To wonder why so many teachers take the school Christmas concert so seriously?

[GlitteryRollers]

I'm doing supply at the moment in a school that is taking its Christmas concert so seriously you'd swear they are putting a show in the West End.
Today the head teacher, whom I've already got pegged as a bit of a narcissist, ranted and raved at the whole school during a run through because of the way the way they were getting fidgety (they'd been standing for well over an hour at this point), they didn't have their hands by their sides and they weren't looking happy enough.

It's just seems a bit much really. I've sat through a couple of run throughs already and its completle dirge, which is not the kids fault because they didn't write it. The parents just want to see their kids singing on the stage. They won't care who's not standing on straight, or who's fidgeting, or smiling. They will be focussing on their own DC's.

The difference between this school and the one I was in last xmas is insane. They were much more laid back last year, and as a result it was a better show. I can't help but thinking its all about the teachers and their egos more than anything else. I'm right arent I?

[lordStrange]

Oh god I agree OP. I have just returned from DD's Nativity and it was quite a shambles , mainly due to the music being miscued by the teacher which had 60 kids launching into different songs at the wrong time then giggling to themselves at all the confusion.

However, they had learnt their lines, knew the songs and actions and seemed to enjoy themselves (apart from DD who hates performances). All good to me.

[UnderTheGreenwoodTree]

I totally agree OP!

Nativity should be something the dc enjoy doing, have fun, and is fun for the parents to watch - all most of them want is to see them in a cute costume singing a few songs.

DS2 was sent to headmistresses office, and I was called into the school because he 'couldn't sit still' - he was 5 FFS.

He was expected to sit with five other dc in front of the stage, dressed as a sheep - and do nothing. Nothing at all. And they wondered why he was bored. I didn't expect him to be Joseph - but let's at least have all the children on the stage, eh? Arseholes.

[GlitteryRollers]

Cardibach but no one is paying for this show. It's in the school hall ffs. Just a group of children singing carols with a few reading parts in between.

MrsDeVere this head also thinks he's an impresario and also seems to get easily irritated by the younger ones. I wonder if it's the same person?

[CreepingDogFart]

I guess the OP has never been in the head's office being called a "fucking cunt" because the children were "not rehearsed enough" and "you have made me look like a twat". God forbid they do any learning at Christmas. No? Well that's one explanation for you OP. Being bullied by management.

[Tamponlady]

Oh god lol ds in year 11 was telling me about the year 7 performance of Oliver he was forced to watch today he said and I quote


I felt like jumping on stage and Storting the show out myself it was a shambles

He said nacy forgot her words then, fagen and the boy playing bill Sykes dog started arguing

[BackforGood]

Might make a difference to my opinion once we know how old the dc are.

Are they 4 yrs olds or 15 yr olds ? Makes a considerable difference.

[SuffolkNWhat]

Sounds like my old school. Oh boy the Christmas Service (never a concert you understand, concerts are vulgar) was so micromanaged to the nth degree it sucked all joy out of the occasion.

Today (at my new school) I sat through the most wonderful run through of the KS1 Nativity. Every child involved regardless of need, yes it has moments that went wrong but that's what makes it so magical. My (UKS2) class loved it and were buzzing about how well "the little ones" had done when we got back to the classroom. Utterly different atmosphere from my old (supposedly C of E) school.

[cardibach]

winterswan it's utterly horrible to imply you are superior to the OP because she's on supply I implied no such thing! I asked if she'd had a permanent contract because it's different - as a PP has said, it lays you open to pressure and bullying about these sort of things! And I didn't mean it to be unpleasant, how dare you suggest you know my motives? I admit it was a little snippy simply because the OP seems to feel she is superior to the other teachers at the school she is doing some work in.

[CreepingDogFart]

Myself and eleven other members of staff went through a very drawn-out grievance procedure backed by three unions. We didn't win. The odds are stacked against you if you whistleblow. And yes managers do call people names.

[CreepingDogFart]

Oh and I'm now somewhere else which is much more supportive with a lovely lovely boss whilst the staff turnover at my previous place of work is still very high.

[cardibach]

Incidentally, winterswan - what makes you think they are four? No age is given in the OP and I can't see another reference to age except from other posters.

[GlitteryRollers]

It's a primary school. A state one. Not that it should matter really, but I think sometimes they like to think they are private.

[cardibach]

Still doesn't tell us the age of the 'offending' fidgeters, though.

[BackforGood]

Again, they could still be 10 or 11 yrs old - why is it you don't want to tell us OP.
surely you can see there is a VAST difference.

[SuburbanRhonda]

What I meant was describing a head teacher, even on an anonymous forum, as a "cunt" (based on one post) and another one as a "fucking pretentious prick".

Maybe that is just standard language amongst primary school staff when talking about other teachers and it's me who's out of synch.

[Blu]

The problem in this case, Op, is not taking the concert 'so seriously ' but not having the right skills to manage it well.

I think schools should take plays, musicals and concerts extremely seriously . Seriously enough to put time in, employ or develop the skills and techniques to facilitate young people to gain confidence and 'ownership' over their work rather than just drilling them endlessly on delivering scripts, specialist musical
and theatre professionals.

We had no idea what a talented musician DC is until leaving primary for a school that takes the arts really seriously. Seriously enough to invest in, so that a huge proportion of students engage in incredibly high quality music, dance and theatre.

[VodkaLimeSodaIce]

Just watched ds in his nativity, he was a King and in his words to baby Jesus "I bring you Frankenstein" 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
It made the nativity, along with the shepherds playing peekaboo behind their tea towel headdresses, and the Angel Gabriel announcing loudly " Miss I need a weeeeeeeeee!"
Will remember that one for his 18th birthday I think!!!

[Gileswithachainsaw]

Sounds perfect vodka 😂

[CreepingDogFart]

Blu secondary schools are judged on their drama. Primaries are not. So "not having the right skills" isn't really a fair judgement. Until you have worked in a school you have no idea how little ownership school staff have over what takes place.

[CreepingDogFart]

vodka DS sounds adorable.

[YouTheCat]

The best nativity I've seen in 20 years was the one at our school where a year 2 autistic girl was given the part of an angel. She didn't have much speech but she could sing the songs and dance and dance she did, through the whole play. She was absolutely brilliant. She got a standing ovation and thoroughly enjoyed herself.

What's the betting that a child like her wouldn't have a place in a nativity in the school in the OP?

Our school is inclusive. The parents always enjoy the show more if the children are having fun too. And we have a gold arts mark or we did if it's still going .

[VodkaLimeSodaIce]

Bless poor ds, didn't realise what he'd said, and was really confused as to why everyone was wetting themselves laughing! 😂😂😬😬
Didnt have the heart to explain, he was so chuffed that he remembered the words!! 😂😂😇😇😇😇😇

[BlackeyedSusan]

happy medioum. parents like it nice, and not too crap but putting the children under too much stress is not on. some parents will complain whatever they do though.