Patridge bantam chicken poorly foot?

[Tina C]

We have ours today, the first at junior school. As we only have 10 minutes I was wondering what teachers expect to achieve from these meetings?

 

There seems to be a format - say something nice then make a suggestion for improvement. In our case L 'works at the top of the class' 'gives 100%' and is 'always doing what she should be'. She is by no means perfect, but apart from asking is there anything (else) we should be doing at home to help her I have no idea what to say/ask to make the most of that precious 10 minutes. I don't want to walk out thinking 'Oh, was that it?'

 

By the way I have not been posting much lately but I have been popping in for a read (and a laugh and a cry) from time to time.

[Paola]

I must confess I only went to DD1 and DD2 first parent teacher meeting last school year Personally I find them a complete waste of time.

[BeckyBoo]

We've got ours tonight as well, and actually when things are going fine ours are a bit of a waste of time, but when ED was struggling a bit with her reading year before last it was a helpful meeting, never sure quite what to expect although as far as I'm aware the girls are doing OK. Thing is our school is quite good at keeping you informed if there is a problem, so we never need to wait until parents evening to find out if you see wat I mean. I wonder if they're more use once children are at secondary school, when, certainly round ehre, the parents have almost no daily contact with teachers?

Mrs B

[Yorkshire Pudding]

From the other side of the desk can I just say how useful these meetings can be in boosting the child's self-esteem? At our school (secondary, admittedly) we expect the student to attend with parent/carer. They hear first-hand what is being said about them. When it needs improvement, they hear exactly what the problem is. When they are doing well, we get to praise them in front of their adults which is really good.

 

You are right to say that there is less contact at secondary level so it becomes even more important.

 

Some parents are great at talking to their son or daughter about their school work. Others can't or don't pass on concerns or praise so well. Having the child there is helpful; however when I attend as a parent for my own sons, I can't takt them to the consultation. We make a point of discussing with them what their teacher has said and what action they need to take. The fact that we go along, even if it's just to hear 5 minutes of 'he's doing brilliantly', confirms for them that we are actively interested in what they do at school.

 

Of course it isn't the only time we go into school - we go a lot, I volunteer there every week. But the children see parents' evening as important and if we didn't go I think they would wonder why not!