School problems again!

so the other week i asked tobys teacher what they would be doing abou funraising for Chch... she said she didnt know but would try and find out. i also eamiled the office - via their contact us section on their website... i told the teacher i had done that a day or so later and i also breifly mentioned some of the other stuff i found weird, like no hat policy and the fact they say they are a health promoting school but the lunch bar is open morning tea and lunch and sells wedges both times... it was only a brief chat about stuff and nothing major....

anyway today the principal bails me up outside the gates - in the rain while i had all the kids with me - and told me he was concerned that i had been making complaints to several teachers about him and the fundraising thing. claimed i had written things down about him ... told him the only teachers i had talked to were the boys teachers and only one of them about fundraising.... and i have never mentioned him personaly to any teacher! he was pretty adamant that i had spoken to several techers so was in essence calling me a liar too...

I was furios when i got home and have been sitting here stewing about it....

Wow, what a dick! Even if you had said something about him to one of the teachers, why does he think he can have a go at you about it? If a parent has an issue it should be addressed, he shouldn't be getting all defensive and petty about it. And the fact that you never said anything at all about him - yeah, what a dick!

I suggest you write a letter, ignore his behaviour this afternoon, and just address the issues you have with the hats and canteen. Suggest that if he would like to discuss these issues further, or any other issues, you would be happy to make a time to come see him.

That sounds bizarre! - on his part not yours.  Any chance that you can change schools - given that this isn't the first issue?  I think you have every right to stew about it and I would be too!  For a start it doesn't sound like you are getting answers to fairly basic questions, and secondly the principal just sounds odd. 

ETA:  actually I like Jazzy's ideas much more than mine!! 

Edited by happymumma

thanks guys... i am still all teary over it and my poor husband even came home early cause i rang him all upset. I only ever wanted the best school for my kids.

the guy basically called me a liar when i told him that i had spoken to only one teacher about it and just kept saying that lots of teacher had been spoken to by me. but wouldnt say who.

the only school in the area i would be happy sending my kids to is zoned and we are out of zone... toby especially likes the independence of being able to walk to school (becuase it is on the same street four doors or so down) and i really thought we had a winner with his teacher this year. she really seemed to understand him. i havent had any issues with the way they are being taught so far this year, which at the end of the day is the important thing... but i dont know how i feel about a school that has branded me as the trouble maker parent!

Edited by Bizzy

Bizzy that is so bad of a principal to act like that...I would call a meeting & if possible take DH along. Do it face to face & not in a letter as you need it addressed asap. If the out come is not what you need then I would put it in writing to the board & ask why they are not promoting sun protection & healthy eating at the their school & what does the principal think speaking to you like that is going to achieve, do they not allow a parent to voice concerns or promote helping when a national disaster hits the country...put it all back on them.

I would change schools if you are not happy with any outcomes or dealings you have with them...& I don't say that lightly.

Your child's welfare is in their hands for 6 hrs a day & you rely on them to keep them safe & do what is right.

Where does he get off speaking to a mum like that..would he of spoken to a man like that..I wonder. I think he is the one making trouble what an idiot.

Deb I would call up and make a meeting with the principal.

I would start off very friendly and say that you think somewhere there was a bit of miscommunication. It was difficult to chat in the rain and set things clear etc.

Then lay it out for him again. If he insist that you did chat to other teachers and talked about him blah blah blah. I would say that you would really like to talk to these teachers as this is complete news to you and you only have your kids best interest in heart and the questions you asked the one teacher was more about interest sake to understand things a bit more.

Maybe he misstook you for someone else perhaps?

I THINK our school's dressing in black & red on friday, gold coin etc. As for the principal- I'm going to go against what's been said & say just ignore him. Don't bother trying to talk to him if he's going to be such an anus, his reaction sounds pretty defensive so I'd suspect there's a whole lot more going on than just him thinking you've been complaining. Join the Home & School commitee, be seen as a doer & you'll have more sway, sunblock your child & suggest he not choose wedges. =)

BIZZY WROTE I asked him that and he practically laughed at me and said no it was definitely you. I told him several times i hadnt spoken to any other teachers about him but he insisted i had.

i will be going to school today to tell tobys teacher - who is wonderful with toby - that i will no longer be coming to the school as i have been made to feel unwelcome and uncomfortable. But i am still interested in how he is doing as a year 1 and my husband will be available to discuss anything on Fridays. I will also be writing a letter to the principal letting him know that he made me feel embarrased as well as uncomfortable and unwelcome. [/QUOTE]

Oh no....He really sounds like an arse. I am quite concerned a school principal made you feel that way it sounds very unprofessional and defensive. What sort of school is it that doesn't like (well they may not truely like but allows parents to question things), seemed like reasonable queries to me.

As principal he should respond to any queries, be open minded and respectful of others ideas and perspectives even if he does not agree and accept responsibility where improvements can be made.

I feel as though if you back off they are winning iykwim and that may not be for the best for your children. Its a hard situation I liked Jazzy's advice and if you got more involved maybe they would see you are just interested and trying to help not cause trouble.

Good luck whatever you do...

Edited by jules1980

Aww hun frist big hugs that is horrable of him to do that. I hate being called a lier so i can understand why you are so upset. I would deff do what Jazzy has said with meeting with him dont let him push you around you have every right to speck up for your childern.

yep jazzy the same school.. .

I decided to see what the teachers were like this year and have been really happy with tobys teacher especially. she got him straight away and gabriels teacher seems to be working out ok despite my worries about it being his first year... so i was reluctant to try and find a different school. I fugured the problems with the way they did things could be overcome so long as they were being educated well. i go in most mornings to the school. i have let the office know when their sign out the front had wrong dates, told them when they got the wrong rubbish day, told teachers when i have seen gross stuff in bathrooms... i thought i was being a good helpful parent. I even gave gabriels class the herald for earthquake info the day after it happened.

and yet i have been branded a trouble maker parent. The principal even made a comment about trouble i had at Gabriels previous school. ( i had a run in with his teacher casue he wasnt getting notices, it wasnt her fault it was a school communication break down but she took it the wrong way and ended up yelling at me and i of course yelled back... it ended well with me giving her chocs and an apology and her finally understanding what i had been saying but it seems that this has followed me.)