Teacher speak interpretation needed please [grin]

[seeker]

After years of school reports, I have learned what "lively" "eager to contribute" and "full of life" mean!

But ds has 5 "reward" certificates this term, 3 of which use "determined"

Ideas? Bloody minded? Never gives up, even when clearly in the wrong?

Stubborn?

'Sticks at the activity even when I'm trying to get the whole class back together. It drives me insane but I do like his enthusiasm!' [bugrin]

Schools are trying to encourage perseverance so maybe they mean that for determined

I think determined is good. He is not a quitter. I know what you mean about there possibly being another explanation though. I would be doing the same!

I have always loved searching my children's reports for this year's way of saying "mini seeker is doing very well, but would do much better if he/she would shut up and listen for the occasional 5 minutes"!

Oh yes. I think we have had 'spirited' once or twice with DS2 and we all know what that means.

I only ever use determined in a good way. I use it to talk about the kids who refuse to give up even though the rest of the class could have lost interest ages before.

It would never even occur to me to look for a translation of determined, it is what it is, which is good.

Which seemingly innocuous words are not good on a report School?

I'm not actually sure. I tell it as it is, so if they aren't behaving the way they are supposed to then I would let you know, politely but clearly.

I do know that some of my colleagues use teacher speak though, so there obviously are some words that mean pita but aren't clear to the parents.

Wouldn't it be refreshing to say 'X is a right pain in the arse' School?

These make me laugh. Our (Y8) parents' evening included these gems:

"I enjoy his wit but he needs to learn that there are times to rein it in" [English].

"He can be very entertaining and I enjoy his sense of humour, but at the end of the day, it's a Science practical, not the stand-up comedy circuit".

Your DS sounds a hoot Three. Full of personality.

Just to clarify, we did take the clowning quite seriously, and stern words were had.

We told him that he can let his 'personality' have free rein once he has some A-levels under his belt.

As the Mum of a shy, quiet DS of 13 Three, it sounds odd but I would be overjoyed to read that in his report.

I think they must mean 'determined' in the positive, perseverance sense, or they wouldn't be giving out reward certificates for it.

"Determined" means determined in a good way.

"Willful" means determined in a bad way.

Shame. Much more fun if it was teacher speak!

I'd love to be able to say that Sparkling. Our "house style" is generally against being rude about children though, however accurate it might be.

Three your ds sounds like the sort of pupil I enjoy teaching, as long as he does learn when to stop the comedy.

Parents should have a choice of how they want the reports worded School. Those that can take the truth can have it told like it is.

I was told by one of my yr 11s that her report was a bit "gushy". She questioned whether I had new at the red wine...

been at the red wine.

Anything preceded by the word 'can' ( as in 'X can listen well to instructions...) usually means it doesn't usually happen but has maybe on one occasion!

Schmedz.