why same children given leading role every year

[ROSY2016]

hi all,
why same children given leading role every year. how do school choses the role for each children. Is it teachers choice ?

Thank you kilmuir for sharing. I am not the only one felt like that way.

My ds (no longer at primary school, now in Y8) never, ever got a decent part in any of the school productions. He was lucky if he got one line. It was a small village primary school and it was the same teacher (who was a bit of a thwarted thespian) who chose parts every year - she didn't dislike ds but he wasn't one of her obvious favourites, and boy did she have favourites. Yes, the same children got picked over and over.

Now that he is at secondary school he gets A or A* in all his drama assessments

Just read thatdearoctopus rude dismissal of what PebbleInTheMoonlight said. Since you appear to enjoy a robust discussion thatdear I'd just like to point out how breathtakingly arrogant it was of you to deny Pebble's experience - how on earth are you qualified to comment since you are not a member of that particular school community!

I am on child number 4 and to be honest I am not overly bothered as long as my DS isn't.
People trot out that the most confident/reliable kids get the good parts. Bollocks. They should all have a chance, just because Mummy drinks gin with the teacher or is on the PTA does not mean they get the best parts.
And yes I do know lot of time and effort goes into PTA stuff. I support them

My DD's class was asked what role they fancied doing and three people put their names down to be Mary. My DD was chosen. It was a nice surprise. It probably won't happen again. End of.

I do volunteer but rarely because I have a toddler/work. I am friends with a governor - because she is a nice person!

Fwiw she has never won at sports day and or other sporting events. She is usually disappointed by this. So I guess that evens it out?

Was your answer to me ironic, OP? Because it was a genuine suggestion.

Dd has just got into drama school, and reckons it was her evident enthusiasm for ensemble play that swayed the panel. She has also been working for a year in a customer-facing job, and again thinks her early experience of learning to be enthusiastic about very minor parts in school plays and drama clubs over the years helped her both to get the job and do well in it. I don't think we help our children by encouraging them to feel hard done by.

You missed my point, there is nothing to feel about minor part. But if the same children was chosen every year, then there is no opportunity for others to shine. This could demotivate them. And also just nativity just happened I started this thread, its happening other aspects as well.

That was my whole point: that if you can help your dc to not feel demotivated by not being in the limelight, but instead to feel motivated by doing a good job of something small and obscure (like being part of a staircase), then that is a life skill.

Most teachers wouldn't have a clue whose parents are governors and have zero interest in who is active on the PTA.
When you are spending hours and hours preparing to put on a performance you want it to be as good as possible and choose the children that can do the job, pleasing certain parents is not a concern at all.

My school did a great job (my DS is reception). All the reception kids got one or two lines and a little time on stage. It was great for the nervous ones as they didn't feel overwhelmed and the extroverts got their moment in the spot light too.

Rosy...with regard to your daughter wanting to be on the school council: don't the class vote for who they want? In our school, if they want to be the class rep for school council, they can put themselves forward and then the children do a secret ballot for who they want. That has absolutely nothing to do with PTAs, mum volunteering or teacher's pets!

*thatdearoctopus

"Nepotism is rife"

Oh, DFOD! This bollocks is trotted out all the time. If those children have been selected, it will be because they happen to have talent - which would not be all that surprising if acting runs in the family.*

Aw diddums...don't you like being called out on your precious little darlings only getting things because of their parents influences

I'm not particularly bothered that my daughter isn't a staring role, that isn't important to me in the slightest as I'd enjoy watching her miming as a donkey. What is aggravating is the two 'lead' girls aren't that talented. There are far more talented children who don't get a look in because of who these children's parents are. I am sick of watching their "star turn" every fucking year.

That's a fact.

Nepotism is generally only denied by those benefitting from it on the other hand so fill you boots. You're one of those people.

What about all those children of PTA members, staff, governors, volunteers who aren't chosen? Do you have a theory?

Not in the PTA, barely at the school gates, never volunteer (have very disabled child as well).

Ds2 had lots of main parts.

Ds3 didn't.

#scratches head.

I've been on the pta for bloody years and still my DC don't get main parts.

But what does piss me off though, is the parents of the children who have main parts boasting about it on social media. "My little Gloria is Mary again this year, so proud!" Have a thought for the chickens, please!

Ah but is Gloria's mum a PTA member?

Aw diddums...don't you like being called out on your precious little darlings only getting things because of their parents influences

Nepotism is generally only denied by those benefitting from it on the other hand so fill you boots. You're one of those people.

No, I'm a teacher, who is beyond pissed off at this nonsense being rolled out every year by chippy parents who really ought to find themselves more important things to fuss about.

So, my daughter is the one who gets the lead parts every year and do you know what? She totally deserves it!!!!!

She loves sport but is a sub on the B team in competitive matches. She isn't good enough to be on the first team. I don't have a moan that she should be because it would boost her confidence.

The same two kids always win the prize for achievement at the end of the year. It's a bit rubbish for the child who is always second but hey ho, life's a bit like that.

She put hours and hours into an art competition project and only got a consolation entry prize. She did a really great picture but I could see that the winners were far superior by miles.

Put her on the stage and she shines. She works professionally outside school, can learn lines in a flash and is someone who can hold the whole thing together. Her first role was "broccoli" in her nursery play. Non speaking role. In her drama group outside school she is usually in the ensemble with the occasional line. The thing is she doesn't expect any role. If one thing she has learnt over years of attending auditions is that rejection is part of life and you can't always get what you want. If she doesn't get a lead role then she just gets on with it and puts as much effort into it as a main part.

I am not on the PTA, a governor or related to any famous actors. She just has a talent. Gets me rather annoyed when people can only be negative towards her achievements and talents because their little flower only had one line.

Sorry, bit of a rant. I overheard a parent discussing the exact same thing about my daughter after her recent school show. I don't do politics at school so bit my tongue but MN is getting it as a result!!!!