School magazine / favouritism

[MrsBruar]

Every week DC,'s school sends out an e-zine - class teachers submit photos either of children working or individual pieces of work - cut photos etc. DC is only ever in it if they're in the background of a picture or it's the whole class, the few times I've actually been able to see what they're doing and it's specific picture showing them working it's because they are working in the group with the favorites, their work has never, not once been featured and we're almost at the end of the academic year.

And it's the same 7/8 kids featured every time both in terms of individual pieces of work and pictures of work being done. It's so obvious.

why do teachers do this, mentioned to X DH who even said yes he'd noticed and hasn't read it since before Feb half term.

I want to point out that I don't expect this and frankly think it's a collosal waste of time but especially if it's only ever relevant to 30% of parents.

Also until we had a soft start at end of Feb I thought maybe their stuff's a bit shit, we have to be realistic as parents don't we, but seeing things up the classroom and hall they've done some lovely stuff, as have the other poor kids hardly ever featured.

If it's the same 7-8 then I'd hazard a guess that they work typically in a group, either with the class teacher or a specific TA who tend to take photos and submit them.

That's what often used to happen in my dc's forms. One person tended to take the camera eg for trips so it was the same children in a lot of the photos.

@MargaretThursday mmmm it's definitely the teacher who takes the photos not the TA, could explain things but doesn't explain the pictures of individual pieces of work again it's the same 7/8 kids, written work, craft project, artwork etc. a few are almost religiously featured in terms of samples of work and I honestly have a better idea of their skill set, writing style and what they've been up to this year than I do my own child's!

It’s mainly the same with my kids. I sometimes spot an elbow I recognise but that’s it 🤣 I think it tends to be the kids who are more up for being photographed and therefore most likely to look like they’re enjoying whatever the event is on pics that get featured.

Why not mention it to the teacher? Just say that you've noticed it's the same children featured all the time and you think it should be more inclusive.

Rather than going direct to the teacher in this instance, I think I'd probably email the Head, and mention your concerns, as I think a lot of kids quite like to be featured in these things, or have their work shown, as it gives them a sense of pride. In your shoes, I would definitely do it OP, and would also mention that your ex has noticed it too, as otherwise they may think you're a pushy parent, wanting your child to always be featured, but if you have both noticed, then it's obvious that this is a reoccurring theme.