During the school years the 'school report' has always featured heavily in my household on its arrival. It signalled whether the child/children were working in school and more importantly to me, it signalled whether or not they were behaving in school. I always checked this part, the behaviour, of the report first. It was first and foremost the most important part of the schooling year. Doing the best that they could do was the main academia achievement I ever expected. There was never a need to excel other than to reach the best of their capabalities. But I always wanted to know that they behaved in the classroom and within the school environment (as with all environments in general). Good manners and good behaviour take people a long way in life.
There were reports which showcased excellent results. There were reports which showcased room for imporvement in results. There were reports that told me 'he/they could do better'. There were reports that told me 'he/they were being lazy'. On arrival of each school report over the past 19 years, there were groundings when poor behaviour was present. There was encouraged study time when results weren't to the teachers satisfaction. And there was always praise and treats when the reports showcased that the behaviour was good and results were what was expected and more.
At no time was there need to complain to the school/s. I was fortunate and am very aware of this.
The school report always taught me something new about my child/children. Sometimes I discovered something that the boy/boys excelled at, and which I had no idea about. At times, I discovered the boy/boys had an interest in something I knew nothing about. And at times I was so proud my heart almost burst.
What I learned through each school report was that the teacher/s got to know a side to my child/children that I didn't know existed. These people, (the teachers), were spending more time with my boy/s than I was on a daily basis. Especially during the primary school years.
So often over the past 19 years I have heard other parents complain about the school, the teachers, and the methods of teaching. I beg to differ. Each and every teacher in my children's life was inspirational in so many different ways. They each instilled a trait, or enhanced a trait, in my boys.
There were reports which showcased excellent results. There were reports which showcased room for imporvement in results. There were reports that told me 'he/they could do better'. There were reports that told me 'he/they were being lazy'. On arrival of each school report over the past 19 years, there were groundings when poor behaviour was present. There was encouraged study time when results weren't to the teachers satisfaction. And there was always praise and treats when the reports showcased that the behaviour was good and results were what was expected and more.
At no time was there need to complain to the school/s. I was fortunate and am very aware of this.
The school report always taught me something new about my child/children. Sometimes I discovered something that the boy/boys excelled at, and which I had no idea about. At times, I discovered the boy/boys had an interest in something I knew nothing about. And at times I was so proud my heart almost burst.
What I learned through each school report was that the teacher/s got to know a side to my child/children that I didn't know existed. These people, (the teachers), were spending more time with my boy/s than I was on a daily basis. Especially during the primary school years.
So often over the past 19 years I have heard other parents complain about the school, the teachers, and the methods of teaching. I beg to differ. Each and every teacher in my children's life was inspirational in so many different ways. They each instilled a trait, or enhanced a trait, in my boys.
Maybe I'm just a very fortunate parent in that, along the 19 year journey that I have travelled through the schooling years has been authentic. But I firmly believe that allowing the teachers to take control and maintain that control has assisted the boys to become the young men that they are today. They have influenced them in ways that I could never have done. They have only served to enhance the manners that I sowed the seed for. They have served to develop the benefit of education I have encouraged. And they have nurtured the ability that each and every one of the boys possessed within.
Those school reports have helped fuel all aspects of my children's development, academically and personally.
Just recently I received my last ever school report. It reassured me that the youngest of my three boys is doing the very best that he can do. But it also brought to my attention that he can still do that 'little bit more'. He can still strive to achieve that higher grade. But now, it is down to him. The teaching staff at both primary and secondary level have done their job well. They have encouraged him and steered him in the right direction.
Just recently I received my last ever school report. It reassured me that the youngest of my three boys is doing the very best that he can do. But it also brought to my attention that he can still do that 'little bit more'. He can still strive to achieve that higher grade. But now, it is down to him. The teaching staff at both primary and secondary level have done their job well. They have encouraged him and steered him in the right direction.
Now as he sets out on the 'home sprint' towards Leaving Cert 2016, it is all down to him. It's down to him to put in the extra study. It's down to him to burn the midnight oil. And it's down to him as to whether he gets the desired points in August.
The school report has helped me get to know my children in a variety of ways. The school report has enabled me to keep on top of my children's development. And the school report has allowed me to acknowledge the huge impact that the schools, teachers and the education system has had on my children. As the last school report arrived just a few weeks ago, I read it with a tear in my eye, but with huge pride in my heart. The tear showcases the sadness I feel for the end of this very important landmark in my children's lives. The pride is for the outstanding work of all the teachers that I, and my children, hav encountered along the way. The teachers that have instilled a confidence in my boys, a sense of worth in my boys and for pointing them in the right direction in life. These people, the teachers haven't only taught my boys how to add, substract, how to read and write, they have taught them how to behave, to appreciate and to integrate. They have taught them how to live well.
For that I thank them. And I thank them for all those school reports. Those reports that reported to me just who and what my children are, and will be.
Never underestimate those sometimes dreaded school reports. I have a collection of 19 years worth. And I wouldn't part with them for all the tea in China!
The school report has helped me get to know my children in a variety of ways. The school report has enabled me to keep on top of my children's development. And the school report has allowed me to acknowledge the huge impact that the schools, teachers and the education system has had on my children. As the last school report arrived just a few weeks ago, I read it with a tear in my eye, but with huge pride in my heart. The tear showcases the sadness I feel for the end of this very important landmark in my children's lives. The pride is for the outstanding work of all the teachers that I, and my children, hav encountered along the way. The teachers that have instilled a confidence in my boys, a sense of worth in my boys and for pointing them in the right direction in life. These people, the teachers haven't only taught my boys how to add, substract, how to read and write, they have taught them how to behave, to appreciate and to integrate. They have taught them how to live well.
For that I thank them. And I thank them for all those school reports. Those reports that reported to me just who and what my children are, and will be.
Never underestimate those sometimes dreaded school reports. I have a collection of 19 years worth. And I wouldn't part with them for all the tea in China!
