Is it the norm to single out reception kids for prize giving!!

[shellye]

I am a parent of an only child. Without other siblings at the school I stay in the dark a little about school politics etc! Sometimes a good thing!

The school is having their prize givin assembly soon and the parents of the children to receive these have been invited by letter to attend. Can you imagine what this has done to the rest of the parents! How can you single out 5 year olds. They have all done well in their first year of school. I have no issue of giving prizes to kids higher up the school when the kids have an understanding of what the prizes are about and how they can achieve them. But they are 5!!! I also have an issue with the school for doing this in secret. Am I alone in this? Am I being unreasonable?

My ds are no longer at primary school but the way it used to work at theirs was:

Everybody can attend prize-assembly.

BUT if your child has been singled out for a prize you get a letter inviting you specifically.

Not secret - just asking parents not to tell the child so it is a lovely surprise for the child.

I thought it was an excellent system.

In my dd's school every child attends the prize giving ceremony and is given a certificate for achievement at school. One child may receive recognition for being an outstanding student. I think that prizes for outstanding academic achievement should only be given to children in the juniors. I think that it is unfair to do this in the infants as children with Summer birthdays will be at a disadvantage academically and will therefore be less likely to have the chance to receive an award.

Up until this year our school has given oout 3 prizes per class. Two for achievment and one called the headteachers cup for effort and generally being a nice child.

This year they have changed to only Year 6 getting prizes and paretns are up in arms so it just shows you can't please everyone.

I do think the phrase "can you imagine what this has done to the rest of the parents!" (my highlighting) is significant.

My dd has always been competitive, so the giving of prizes in reception years was just as important to her then as it is now she's 8.

I've always found that the lessons my child has learned best are the ones she learned early. I have no objection with prizes being given out in the early years.

Oh...and she didn't win back then and was gutted. It was the same kind of lesson as not being invited to all the birthday parties and not being liked by everyone. It's harsh, but they have to learn the realities of life at some point. IMO if a lesson isn't life threatening, age inappropriate or morally questionable, the earlier it's learned, the better.

Would you feel the same way if your child had been selected to receive a prize OP?

Prize giving is for all parents at ds's school. Prizes for older children and reception children get an achievement certificate. I wouldn't be bothered if other dcs got prizes and ds didn't.

I was a summer born child and always won prizes so I don't think that summer born children are always academically disadvantaged. Same for my db whose birthday is end of August and youngest in his year.

dd's prize giving/graduation ceremony(for the primary 7 kids)is in the local church (although she goes to a non-denominational school) so all parents are welcome. DD (primary 1, aged 5.7 years) has won an award for general excellence.

I've never heard of this, tbh.

At dd's school, they have 'Certificate Assemblies' every week, and one or two children from each class get awarded certificates, and one child from the whole school gets the Head's 'special' certicate. They can be given for anything from academic achievement to making a special effort, and I once heard a girl being commended for being particularly caring and considerate to her classmates that week.

I actually think it does matter if some kids never get one at all, and others get them all the time (my dd has had several, its not sour grapes I really just do believe that). At the age of 5 there is a huge danger of kids learning the lesson that they are no good/can't win/never get seen - not what anyone would want. OTOH, not everyone gets an award each week - or even each term - so when they do, it does count. The kids are thrilled to get them, right up to Y6 (as far as I can see - I've sat in on a few, as I help with reading that day).

As for parents being invited, no, they aren't, ever - though they would be welcome to sit in if they asked. I'd be more concerned, though, about how the kids would feel than the parents.

There may be a special end of year prize thingy, of course, I've yet to find out...dd being in Reception...

DD's school does prize giving. At the end of the year there is a whole school prize dayw ith about 6 prizes given out per class for various reasons. This is on the morning of the last day of term and all parents are invited to attend. You dont know if your child hs got an award each year. Certificates, trophies and prizes are given out, plus house prizes.

Also throughout the year there are celebration assemblies here certificates are given out again for a range of reasons. No parents invited.

At the school I work at we have celebration assembliues every week where no parents are invited. 1-2 childrne oer class get a certificate for a range of reasons - could be academic, effort, anything the class teacher decides. We also give out reading challenge certificates, etc. tpp.

All children in DD's school go on stage to receive a certificate at the end of reception. Its a good way to mark their first year and boosts their self esteem. After that just prize winners go on stage. All parents are invited every year.

The only reception age children who receive a special award are the girl and boy earning the most points at sports day but those awards are made on sports day itself by the headmaster.

I'm okay with prize giving as long as it is inclusive. For example, dd is a bit of an intellectual light weight and is never going to gain an academic prize...it would be nice if she could be recognised for her effort and hard work or for being friendly and helpful (as she invariably is)...if prize giving takes this pluralistic approach then all the better. I do have a problem with prize giving that is purely rewarding intellect.

Ds is bright and likely to win prizes in the future (in Year R currently). I have mixed feelings about this - love him passionately of course, but I can already see that he is arrogant and conceited enough already!

we do this at the school i work at .. well actually we start at year 1. I tell the rest of the class the day before that I have choosen 2 children to represent the class who have all worked hard etc etc over the year.

I can choose 2 children - I go for those who have worked hard all year regardless of ability.

I know how you feel. At my dd school they start with three prizes per class starting at 5. You only know when your child is called out on the day if you have won a prize or not. I think at 5 they have all done well to have got through the first year! Anyway I guess it is part of life so as long as it is fairly done it is something we have to live with....prize or no prize!

Our school are always giving out loads of Mickey mouse awards which once they get to about 7 they don't give a monkey's about.
Cynical Me ?

Our school has prizegiving once a month. There is 2 prizes per class plus a few extras for sports teams or anything special that has been going on. They can take in extra curricular stuff too, like swimming badges etc. Parents are invited generally but you are not told if your child is getting something or not.