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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to message the teacher re Christmas play cancellation

214 replies

Rascalsandradishes · 06/12/2022 18:52

DS(10) in y6 came home very upset today saying that class performance has been cancelled. It is tomorrow morning.

Teacher messaged in the class app approximately half an hour after school ended to say the play hasn't really been cancelled but wanted to use this as a stimulus for them to write a persuasive letter to get the head to change his mind. Teacher requested parents play along and help them form some arguments.

DS was really quite upset that his last show of primary school was 'cancelled'.

I couldn't play along, it just felt cruel and I don't lie to my DC. I had to tell him it wasn't real and that this was the base of a homework task.

AIBU to message the class teacher to say I've not played along and tell her how upset DS was? I can't imagine being the only parent feeling this way.

OP posts:
DenholmElliot11 · 06/12/2022 18:54

youve lost me

Hoppinggreen · 06/12/2022 18:55

I would totally tell my child
Bloody stupid idea

Flurbegurb · 06/12/2022 18:55

That's really inappropriate and shitty of the teacher.

OchonAgusOchonOh · 06/12/2022 18:55

I would not only message to say you have not played along but I would also tell the teacher that they were being unnecessarily cruel to the children and ask why she felt it was acceptable

pinksquash13 · 06/12/2022 18:56

Sounds like a stupid idea from the teacher. I'd message what you said.

TeenDivided · 06/12/2022 18:57

That was misjudged by the teacher. Are they relatively inexperienced?

I would imagine they'll get 20 messages, so say it kindly, they'll feel awful when they realise.

forrestgreen · 06/12/2022 18:57

I get him to write a letter to the teacher persuading her to not use that homework again as it's cruel

MajorCarolDanvers · 06/12/2022 18:57

I wouldn't play along and would tell the teacher why

Teacher has totally overthought this one.

Pearls1234 · 06/12/2022 18:58

YANBU, and I’d be telling her exactly why I wasn’t playing along. What a clown.

Catatemysandwich · 06/12/2022 18:58

Reminds me of the year in infants my DD's class decorated the classroom then a 'grinch' came and tore it all down - it was meant to be a detective task to work out who did it, alongside English text of The Grinch. Most of the children were in tears/devastated! I don't think they did it the next year... I agree, tell your son and mention to teacher

been and done it. · 06/12/2022 18:59

DenholmElliot11 · 06/12/2022 18:54

youve lost me

How?

Stressedmum2017 · 06/12/2022 19:00

What a bizarre thing for the teacher to do. And the head is behind this as well? That's worrying... They'd both be getting an email.

Fleur405 · 06/12/2022 19:01

Yeah…. Teacher didn’t really think that one through. I’d do the same.

PenOrPencil · 06/12/2022 19:03

forrestgreen · 06/12/2022 18:57

I get him to write a letter to the teacher persuading her to not use that homework again as it's cruel

This

Hoppinggreen · 06/12/2022 19:04

TeenDivided · 06/12/2022 18:57

That was misjudged by the teacher. Are they relatively inexperienced?

I would imagine they'll get 20 messages, so say it kindly, they'll feel awful when they realise.

Yes, be nice they will probably end up feeling awful (they should)

OliviaFlaversham · 06/12/2022 19:06

I agree it sounds misjudged. I’d tell my child and let the teacher know that I had.

Crazycatlady83 · 06/12/2022 19:07

Blimey, what a cruel thing to do. Especially with everything that has had to be cancelled in the last 2 years, these are children that really have been through the mill on missing out on things etc!

BatshitBanshee · 06/12/2022 19:07

So after the kids have worked hard on their school play... Their teacher tells them it's cancelled the day before and to persuade the principal to uncancel it?

Yeah I wouldn't play along. I'd have the head on the phone this evening or the morning at the very latest to see if they also are going along with this and ask them the thought process.

The teacher would get an email with a polite version of what the fuck do you think you're doing and DS wouldn't be doing the homework. We don't do lies in my house.

Winter2020 · 06/12/2022 19:11

I think it's quite likely to cause confusion about whether the play is cancelled as well and result in parents not turning up to watch. What a palava.

2bazookas · 06/12/2022 19:11

Encouraging childen to lie to and deceive respected adults to get their own way? I'd be furious.

I'd also forward the teachers email to the HT.

napody · 06/12/2022 19:25

Crazycatlady83 · 06/12/2022 19:07

Blimey, what a cruel thing to do. Especially with everything that has had to be cancelled in the last 2 years, these are children that really have been through the mill on missing out on things etc!

That's it. Really poorly judged.

CarefreeMe · 06/12/2022 19:25

I doubt the teacher would have told them it’s cancelled, as they know the head isn’t going to have time to read it before the performance is due to start.

It’s more likely the scenario was if it was cancelled then write a letter to the head - not actually write a letter to the head, and your DC got the wrong end of the stick.

Sounds like quite a few got it wrong which is why the teacher had to confirm it was still going ahead.

Flurbegurb · 06/12/2022 19:27

CarefreeMe · 06/12/2022 19:25

I doubt the teacher would have told them it’s cancelled, as they know the head isn’t going to have time to read it before the performance is due to start.

It’s more likely the scenario was if it was cancelled then write a letter to the head - not actually write a letter to the head, and your DC got the wrong end of the stick.

Sounds like quite a few got it wrong which is why the teacher had to confirm it was still going ahead.

Did you read the OP carefully?

Bigbadfish · 06/12/2022 19:27

CarefreeMe · 06/12/2022 19:25

I doubt the teacher would have told them it’s cancelled, as they know the head isn’t going to have time to read it before the performance is due to start.

It’s more likely the scenario was if it was cancelled then write a letter to the head - not actually write a letter to the head, and your DC got the wrong end of the stick.

Sounds like quite a few got it wrong which is why the teacher had to confirm it was still going ahead.

No, the teacher is being a moron. OP specially said that the teacher has asked parents to assist and play along in being cruel to 10 year olds.

vipersnest1 · 06/12/2022 19:27

I wouldn't message the teacher.
I'd take it straight to the Head.
That's appalling.

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