to expect DS's school not to blatantly brown nose "celebrity" parents at Xmas Concert?

[charlieandlola]

DS is in a mixed independent school, and two of his class mates have "famous" dads. One is a current premiership footballer, the other is a retired ex international rugby player. There are 10 girls and 8 boys in DS's class. In DS's nativity play, the daughters of two said "celebs" were playing Mary, and the Chief Star. Chief Star was sitting up on a raised platform, with all the other girls sitting at her feet, Mary was naturally in the middle, with all shepherds, wise men etc sitting around her( naturally, in a nativity). They are playing their roles for the nativity plays for nursery, 2 x reception classes and 2 x year 1 classes, so no other girls get to be Mary or the Star.
After play the parents have a singing competition, ladies v gents etc with a prize given to the best lady or man in the audience Guess who was awarded the prizes? Mr Ex Rugby Player, and Mrs Premiership Footballer. What a surprise. I have come away feeling most and about it the school seemingly falling over itself to pay homage to its "celebrity" parents. The cult of "celebrity" gets on my nerves.

Why are people so bothered about what part their child plays in the nativity? I find it hilarious that people get so hot under the collar about it when there are so many other things to get worked up about.

Well I am still upset that I only ever got the part of the sheep as a child, and never ever Mary.

psychologically scarred not

PTA get preferential treatment at dd's school too.

I'm not bothered about dd's part but I am bothered in the way the choices are made.

First, how do you know that the PTA get preferential treatment?

And second, why not join the PTA yourself? If your is anything like ours, it consists of the same 6 people doing practically everything!

I was pondering this the other day when at the PTA meeting, and it occurred to me how many of the committee-members had children who were academic / sporting / musical stars. Perhaps there is a connection between involved parents and successful children? (although not sure which is the chicken and which is the egg)

Its not broadway - just a kids nativity - chill out...watch your own kid and not everyone elses.

Teehee at the sheep.
DD is an angel and practices every night gliding around.
Can't wait until the performance.

LOL at this thread.

You only need wait for the end of year exams for your son to get his own back on the premiership footballer's daughter.
PS Names, please?

I had the star part in my Christmas play when I was 5 - as the EMperor in the Emperor's new clothes.

I had to be wheeled on to the stage (wearing knickers only) on a hostess trolley.

I never wanted to be the star again, and was, very happily, third sheep ever after.

I would love to think the DD is the narrator in reception nativity cos she is good reader but I suspect she has a big and loud gob and they know she will reach every part of the hall. DS had to stand in as a wise man today (usually a shepherd) and he got in trouble for opening baby jesus's presents. What the hell am I going to do with all this frankencense?. (sp)

Spot on Seeker !

Schools usually go the other way so it doesn't look like favouritism. My daughter had the grand daughter of a duke in her class once and at the Christmas play I don't remember the little girl Lady whatshername having a special role. Mind you sports players are a bit naff anyway, not quite what one might want in a class even. Lower the tone etc.

At my daughter's pre-school, a lot of the roles were allocated by virtue of their height and what costumes school has accumulated over the years. DD nearly reached the dizzie heights of the donkey as she is tall but got pipped to the post and is now a cow. We told her how important the cow was to the baby Jesus and how special the part is and she is proud as punch!!!

I wouldn't get too hung up about the Nativity play. I WOULD however be dubious about the values of this school. Presumably the Premier footballer et al think they're buying into something 'better' and therefore the school feels duty bound to suck up to such parents..... a damn good reason for sending them to the local state primary I'd say!!

well look at it this way, it's a good life lesson for the little kidders

That's what I want to know!
Names?!

Maybe these parents have funded the Mrs Joyful Prize for Rafia Work and so teh school has to sook in.

chiz chiz

Pinetreedog - but can they pla Fairy Bells on skool piano which go twang tinkle plonk like that wet and weed Fotherington-Thomas?

We have couple of celebrity children in my sons school. One is very famous, and has been helping the school for years prior to child starting.
My son goes to a voluntary aided Catholic Faith school (not independent/private or whatever it is called), and this celebrity, lives nearby, and has been called upon for publicity on numerous occasions, and happily does that. However, I dont think the child has been singled out particularly, has only once as far as I can see from school newsletter been Child of hte week in her class, the only thing different is that said child is not allowed photographed.

It is very sad if the children in question has been given their roles because they simply were the best for it, and people are looking down on them. After all, they are just children.

seeker