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Post by Dave on Jul 16, 2014 7:06:12 GMT
For those of us who are parents a child's first day at school is fraught with mixed emotions. That moment when they finally disappear from view can be a tough but proud one. Of course there will have been meetings with members of staff beforehand where reassurances will have been offered to smooth our troubled brows but nothing quite prepares you for the moment itself. Being able to choose a good school certainly helps in this regard, which brings me to the school in question. A school which cares so very much for the wellbeing of it's pupils it's head sent them a heart-warming letter after the pupils had completed a particularly arduous series of tests.
Here is the letter in full:
Please find enclosed your end of KS2 test results. We are very proud of you as you demonstrated huge amounts of commitment and tried your very best during this tricky week.
However, we are concerned that these tests do not always assess all of what it is that make each of you special and unique. The people who create these tests and score them do not know each of you... the way your teachers do, the way I hope to, and certainly not the way your families do.
They do not know that many of you speak two languages. They do not know that you can play a musical instrument or that you can dance or paint a picture.
They do not know that your friends count on you to be there for them or that your laughter can brighten the dreariest day. They do not know that you write poetry or songs, play or participate in sports, wonder about the future, or that sometimes you take care of your little brother or sister after school.
They do not know that you have travelled to a really neat place or that you know how to tell a great story or that you really love spending time with special family members and friends.
They do not know that you can be trustworthy, kind or thoughtful, and that you try, every day, to be your very best... the scores you get will tell you something, but they will not tell you everything.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2014 7:17:34 GMT
For those of us who are parents a child's first day at school is fraught with mixed emotions. That moment when they finally disappear from view can be a tough but proud one. Of course there will have been meetings with members of staff beforehand where reassurances will have been offered to smooth our troubled brows but nothing quite prepares you for the moment itself. Being able to choose a good school certainly helps in this regard, which brings me to the school in question. A school which cares so very much for the wellbeing of it's pupils it's head sent them a heart-warming letter after the pupils had completed a particularly arduous series of tests.
Here is the letter in full:
Please find enclosed your end of KS2 test results. We are very proud of you as you demonstrated huge amounts of commitment and tried your very best during this tricky week.
However, we are concerned that these tests do not always assess all of what it is that make each of you special and unique. The people who create these tests and score them do not know each of you... the way your teachers do, the way I hope to, and certainly not the way your families do.
They do not know that many of you speak two languages. They do not know that you can play a musical instrument or that you can dance or paint a picture.
They do not know that your friends count on you to be there for them or that your laughter can brighten the dreariest day. They do not know that you write poetry or songs, play or participate in sports, wonder about the future, or that sometimes you take care of your little brother or sister after school.
They do not know that you have travelled to a really neat place or that you know how to tell a great story or that you really love spending time with special family members and friends.
They do not know that you can be trustworthy, kind or thoughtful, and that you try, every day, to be your very best... the scores you get will tell you something, but they will not tell you everything.
I'm in two minds about this. I like the sentiment but its the sentiment that feels a bit too sentimental!! However the intent is terrific so I reckon its a good thing to do. Certainly the kids need to get away from this 'results are all that matter' mindset. I have never had kids of my own although I took on a couple at the ages of eleven and twelve. I'm not sure if I got the hard bit or the easy but I suspect I didn't make the best job of it that I could have. |
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Post by danielquinn on Jul 16, 2014 7:30:06 GMT
I suspect this is apocryphal.
Edit - It seems someone as admitted sending it ! so i stand corrected .
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Post by dvh on Jul 16, 2014 9:18:45 GMT
Ha! Some of my letters from school were so awful I had to hide them from my parents, just to spare their feelings.
I'm also in two minds about this. Such 'praise', apart from being toe-curlingly embarrassing, is so vague as to be meaningless. It's less damaging than the 'you're crap and you know it' stuff that used to be doled out when I were a nipper, but what does it actually achieve?
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Post by danielquinn on Jul 16, 2014 9:26:58 GMT
My daughter is leaving primary school this week [ she is in year 6] Having attended the schools' leaving show last nite , it does seem to be a time of exaggerated but genuine emotion and affection that this old cynic could turn his nose up at , but that would be churlish .
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Post by AlanS on Jul 16, 2014 12:35:30 GMT
We never had letters from school. Thats progress for you
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Post by MartinT on Aug 9, 2014 23:22:32 GMT
As a school, it's usually best to remain fairly straight with pupils. Parents usually dish out too much 'precious' sentiment these days, although there are the unloved exceptions for whom I feel very sorry. It's a fine line that teachers tread, and in my observation the very best ones are straightforward and unflappable and often end up being the most loved teachers of all.
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Post by Chris on Aug 10, 2014 10:51:49 GMT
Nah, I didn't get letters from school. They just asked my parents to come in.
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