Anybody wise awake yet please?

[robinpud]

We are in Sydney for a year with our two kids who are at the local school. We have been here 1 term. I am not wildly impressed with the school for a number of reasons and have just had the most upsetting incident.

Ds told me as he came out of school that of his 3 lunch items 1 was knocked out of his hand and so ruined and another child at the other break shook his hand so that all his popcorn spilt over the verandah. I could see it there. 1 incident would have been tolerable but i felt the need to talk to the teacher and see if she was aware. The teacher was talking to another oolleague as we apprached. we waited and then I starte dto mention the popcorn; the teacher's colleague interrupted me and said" HEy you know we dealt with that at eating time, you don't need to disturb Mrs S with that." I was so horrified that anyone would be so short that I just said "I beg your pardon" and walked away with I hate to say it .. tears in my eyes.
Ds couldn't understand why we were not explaining that 2 things had happened. I left him with dd, went back and found the class teacher and explined very calmly what had happened and how upset I was about the way it had been handled. she said to leave it with her and get him to tell HER if other things happen.

This is just another reason why I feel my kids are getting a raw deal. DD is being set wildly inappropriate work for her ability; if the teacher is absent the class is split amongst others and set trivial photocopied sheets to do, the teachers leave their classrooms 1 minute after the last child, get into their cars and leave the site before most of the parents. There is no work on the wall of dd's classroom, just blank backing paper. there is no evidence that this is a caring school or that is academically the best place for my kids.

It doesn't help being a teacher but truly I am trying to wear my mum's hat. How do I send my kids back there. I know there is some over reaction on my part but I have a gut feeling that this is just not right.

It's a long rambling post and I doubt anyone will read it, but if anyone has words of wisdom I need them now.

rp, I couldn't get past half of what you said without wanting to say 'See the head' and 'explore other schools in the area'. What an effing cheek!!!! You have every right to discuss anything with the teacher. Didn't she interject, or did she just let her colleage do the talking for her? Wasn't she mildly embarrassed by that? Didn't she come running over to see you after that had been said? For FFFFFFFFFFs say, that would have sent me into ORBIT!!!!!!!!

I don't think there is any over reaction
on your part, teacher or no. They may have a more laissez faire attitude than you do, but should respect anyone wanting to address ANYTHING with them.

Am so [angy] on you behalf.

even. Can't you tell?

The thing is Earl Grey they aren't like the UK- people do seem to stick with their nearest school. I can't uproot them can I after such a huge move already. This is more my problem than theirs

please?

Of course you can move them. If they are not happy and you don't sound happy, why should you just leave them there.

Yes they have had a big move, but I don't think in the long run it would do them any harm moving to another school that they would enjoy attending.

Someone was blatantly rude to you and ds teacher did nothing to stop it. It is not your problem, it is theirs. And the fact that they tend to stick with their nearest school might be just the sort of kick up the arse they need if you suggest otherwise.

Someone else will be on here shortly, it's still early/breakfast time/mad panic here still.

SW, you still around???

I'd make an appointment to talk to the class teacher, and make a list beforehand of all the specific worries you have, like no work on the walls, etc.

I'd give the teacher a chance to explain herself to you, and see if you feel any more reassured. I would not tell the teacher at the beginning of the talk that you are also a teacher, but keep that fact in the back of your mind.

But I think you should mention it at some point in the talk - along with some teacher-like jargon - sorry, I think you have to use every tactic at your disposal!

See if she changes her approach once she sees you know more than the average parent about classroom techniques etc. This is especially important if you feel the teacher is fobbing you off with her answers. I think you should ask some teacher-to-teacher like questions. Possibly, you could write up notes from your meeting, send them to the teacher and copy in the head. Or see the head in person.

After this meeting, you have to decide what to to do next about keeping your sons at the school. But whatever, I'd definitely look at other local schools. Also, are there any local clubs, websites, parents groups - any place you can ask about the reputation of local schools, including the one your sons are at?

I have an appointment to see dd's teacher next week as they don't seem to have noticed she is a 10 year old with the reading age of a 15 year old and have put her in the bottom guided reading group and given her the simplest spellings to learn when she has the spelling age of a 16 year old.

The children are pretty happy really. They miss their friends in the UK but have made some friends here. Moving them might suit me but it isn't the right thing for them.

It would also cost us a huge amount financially to move them as you have to buy new uniform, pay the school contribution and buy the necessary text books. I also think that it would finish dd to move.

I have noticed at the end of the day the parents do not interact with the teachers. There is no informal feedback . I always chat with mums at the end of the day and just pass on little achievements etc and thought this quite normal. Perhaps I am wierd.

I have written very good stinky letter as catharsis and opened the wine. Will not send letter , will just accept this as a blip and see that glass is half full and life is pretty good and my kids are fab.
I will not be raving about aussie state education for the time being.

thanks for bothering to read and all helpful comments.. it's nice to know I am not losing the plot!

I can see your point, robinpud, and at least you are well positioned to give them extra teaching at home, if you feel the need.

As it's only for 9 months and moving them would be such a great upheaval, I think you are doing the right thing. Mind you, on the last day of term, if you still feel the school has let down your children, why not send that stinky letter.

And as you have an appointment with the teacher next week, you can hopefully get them to see you know what you are talking about, even if you do not tell them you are a teacher.