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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

No Christmas show

25 replies

Nochristmasshow · 22/11/2017 15:10

So DC (age 7) school revealed today there will be no Christmas play/show, just a special school assembly - apparently we kind see photos about it and read what happened on the school website Hmm

Apparently head teacher has his own'club' Hmm and the children in that (only a select few invited) will put on a small show for their parents.

Hmm is this weird? I'm really sad! I was looking forward to watching dc in a Christmas play!!!????

Don't most schools do something for parents to watch this time of year???

OP posts:
grimeofthecentury · 22/11/2017 15:11

Wtf is a special headteachers club??!!

Changerofname987654321 · 22/11/2017 15:14

‘Apparently’ the headteacher has his own club or the head teacher ‘does’ have his own club?

Changerofname987654321 · 22/11/2017 15:16

Don't most schools do something for parents to watch this time of year???

It is the job of School to educate your children not entertain you. The average primary school teachers works double the hours they are paid for. Cutting back on extras is probably a good thing.

lastqueenofscotland · 22/11/2017 15:17

If the head happens to run a drama club then that would be fine...

I agree with other posters they may have just not found teachers willing to do (even more) work to cover it.

FireCracker2 · 22/11/2017 15:19

Apparently head teacher has his own'club' hmm and the children in that (only a select few invited) will put on a small show for their parents

Really, 'hios own club' do you know this as fact or is it just playground gossip?
t is the job of School to educate your children not entertain you
A school production is an educational experience for the children.

womaninatightspot · 22/11/2017 15:22

In our school the play is just for p1/ nursery so you see it once or twice then never again.

MadisonAvenue · 22/11/2017 15:23

Apart from the nativity play in reception, the school which my sons went to never did a Christmas show of any kind. It's not a recent thing due to cutbacks either , the youngest was in reception in 2004. There was a church service every year with a few children doing readings but that was it.

chickenowner · 22/11/2017 15:27

Maybe the teachers got fed up of parents moaning about their children not having speaking parts or the part they wanted/having to make a costume/not being able to get enough tickets for their entire extended family etc etc.

As a pp has said, teachers work far, far more hours than they are paid to do. A Christmas or end of year production adds many more hours onto that.

IggyAce · 22/11/2017 15:29

Our school normally put on a production. Last year it was nursery & reception, years 1 & 2 and then years 3-6 so 3 different shows. From my kids chatter this year they appear to be doing a carol concert from the diary dates it appears there will be 3 separate ones.

ShatnersWig · 22/11/2017 15:31

Based on the amount of shit a lot of teachers get from parents over the fact their child didn't get any lines to speak in this year's Christmas play (I've seen umpteen threads about that this year), or their child didn't get the lead role in this year's musical, I'm amazed any teachers still do any form of school play or musical, be that primary or secondary.

The government have already taken steps to reduce music and drama in schools. Parents are going to ensure it's all gone soon if they aren't careful.

Original poster
Nochristmasshow · 22/11/2017 15:41

Headteachers own club is fact! The club is even called 'Mr X's club' not rumour - fact!

OP posts:
Original poster
Nochristmasshow · 22/11/2017 16:07

I'm really surprised people think this is ok!! I very much value drama and thought school Christmas show was part of a teachers job, not in excess of it (I do understand teachers work very hard - not teacher bashing here!!!) My friends children all do a Christmas play or some kind of concert at xmas, and parents and children live it and kids look forward to it all term! Can't help feel we are missing out here especially as a select few in the 'club' (which I still think is weird!!) will get to put on a show for their parents (DC was not offered or allowed to join the 'club')

OP posts:
Chrys2017 · 22/11/2017 16:09

Count yourself lucky. Those school plays are always dull and dreadful.

cheesydoesit · 22/11/2017 16:10

What kind of club? Is he a Mason or something??

Original poster
Nochristmasshow · 22/11/2017 16:14

Chrys2017 ..... GrinGrinGrin

Cheeseydoesit - I have no idea and I think it's weird! HT has a tough job I admit and agree, but this HT is unfortunately a bit of a narcissist so likes to b in the spotlight and will no doubt v much enjoy his own club performing to the parents! Hmm (at the expense of all the other kids in the school :( and their parents :( )

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cardibach · 22/11/2017 16:15

Called ‘Mr. X’s club’ or referred too as that? For example Mr. X runs a small drama group for interested pupils. Pupil asked what they are doing after school says ‘I’m going to Mr. X’s club’ which completely identifies it as Mr. X only runs one club. It’s acyptually called the drama club or whatever, but gets referred to as something else. These interested pupils who have been invited (or auditioned??) are doing a play. Avoids all the angst about who is doing what as only those who have shown an interest in drama all year get to do anything.
Could this be what it is? Obviously there could be s9methingnodd going on, but I doubt it would be referred to as ‘Mr. X’s club’ if that were the case...

Systemoverload99 · 22/11/2017 16:18

Most schools only do a Christmas plat in certain year groups. In my children's school it's reception and ks1. In the school I teach in nursery and reception do a singing thing, Y1 sing in their classrooms to parents and Y2 do a play. Nothing in KS2 unless the child is in choir.

If you've a problem go and ask what's going on!

How do you get a place in the club?!?

Original poster
Nochristmasshow · 22/11/2017 16:19

Mr X referred to it himself in official email sent today as Mr X's club (I don't think there is another name!) and Mr X (the HT) admits not all children were invited to apply to be part of it (largely based on year group - only year above my DC invited as far as I can tell). Of those invited, not enough places for all - so ballot.

OP posts:
ByThePowerOfRa · 22/11/2017 16:21

You could always ask the school, as pp suggested?

I think arts and languages are being cut back in some schools now due to reduced funding. Maybe it’s to do with that.

Original poster
Nochristmasshow · 22/11/2017 16:22

I honestly didn't know it was normal for schools not to do a Christmas performance of some kind, or only to offer this to some year groups. I'm quite saddened by this to be honest!! But at least I now know from you mumsnetters that it's relatively normal and common practice (I think I'll just go back to the 80s, I like it there!!)

OP posts:
ByThePowerOfRa · 22/11/2017 16:22

So, one whole year group is invited to join the club which does the show? That’s not quite the elitist group I imagined when I read your op!

DancesWithOtters · 22/11/2017 16:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Nochristmasshow · 22/11/2017 16:26

Btw - Mr X plays the piano so I am fine his special performance with those in his club will involve him playing the piano while club members sing or something. I expect he'll be dressed up as a fairy or elf or something as he's quite an exhibitionist and I expect he'll plaster photos of himself on the website and in school newsletter.

So those not allowe in the club are all invited to watch the club's Christmas show - sounds like a barrel of fun taking DC to a show he's not allowed to be part of, watching a HT I currently think resembles a quiet Donald trump!

OP posts:
Original poster
Nochristmasshow · 22/11/2017 16:27

'sure' not 'fine'

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JennyBlueWren · 22/11/2017 16:50

At our school the P1s do a nativity and the P2s do Christmas concert and that's it. It's a big school so it wouldn't be possible to have a full on Christmas show with all parents there (even if we split in half and had two shows with afternoon and evening performances). Shame as I love doing Christmas shows.

We do have lots of other "parental engagement" activities throughout the year though.

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