Letter to Principal
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Topic: Letter to Principal
Posted By: Bizzy
Subject: Letter to Principal
Date Posted: 07 March 2011 at 11:28am
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So - i am of two minds. Part of me doesnt want to have any more trouble but the bigger part thinks he should know how he made me feel. so here is the letter i am thinking of sending...
Mr Wallace On Wednesday 2 February 2011 after you spoke to me at the school gates I went home very upset and embarrased. You have succeeded in making me feel uncomfortable and unwelcome at ******* Primary School. I found the way you approached me to be unprofessional and the way you spoke to me demeaning. I resent your implication that i lied about not talking to various teachers about some of the things i am concerned about, and that i had written complaints about you. If you have any such proof of your allegations I am officially requesting to see the proof, as under the Privacy Act i am entitled to. I have had some minor concerns about some of the practices at ********* and i had voiced them briefly to Ms Taylor in passing and i think had asked either yourself or Ms Maguire about the hat policy at the gate one afternoon. I had also emailed the school - via the contact us option on your website - about my concerns about the late break times and received a satifactory reply. None of these issues seemed to warrant making an appointment to see you as were all minor. And as i stated to you at the school gate on Wednesday i do not feel that as a principal you are particularly approachable. I must say how disappointed i am that ********* are not doing any type of fundraising for Christchurch. You have outlined your reasons to me but I feel that you are missing a good oppurtinity to foster school and community spirit. ******** seem to be one of the few schools not doing aything, including many others in South Auckland. In fact it deosnt even have to be about fundraising. Many schools are promoting a black and red day to show their support and money would not need to be asked of the students or their parents. I have been very pleased with Ms Taylor as Tobys teacher and feel she is going to be great for the year 1 and 2 children. It is also great to see more men teachers in your school and Gabriel seems to be getting on well, albeit slowly in some respects, with his new teacher and class. I believe in being involved in my childrens schooling and try to go to school and check with their teachers how they are doing. I feel it is important to have a good rapport with the teacher so that any concerns can be dealt with together and early. However you have made me feel that i should no longer be involved in my childrens schooling and i do not like being made to feel this way. I feel that contrary to your school policy i have been bullied. If you wish to discuss any of this further then my husband and I will be available on Fridays to meet you in your office. so any thougts on that??? edited to take out name of school.  ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: MyLilSquishy
Date Posted: 07 March 2011 at 11:41am
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looks good. i would add in about having the kids and him talking to you in the rain as well to drive the point home, but thats just me lol.
good luck! (OT - good on you for 9kgs lost!!!!!!) |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 07 March 2011 at 11:43am
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thanks!
and thanks! :) am pretty stoked. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: GuestGuest
Date Posted: 07 March 2011 at 11:44am
Sounds good but I'm not sure how he would feel about this being on a public site for all to see 
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 07 March 2011 at 11:50am
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i dont really care if he likes it or nor... but for you i will take out the names of the school. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: Babykatnz
Date Posted: 07 March 2011 at 12:21pm
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I'm surprised they arent doing anything for chch either, B's school has done a sausage sizzle AND a coin trail, as well as an earthquake drill to show the kids what the other children in chch would have had to do... I emailed Mr C and asked him about mufti (radio station was calling all schools to make Mon/Tues mufti day as part of a unity concept to band together and help chch, and that got the MoE approval too) on the Thursday following earthquake, he emailed me next morning to say they'd talk about it at friday mornings meeting, and a notice went home that afternoon about the fundraising and drill for Tuesday. Not really that hard to organise something, even if its just a small contribution!
Sounds like you've written it well, you've pointed out good things about the school as well as the things you are having problems over. ------------- Brandon - 05/12/2003  
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Posted By: crakars
Date Posted: 07 March 2011 at 1:22pm
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letter looks good - but he could easily disregard it - you should send a copy to the chairperson of the board - that way you know you will be heard. -------------  http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: MummyFreckle
Date Posted: 07 March 2011 at 2:26pm
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I think the letter is really well written and very clear about your concerns. I do think that you should cc it to the chairperson the board too, otherwise the Principal can ignore it if he chooses to. Well done!
------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 07 March 2011 at 2:59pm
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Yep will cc to the chairman of the Board of trustees.
Thanks for the feedback guys. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: Red
Date Posted: 07 March 2011 at 3:28pm
Sounds good, just proof reading for you. Did you mean to put February, or should it be March?  ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 07 March 2011 at 3:36pm
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My only concern is if you send it to the board without trying to rectify, or give him a chance to put things right with you first it may not go in your favour.
If you send him a letter/email requesting a meeting with you & DH explaining the issues like you have & things don't go the way you want then a follow up letter to him & the board or just the board stating that you have tried to sort out the issues you have & since you have had no joy with it you are forced to take it higher. I think by sending a letter to him & cc the board without a face to face meeting or trying to have a face to face meeting (if he refuses that a different issue)then he is going to be in contact with the board fist & he will get his side in first & will not be favourable, I don't think. |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 07 March 2011 at 4:31pm
oh sh*t - March, i forgot we were in that month now! will have to re type them out now! ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Red wrote:Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 07 March 2011 at 4:35pm
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jazzy i dont really want anything to come out of it except to let him know how he made me feel. I dont even really expect an apology or acknowledgment from him. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: millymollymandy
Date Posted: 07 March 2011 at 7:14pm
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Grgghh...good on you for having your say!
I used to spend a large part of my job working with profssionals getting them to write tricky letters. Odd for someone who struggles to type a coherant post!Anyway use or ignore what you want from these comments. Personally I'd be really clear from the start about what the issues are and what outcome you want. I'd also try and focus on behaviour, not personality stuff. Try and be super efficent with the words you use, i.e. "I am disappointed at the way you spoke to me last Wednesday. The way you dealt with me was unprofessional and demeaning. While I am not seeking any further action, I want to state that I found the exchange hurtful and that I now feel uncomfortable and unwelcome at ******* Primary School. Recently I raised concerns about x, y and Z with members of staff, but none of these minor issues seemed to warrant making an appointment with you. Furthermore, I beleived that these issues had been suffciently resolved. I believe in being involved in my children's schooling and try to check with their teachers how they are doing. I feel it is important to have a good rapport with the teacher so that any concerns can be dealt with together and early. However, you have made me feel that this is wrong and I resent being made to feel this way. I feel that contrary to your school policy, I have been bullied. " Then I'd end with the postive stuff about the teachers. Personally although I think you are right about the CHCH fundraising, I'd leave it out, as it's a separate issue. I have to say that it sounds like very unprofessional behaviour, he's probably feeling on the back foot maybe? Good luck! |
Posted By: Lucky apple
Date Posted: 07 March 2011 at 7:57pm
I'd be inclined to go with MMM's advice above (the whole post, not just the quote) But also, I think that it is really important to include the positive thoughts you have about your children's teachers - That way it is clear that it is just the interaction you are taking issue with, not the school as a whole. I too agree with editing out the chch bit for the purpose of this letter... Just focus on the behaviour that you were unhappy with, and the way it made you feel... Good luck. ETA: I didn't really add anything to MMMs post, other than emphasis!! Good advice :-) |
Posted By: Flossie
Date Posted: 07 March 2011 at 8:30pm
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Well done I think the letter is clear and states why you were upset etc! I will look forward to hearing what happens as a result GL!! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 07 March 2011 at 10:11pm
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millymollymandy some excellent suggestions...
here is my revised letter. On Wednesday 2 March 2011 after you spoke to me at the school gates I went home very upset and embarrased. the way you dealt with me was unprofessional and demeaning. While I am not seeking any further action, I want to state that I found the exchange hurtful and that I now feel uncomfortable and unwelcome at ***** Primary School. I resent your implication that i lied about not talking to various teachers about some of the things i am concerned about, and that i had written complaints about you. If you have any such proof of your allegations I am officially requesting to see the proof, under the Privacy Act. I have had some concerns about some of the practices at Manurewa West and i had voiced them briefly to Ms Taylor in passing but none of these minor issues seemed to warrant making an appointment with you. Furthermore, I beleived that these issues had been suffciently resolved. I believe in being involved in my children's schooling and try to check with their teachers how they are doing. I feel it is important to have a good rapport with the teacher so that any concerns can be dealt with together and early. However, you have made me feel that this is wrong and I resent being made to feel this way. I feel that contrary to your school policy, I have been bullied. I have been very pleased with Ms Taylor as Tobys teacher and feel she is going to be great for the year 1 and 2 children. It is also great to see more men teachers in your school and Gabriel seems to be getting on well, albeit slowly in some respects, with his new teacher and class. If you wish to discuss any of this further then my husband and I will be available on Fridays to meet you in your office. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: jaz
Date Posted: 07 March 2011 at 10:11pm
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You have a lot of concerns about this school. I would make an appointment to see the principal, you and hubby together, and raise all your concerns. If you don't feel you are getting heard maybe raise it with the board? ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: millymollymandy
Date Posted: 08 March 2011 at 7:03am
| Good luck Bizzy! Let us know how you go. |
Posted By: Lucky apple
Date Posted: 08 March 2011 at 9:09am
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Reads well.
One thought - maybe "male" teachers rather than "men teachers"? |
Posted By: GuestGuest
Date Posted: 08 March 2011 at 10:05am
| And "embarrassed" is spelt wrong (sorry, I'm a spelling nazi) |
Posted By: countingdown
Date Posted: 08 March 2011 at 10:46am
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And 'believed' is spelt wrong in this sentence:
'Furthermore, I beleived that these issues had been suffciently resolved.' You spell it correctly in the next paragraph so just a typo. Good luck. |
Posted By: AbzandH
Date Posted: 08 March 2011 at 12:55pm
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Great letter, just something minor. I'd tend to leave out the asking for proof thing. It might put the recipient on the defense (as much as he sounds like a doof) it's a little challenging. I do however feel it right to bring that up with him should you go into a meeting.
Good luck! |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 08 March 2011 at 2:24pm
thanks guys - theres no spell check on word pad and i admit i copied and pasted some of what millymollymandy said...  ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 08 March 2011 at 2:32pm
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I think it's good, and good on you for saying how you feel/felt, most people wouldn't. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: millymollymandy
Date Posted: 08 March 2011 at 4:33pm
| I can't spell for sh*%! Gotta love dyslexia. I hate that there's no spell checker on here. |
Posted By: My3Sons
Date Posted: 08 March 2011 at 7:11pm
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sounds good Bizzy!! Let us know when you get a response! ------------- Mum to Mr 10, Mr 6 and Mr 4 
 
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