Picking teams for PE

[thefirstmrsrochester]

MY ds is in class of 33. Year 7.
He told me last week of term they played basketball in PE. 2 children (alpha types as it happens) were chosen to pick teams - 2 teams of 15. My ds & 2 other kids were 'left over' and not picked. Nor were they 'swapped in' at any point.
The selection of any child to choose teams gets on my nerves anyway (it's never ever my ds) but that he and 2 others spent the hour sitting to the sides has got my blood boiling.
DH says chill a bit, but I can't. I feel I should speak to the school at the start of term. I'm so angry that not only has yet another thing at school been turned into a popularity contest, but he and the other two missed out on their hour of PE.
Am I overreacting?

Is that a regular occurrence in his PE lessons? It doesn't seem very inclusive does it? I think I'd be speaking to the school to clarify the situation.

No you8 are not over reacting.I thought the humiliating practice of picking teams would have died out years ago. Except that PE teachers are always sadists.

It seems ridiculous that the teacher didnt plan for two teams of 16 or, if they intentionally wanted a 'sub' situation that they didn't ensure that children were subbed. Aside from the obvious upset caused, what were these children learning in this PE lesson?!!

But, unless this happens a lot I probably wouldn't say anything, by the sounds of this teacher he/she only cares about the sporty kids anyway and would just see your child a precious darling. (I realise I'm prob being unfair!) If it happens again or if your DS says it is a regular thing then I would be speaking to their Head of department, explaining that I didnt want to be named for the sake of my child's embarasment but could they tactfully as Mr X to use different methods for picking teams. Most teachers would say 'never go over the teacher's head' which I do agree with (being a teacher!) but I also think there are some circumstances where you can avoid akwardness.

I can't see how not going over the head of the teacher means anything. If the teacher is doing something to your child that you don't like you have to ask someone else at the school to prevent them from doing it.

If that's going over heads then the more heads that get gone over the better!

if it just happened once - on the last week of term - I would leave it. If it happens again, I would speak to the teacher about how your dc feels - and also your concerns about what he is getting out of the lesson if he is sitting on the sidelines (pretty obviously unacceptable even to a total dimwit).

Its always worth asking about something if it is bothering you. I am actually a PE teacher and would never leave children sitting on the side for the whole lesson without a good reason why. Neither would I have a team of 15 for basketball?! But I'm guessing it was supposed to be a bit of fun for the last lesson before Christmas. I would speak to the teacher concerned first - unless you speak to them directly they will not know there is a problem - let them at least have first opportunity to explain what happened rather than going straight to their boss. If you are not satisfied with their explanation or you believe it may not be fully resolved then voice your concerns to the Head of dept or Head teacher.

I would speak to the teacher first, preferably in a "ds tells me that this happened, can you explain" sort of way. Occasionally things may not be exactly as they appear and to go in all guns blazing can lead to embarrassment. If you are not happy with the outcome then go higher.

More than a bit strange that the basketball was 15 aside!

Also basketball is a game that is easily played with subs.

I would either let it go or have a quiet word with the teacher.

Would have though 'team picking' like that not on these days.
Used to happen when I was a kid. Horrible.

thanks for all your responses ..... have been out of it with the flu or would have been back sooner.
DS is adamant it was basketball they were playing and yes, it seems, he got nothing out of his PE lesson.
Sadly this has happened before - my DD is a year older and now in yr 1 in high school. She reported the same but I let it slide as my SIL recently took up a senior post in the school and I didnt want to ruffle feathers or put her in a position where she felt compromised.
Its a great school otherwise but I just do not understand why they perpetuate this humiliating 'picking of teams' by the kids.
School here is back on monday - I cannot make an appointment to speak to the PE teacher - she is part time - I need to refer my requests through the head teacher.

How awful. I used to hate the team picking business in PE - I was rubbish but my best friend was even worse, but she would always get picked before me as she was funnier and prettier.

I read a great piece the other day by Allison Pearson - it was in response to a book of letters people would write to their 16 year old selves. She had put something about the ones who always get picked first in PE don't always amount to much in later life.

But if it is upsetting you I would definitely speak to the school. But do check the facts, my DD (12) seems to exist in her own little world and frequently gives me mangled half tales.

I was always one of the last to be picked too. And yes it was always the "Alpha" girls or boys who picked the teams and they also somehow were allowed to "bend the rules" with regards to what they wore for PE lessons whilst the rest of us had to wear the regulation kit .

But I do content myself with the fact that, after a very occasional foray onto friends re-united, they are no longer the bees-fucking-knees.

Up the underdog! (And those crap at PE)

My dd's pe teacher (year 8) always says "get into groups of xx" for their pe lessons so obviously choose their friends. This was also done at primary. Lazy teachers syndrome i expect.

When I was in my last year at primary my best friend and I were finally selected to pick teams for PE. We secretly agreed to pick all of the people who are usually picked last, first. This we did to the bemusement of the rest of the group. After the lesson we were kept back and told off for making a mockery of the situation. We genuinely wanted to turn the tables and make those of our class mates who were usually humiliated by the whole thing feel good for once :(

Learnandsay I meant that, unless you are concerned about the teacher's proffessional conduct or something like that, there isnt really a reason not to go to the teacher. It uses up HOD's time and the teacher ends up getting a 'telling off' which doesnt need to happen. Respect them as a proffesional and allow them to recifty the problem first.

Ive had the odd time where my Head has said (usually sighing heavily) X's Mum has a problem. Its always been something little and I think 'why didnt she come to me?!' It also gives the teacher a chance to chat to the parent and set their mind at rest the and there. If you go further up the hierachy you make it seem like a bigger deal and drag it all out.

But I do agree that, especially if you have already spoken to the teacher, if you feel that whatever it is needs to stop right now then yes, going further up would be more likely to get that response.