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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that male PE teacher should have let my DD be excused from PE for this?

31 replies

pollypentapeptide · 09/06/2009 16:47

Feel so sorry for her today, she is 13 and has what we think is cystitus (still waiting for test results to see if possible urine infection)

We kept her off yesterday as waiting for GP appoinment plus she is having to run to the loo every 30 mins - 60 mins

But in herself she doesn't feel too bad so we looked at her timetable for today and she woked out that every lesson was near a loo and all teachers were female so she felt comfortable explaining that she may need to nip out mid lesson.

But she had PE this morning out in the playing fields (a very long way away from any loos) so we wrote her a note to her (female) PE teacher asking if she could be excluded.

Turns up today, male teacher is standing in and refuses to excuse her as he doesn't think it is a 'good enough' excuse so she was forced to do PE in quite a lot of pain (she was too embarrassed to ask him to go )

I am bloody cross actually

OP posts:
MichKit · 09/06/2009 16:48

No YANBU... cystitis is horrible and the teacher really should have been more understanding. YOur poor DD :-(

Original poster
pollypentapeptide · 09/06/2009 16:50

We wrote a note and left our telephone number incase of any queries, he could of at least called us first!!!!

OP posts:
fucksticks · 09/06/2009 16:50

I'd be fuming!
I'd speak to the head teacher and let him/her know that you are not happy and that in future if your DD is borderline well enough to go to school then she will definitely not be attending if your written requests to sit out of PE are dismissed.

jeminthecity · 09/06/2009 16:51

I'd complain, really. It's not on, what a nob, your poor DD, cystitis is horrible

jeminthecity · 09/06/2009 16:52

fucksticks put it better though...!

Original poster
pollypentapeptide · 09/06/2009 16:52

Could I also tell her that fucksticks said so!

OP posts:
Morloth · 09/06/2009 16:52

Oh poor baby, cystitis is no fun at all.

I do think you need to say something to whoever the contact is at the school - maybe they could just have a word with him about stuff like this?

MatNanPlus · 09/06/2009 16:53

Complain to the head.

TsarChasm · 09/06/2009 16:54

Yanbu.

I would be seriously annoyed that having written a note the PE teacher has over-ridden your wishes wrt dd's health.

Do teachers have the authority to do that since you sent her in with a note? I would be up at the school asking that question in this situation.

Your poor dd. Having suffered badly (although not at such a young age) with cystitis many times, I know only too well how utterly awful it can make you feel. I do hope she feels much better soon.

MachuPicchu · 09/06/2009 16:56

Oh the poor thing - cystitis is miserable. And I could imagine the PE teacher justifiying himself by saying 'well she obviously wasn't that bad because she didn't have to go to the loo the whole lesson' - never mind the fact that she must have been in pain. Definitely complain.

2shoes · 09/06/2009 17:01

I would be so angry he would have to emigrate

Original poster
pollypentapeptide · 09/06/2009 17:06

Trying to compose a letter to the PE teacher along the lines of 'how would you like it if you felt as if you were peeing out neat bleach every half an hour........'

OP posts:
Original poster
pollypentapeptide · 09/06/2009 17:08

Hmmmm, also wondering if a description of a 'burning fanjo' would be too baffling (unless his wife is a mumsnetter)

OP posts:
NormaSknockers · 09/06/2009 17:09

YANBU

I'd be fuming too, poor DD Definately complain to the head!

littleducks · 09/06/2009 17:14

well im a bolshy madam but i wouldnt have written a note 'asking' but would have written a note informing teacher that she wouldnt be taking part and let dd know that i would back her in insiting teacher phoned me

saintmaybe · 09/06/2009 17:38

You need to rest with cystitis and go to the loo as soon as you need to, or you risk kidney infections.
Your poor dd.

HerBeatitudeLittleBella · 09/06/2009 17:40

Well waht a strange teacher.

Is it normal for teachers to override parents on health issues?

BennyAndJoon · 09/06/2009 17:49

Poor DD

The school really should respect your wishes and your assessment of her ability to participate.

Unless he is medically qualified, what grounds does he think he has for over-ruling you?

YANBU

Do complain to the school. Write a letter to the head

FabulousBakerGirl · 09/06/2009 17:53

This is unacceptable.

My DD was excused PE yesterday - I didn't ask for this - as she had fallen down the stairs and hurt her neck. Partly I was worried that DD would be disappointed to miss out but she seemed happy enough doing some writing and I was pleased the teachers used their common sense (for once.)

pointydog · 09/06/2009 18:01

did the PE teacher see the note? If so, I don't know what he was playing at.

AT dd1's school, she needs to carry a signed note with her to every class if there is a reason she cannot take part.

pinkstarfish · 09/06/2009 18:04

YANBU, what a pig I really feel for your DD I hope she's ok. I would also complain to the head, surely the parents wishes in a letter should stand higher than what the teachers think? If not, it bloody should! No one knows a child better than his/her mother

blinder · 09/06/2009 18:24

absolutely unacceptable. complain about it and insist on knowing what steps are being taken against the teacher.

it was not his place to over-ride your decision about what your daughter was fit to do. he has failed in his responsibility to your child and yourself. I would be fuming.

FabulousBakerGirl · 09/06/2009 18:24

But that isn't how some teachers feel.

CurryMaid · 09/06/2009 18:26

This brings back memories of when my Mum wrote a letter excusing me from PE in the middle of winter when I'd had a cold and was suffering very badly from asthma.

The teacher read the note out loud in front of the class then went on to say how pathetic I was considering how many top-level athletes compete despite their asthma.

I was about 15 at the time and it was the very first time I'd ever not done PE but I really was extremely unwell and only there because my GCSEs were imminent

CurryMaid · 09/06/2009 18:27

Oh, and YANBU!

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