front row recording events- surely if she should be working, she should be in the office or doing her general duties? I feel there is nothing wrong with her sneaking in at the back and watching for a short while but getting a "prime" spot.
Also at the end of school, the 2 children sit in reception and wait for her to finish.

Is this normal? Does this happen at every school and I should just suck it up and accept it?

OP posts:
saltyair · 26/07/2011 10:20

Lesley - that was kinda my point....that people go during working hours and make arrangments...so assume the school admin is doing the same...

WriterofDreams · 26/07/2011 10:20

I think you need to get a life OP. You're saying you were just curious - why were you curious? It's none of your business. Clearly her employers know what she is doing so obviously there is no problem with it.

pictish · 26/07/2011 10:21

Christ almighty.

fivegomadindorset · 26/07/2011 10:22

If she is recording events maybe she is doing it in an official capacity. Whatever not your problem.

HampstersDontSwim · 26/07/2011 10:22

Nice.

WriterofDreams · 26/07/2011 10:23

And I had to snort at the "prime" spot comment. Perhaps the ticket touts would be able to get you a better ticket for the assembly? Somewhere in the mosh pit? Might cost you a pretty penny though, when you don't have her connections.

LIZS · 26/07/2011 10:23

If just a query why in AIBU then ?

pictish · 26/07/2011 10:27

Ha ha Writerofdreams Grin

OP - I think you can safely take from this, that yes, you ARE being unreasonable.
" If it's an assembly she will sit on the front row recording events- surely if she should be working, she should be in the office or doing her general duties? I feel there is nothing wrong with her sneaking in at the back and watching for a short while but getting a "prime" spot."

Yeah well....thems the breaks eh? Why do you give a shit?

Getalife.com

savoycabbage · 26/07/2011 10:27

The most shocking part is that her children wait for her in reception when they have finished school.

How very dare they. Children! In a school! It's an outrage.

It's not like she is a brain surgeon and her children are popping in and handing her the instruments.

I wouldn't want a child of mine at a school where the members of staff were not allowed to do any of the things that you describe. It shows that your school cares for it's staff and treats them with respect.

YABVVVVVU.

DrGruntFotter · 26/07/2011 10:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

AnansiGirl · 26/07/2011 10:32

Perhaps OP needs a job?
Channel all that critical thinking into positive pathways.

itisnearlysummer · 26/07/2011 10:35

Nice to see that teachers are being left alone in favour of vilifying other members of the school staff for a change Hmm

It's perfectly normal practice and I'd be more shocked if it wasn't happening.

OP, sometimes HT's let their teachers out for an hour/morning/afternoon to go to their own child's school to watch a similar event and the parents of that teachers class won't even know it has happened! The HT has even been known to cover the class for it to happen!

I still don't see what it is you have to accept and suck up. ridiculous!

itisnearlysummer · 26/07/2011 10:36

Oh and re the children waiting for her in reception at the end of the day.

er, so? what is the problem with that exactly?

seeker · 26/07/2011 10:38

Just imagine want would happen if this woman's child ever gets a prize for something! Or - and this is a scary thought- is chosen to be......wait fro it......MARY!!!!!!!!

Nefret · 26/07/2011 10:39

The way I see it is that she may be the school administrator but she is also a parent and is perfectly entitled to watch her children in assembly, trips, sports day etc. just as another parent does.

I guess she is also lucky that working in the school gives her a bit of an advantage but that's just the way it goes really.

As for the children witing in reception for their mum, where do you suggest they go? On the streets on their own? Or maybe they should be left in the playground?

I think you are being very unreasonable and I don't know why you are letting it get to you. You obviously just don't like the woman do you?

worraliberty · 26/07/2011 10:42

It's not like she is a brain surgeon and her children are popping in and handing her the instruments

Oh now I have an image of the school band handing her tambourines and maracas while she's trying to operate Grin

twinklypearls · 26/07/2011 10:43

I would be pleased that the schools clearly values parents

Pleb1969 · 26/07/2011 10:43

don't tell anyone, but I used to work in my DS primary school as an SNA and I got staff discount on the after school club!!!

bigpantspam · 26/07/2011 10:44

Surely this is just a perk of the job, being able to get a 'prime' spot? Like a discount as supermarket staff or a staff screening at a cinema?

Are you saying she shouldn't be able to do these things? Surely that is up to her manager and not you? Hmm

twinklypearls · 26/07/2011 10:46

I managed to watch my daughter's dance rehearsals while I sat in the hall and marked - no parents were allowed. I will await my letter from the LEA, OFTSED, David Cameron the Queen and the Pope.

DrGruntFotter · 26/07/2011 10:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

seeker · 26/07/2011 10:52

Do you think the op thinks she should stand at the back because she's
"staff"? Like in the Chalet School, when the kitchenmaids are allowed to come at the back to watch the Christmas plays?

TheMagnificentBathykolpian · 26/07/2011 10:52

Yes. It's perfectly normal.

It sounds really nice to me. A supportive, relaxed, family friendly place to work.

You're all grown ups and you're all on the same side. Don't waste your energy on silly talk of prime spots and 'sucking up' something that is totally fine and normal and actually shows that the school is a nice place.

You are an adult. This sort of sillyness is beneath you, honestly it is.

TheMagnificentBathykolpian · 26/07/2011 10:54

Oh, and that's not me 'flaming' you. Just trying to make you see how silly it is to be bothered about it and how it's actually a good thing.

You can tell a lot about how good a school is by how the staff are treated.

Kladdkaka · 26/07/2011 10:56

Is she in the PTA? :o

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