to take my DD out of end of the year production in Y6???

[katmat3]

Please tell me because lately I am not thinking with clear head.
My DD is not chosen again for any part ( except singing and dancing with few other kids) . It's not the first time and maybe my pregnancy hormones are working but it's something that is happening all the time. I am aware as other few parents are that headmistress has certain kids that she always puts up as a frontrunners for everything ..But for everything all the time??? Really???I am talking about last 3 years.
Same kids,same main parts.I am gutted for my DD. I am not bragging but she is really good ,confident,very committed to her work or any given task but she just has bad luck.
This production is for Y6 mainly and she actually doesn't have any part.I signed the letter for her to give tomorrow that she will not participate (only one probably) but I can't let her always be in the corner while the SAME kids are always doing the parts...
AIBU???Please.
If I missed anything I will add....

Coumarin. The message here is OP has not seen the show rehearsal but is complaining her dd does not have a good part. The lead "named" parts do not necessarily mean the best parts.

Well op, as I said before, to you your dd is the best, but in comparison to the other students maybe she wasn't. It doesn't matter if it's the same group of children, maybe that's the best group out of the lot! I don't see why those children deserving of it should give up their parts to accommodate everyone else just to be equal. How is it fair to those children?
Anyway it's something for you to ponder over, because seems like your dd is dealing with it better.

This happens all the time to my dd you are just going tohjave to accept that other kids are going to get chosen over yours my own dd decided not to take part this years as she is fed up of being over looked you cant take your dd out because you dont think its fair though

In this years show*

Moldingsunbeams I agree. Life is not fair! But life is what you make it. OP what two roles do the children have in The Lion King?

I agree with you Welshbird

I think...

There are many children who don't want main parts- it must be hard if your parent wants you centre stage. Are you sure she really wants it and it isn't just you?
A parent's job is to help the child deal with disappointments - not throw their toys out of the pram!

:) Coumarin! I guess it is all about perception. DD auditioned for Grease. I asked if she went for Sandie. She looked at me like I had two heads! It appears that Rizzo is the better part. Thinking about it I guess that is probably true.....

Of course it seems it isnt fair there is populor children in schools who teachers pick to do things sometimes it is because they are confident somtimesthe teachers know they will takeinstructio better occasionally it is jusy because they stand out to them it is not a great feeling tbh when our children are treated lke this but it will always be the case sadly that kids are over lookec it secretly riles me sometimesI

I suspect you are not being unreasonable OP!

Why are the same kids chosen year on year, twas always thus when mine were in primary. I'm not saying mine would have been happy to take centre stage but there must have been other capable kids who would have liked to have been given a chance.

It used to annoy me too, I used to think the teacher organising wanted an easy life by choosing the same kid/kids.

If any teachers are reading this and getting cheesed off, please give me your other reasons why the same kids were always chosen!

Of course it seems it isnt fair there is populor children in schools who teachers pick to do things sometimes it is because they are confident somtimesthe teachers know they will takeinstructio better occasionally it is jusy because they stand out to them it is not a great feeling tbh when our children are treated lke this but it will always be the case sadly that kids are over lookec it secretly riles me sometimesI

There's definitely favouritism going on with some teachers - had the same thing when DS at primary - 2 years in a row the same leads. These two kids weren't even that good - very wooden, flat sounding but ultimately reliable. There were plenty of others that could have done as good a job or a better job yet these two were seen to be from a good family, no doubt the parents made good donations to the school (from what I hear) in various ways yet the two weren't that likeable. I can't put my finger on why not, a bit up themselves.

Maybe it was laziness on the part of teachers - go with what we know - but it was noted by parents and eyebrows were raised. Not professional. I completely understand where you're coming from katmat, if others had got the roles then fine but the same ones 3 years in a row! that is favouritism sorry as there are usually a number that could fulfil the role or who would want to give it a go etc. Maybe a quiet one could be included to stretch him/her with a bit of encouragement and if they were up for it. I think your upset stems from how blatant it is, how unfair (when you assume your child will be treated fairly in school of all places), and also in my view how some teachers assume their word is law and they'll never be questioned over these things. And yes most parents won't because we know what'll happen then. I think secondary will be fairer including auditions.

My dd realised this year it was the kids from the music department who got good parts she decided she wasnt going to do it this year as auditions seemed pointless as the parts seemed to have gone to the singers anyway I think she had a bit of a diva strop about it

People are going on about the OP's daughter represented the school at something academically - completely different. You choose the best for academic competitions and sports. School plays are different - it's not the West End as someone said, it's a chance to get all involved including the quiet ones. What kid can particularly "act" at that age anyway? We're not talking about Oscar quality we're talking about clear, strong voice, unflappable, confident - there are usually a few that would fit that criteria or with encouragement could.

Welshblackbird - the OP isn't saying her DD should have a good part (or a lead part) at all. She's saying that the same kids are getting the main parts year after year and in the last year of primary it would have been nice to be more inclusive of all of them (granted I'm sure that's hard). I'm sure if others had got the main parts rather than the same ones she might still be upset but not as upset. It's the blatant favouritism that's upsetting her.

maybe the same kids have got the parts because they have shown themselves to be the one who
a) behave themselves
b) speak up loudly and confidently
c) learn their lines reliably
d) attend school/rehearsals reliably

teachers don't give kids parts just because they like them, they will have reasons for doing so.

there is no point giving a big speaking part to a child who finds being in the spotlight difficult or who is likely to be off on the day or who won't learn lines etc etc

In my experience gymboy there were a number of kids that could fulfil your criteria a-d. I actually find it more pleasant to watch kids who haven't been to stage school or similar up on the stage, more natural.

molding, I can only talk in my experience, as have other people, and it's noticeable that some kids don't get the chance to shine at anything. They're not good at sports, not particularly academic and don't get chosen for a part in the school play either. As one poster said these are the ones that fly under the radar.

I'm all for allowing someone to shine - but year after year they shouldn't get the main parts, which is what the OP is posting about. Also, this happened in my experience when there were other kids that could have done just as good a job but didn't get a chance as the same kids were chosen time and again. Others have mentioned it happening at their schools. Some think their schools are fairer so it is possible. I'd suggest to teachers at the start don't choose the same kids 2 years in a row. No one is particularly bothered about the level of acting, they just want to see fairness and inclusion. As the OP said it's her last year to be included and she's not.

There has to be a way to make this fairer in my view. And yes that might mean a lot of work on a play to include more speaking parts etc but once that's done the plays can be recycled, even between schools.

Oh lordy! My last child is leaving primary school this year. Over the years none of them have been anything major in any performances (apart from my youngest who go to pick his nose on stage in the role of Joseph in Reception!) And none of them shone in any other way either apart from being nice kids that all the teachers liked. Be pleased and proud that your DD is a star in other ways.

As for unfairness? It probably is but in the final analysis it really doesn't matter. There will be many more chances to shine in secondary school.

Please don't take her out, for her sake.

But there are some kids who will never shine academically or on the sports field and singing or acting is their 'thing'. Why should they not be allowed a good part every year if they are especially talented and don't get an opportunity to shine at anything else?

Oh...actually. DS2 does have a part in the Leavers performance. He is going to be one of 4 drunkards in a bar Nothing like leaving on a high note....