tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post3839376140320195809..comments2024-01-11T18:39:50.665+00:00Comments on Painting With Shadows: School Report IntimidationKim Ayreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02656677501116622953noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-55187831093754427712008-03-19T15:44:00.000+00:002008-03-19T15:44:00.000+00:00ouch. I don't even want to think of that.ouch. I don't even want to think of that.MaLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15307591163045223877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-35898623718450338822008-03-18T18:38:00.000+00:002008-03-18T18:38:00.000+00:00MaLady - he'll probably join the army...<B>MaLady</B> - he'll probably join the army...Kim Ayreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02656677501116622953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-36491618400510454772008-03-18T17:12:00.000+00:002008-03-18T17:12:00.000+00:00How is he going to rebel? By being the worst poss...How is he going to rebel? By being the worst possible goody-two-shoes? ;-) Seriously, I'm sure he appreciates the freedom to learn through mistakes if it comes to that.MaLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15307591163045223877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-79417731042063281532008-03-18T08:22:00.000+00:002008-03-18T08:22:00.000+00:00Kanani - I remember hearing a great talk by, I thi...<B>Kanani</B> - I remember hearing a great talk by, I think it was the guy who founded Apple. He said that while nearly every Vice President of most American businesses had a business degree, none of the CEOs did. The system teaches you how to stay in the system, not think beyond it.<BR/><BR/><B>Pat</B> - Parent's Evening is tomorrow night, but I can't see much point in going. We have a friend who's a high school teacher, and she said they never know what to say to parents of 1st years as it's all in the reports anyway<BR/><BR/><B>MikeP</B> - I did think there were a few phrases in there written in teacher code. It reminds me a bit of estate agent's descriptions of buildings - "ideal for the DIY enthusiast" being a particularly dodgy one :)<BR/><BR/><B>Mia</B> - sounds like a great system - I'd love to have been able to send my kids to something like that.<BR/><BR/>Still, don't let the formal education system prevent you from taking over the world. Global domination is in fashion at the moment<BR/><BR/><B>Sarah</B> - he was trying to make out whether the shadow under his nose was the beginings of a 'tache or just a dirty mark the other day<BR/><BR/><B>Freakazojd</B> - my mantra for Rogan, what I used to continually say to him as a baby was, "Grow up strong and healthy, be wise in the way of people and have a kind heart." <BR/><BR/>Woohoo! You're the 1st one to comment on the new photo!Kim Ayreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02656677501116622953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-15360536639090723102008-03-18T06:55:00.001+00:002008-03-18T06:55:00.001+00:00Also. GREAT new photo. I love it.Also. GREAT new photo. I love it.Freakazojdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08059402583495865454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-66918106885593692562008-03-18T06:55:00.000+00:002008-03-18T06:55:00.000+00:00Well! Well done, Rogan. And I agree with what sa...Well! Well done, Rogan. And I agree with what sam said - you are obviously allowing Rogan to stretch into whatever he wants to be and he is flourishing. What a wonderful thing, that. To me, at the start of my parenting journey, that's what I hope for with regard to my son: that he has the room to grow, that he does his personal best and that he enjoys what he is doing and who he is spending his time with. Beautiful.Freakazojdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08059402583495865454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-81612561269025225732008-03-18T06:29:00.000+00:002008-03-18T06:29:00.000+00:00i can't believe he's already started high school.....i can't believe he's already started high school.. time goes too fast sometimes.sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04668939110660039602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-62853071976721449072008-03-17T20:07:00.000+00:002008-03-17T20:07:00.000+00:00Kim,Completely agree with the not being challenged...Kim,<BR/><BR/>Completely agree with the not being challenged comment. I was an AirForce Brat in the US. 6 schools in 5 different states by the time I was in the 7th grade (12 years old). In 2nd grade I was in an "experimental" class of 1st and 2nd graders. It was not a traditional class at all. Beginning of the year we were given a stack of books and told we had to get so much done in each "class" by the end of the year. Beyond that we could do whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted. We had students drag their desks into the hall to work there. I loved to sit on the large window sill and do my work there. Another student liked to lay on the floor in the back of the room. Every student working on different things. The teacher roamed and gave whatever assistance was needed. We moved about 3/4 of the way through the year. I was tested for placement at my next school and it was determined I was on average at the 6th or 7th grade level. Oh wait, you havent learned to write yet? You're still printing? Oh then into 2nd grade you go. I don't think I learned anything new for about 5 years. I didn't really learn how to study. I never had to. Once the work became "new" again, became difficult I was thrown for a loop. I got average grades most of the time from that point on. I often wonder, and sometimes wish that we hadn't moved, that I had gotten to continue that "experimental" education. I might have taken over the world and solved all of the planets problems by now...<BR/><BR/>Mia`Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-74167773796736248942008-03-17T16:01:00.000+00:002008-03-17T16:01:00.000+00:00As someone obligated to write those comments about...As someone obligated to write those comments about students, I recognize that it is often more of a "system" than I would want it to be. <BR/><BR/>It is refreshing to be able to occasionally get to write nice things about nice students. It is frustrating when I spend time composing diplomatic and encouraging words about the poorer ones, and realizing no one will see the message and get the hint. <BR/><BR/>The people who least need to see a student report are often the only ones who take an interest in reviewing them.MikePhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11743228921368889099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-43432541388901682002008-03-17T15:23:00.000+00:002008-03-17T15:23:00.000+00:00'Actually, if you’re a parent, of course you do. I...'Actually, if you’re a parent, of course you do. It doesn’t matter how academic or otherwise your children are, they are perfect.'<BR/><BR/>Say again! Am I the only parent who used to dread Parent's Evenings.<BR/>'Does he intend to come back next year and take his O levels?' I was asked about the naughty elder one. 'Yes he bloody well does!' I almost said.Pathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01529798893653033970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-11482809258560889462008-03-17T12:53:00.000+00:002008-03-17T12:53:00.000+00:00There are just so many routes one can take, aren't...There are just so many routes one can take, aren't there? And yet, here in the US, there's only one that's acknowledged as "proper." That's the typical High School to College to Work route. They've done away with vocational education for the most part. Way too many kids out there --18 - 21 with no idea what they can do. <BR/><BR/>Good thing this year.... my son was and has been miserable in school. So the high school came up with an alternative --academics in the mornings, job training program in the afternoon, physical education on Fridays at the community college. He loved job training --well, who wouldn't? He's working at Disneyland! One of the perks is that they get in free on their off hours, so he's been overdosing with the girls going almost every weekend day and having a blast!<BR/><BR/>Yes, so many routes. We just have to make sure they know of them.Kananihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08317494343177263398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-16590039524113587802008-03-17T12:26:00.000+00:002008-03-17T12:26:00.000+00:00Conan - that's what worries me. I've never met a p...Conan - that's what worries me. I've never met a person who was truly successful in life who was a head boy. They ony ever learned how to please teachers rather than gain truly independent thought (though i'm happy for someone to disagree with me and prove me wrong)Kim Ayreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02656677501116622953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-82572366981301885402008-03-17T11:38:00.000+00:002008-03-17T11:38:00.000+00:00Well done the boy! A well-adjusted prefect or head...Well done the boy! A well-adjusted prefect or head boy in the making, by the sounds of it.Conan Drummhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12377667084973491628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-89947876211189361522008-03-17T10:17:00.000+00:002008-03-17T10:17:00.000+00:00Restaurant Gal - To be honest, one of my biggest f...<B>Restaurant Gal</B> - To be honest, one of my biggest fears of his schooling is that he's not actually challenged enough. If he finds things too easy, he's less likely to learn to overcome things when the going gets tough.<BR/><BR/><B>Mary</B> - Forging parental signatures just seemed natural. My mother once said to me, I don't care what you get up to so long as I don't get the police or angry parents knocking at the door. So if you are going to do anything dodgy, for goodness sake take precautions and don't get caught.<BR/><BR/><B>Nepharia</B> - welcome to my ramblings and thank you for taking the time to comment :)<BR/><BR/>You're right, people are always more important than thingsKim Ayreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02656677501116622953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-44494199348550835472008-03-17T01:39:00.000+00:002008-03-17T01:39:00.000+00:00It's nice that there is someone else out there tha...It's nice that there is someone else out there that thinks their children are the best things about their life. Personally, I could lose everything I've got, but if I have my entire family in tact, then I know I can always start again. <BR/><BR/>Congratulations that you have a son that is so bright and sociable. Good luck to both him and you in molding his success. :DNephariahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17463279143745492731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-20871439000200716042008-03-16T21:06:00.000+00:002008-03-16T21:06:00.000+00:00If I hadn't met Rogan, I might have assumed that y...If I hadn't met Rogan, I might have assumed that you were just one of those parents skilled at bragging about their kids in a clever, self- effacing way. But having met Rogan, I know that if anything, you're playing down his achievements: he is one smart, nice kid. And good for you, resisting the temptation to make a huge thing of it!<BR/><BR/>I never learned how to keep my parents from seeing my report card, by the way. Some of us are just crap at stealth.Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-47336540627800898302008-03-16T12:25:00.000+00:002008-03-16T12:25:00.000+00:00Having been one who got the great comments, too, u...Having been one who got the great comments, too, until I entered middle school at age 11, you are wise to applaud them and see them for what they are. Eventually, the work got harder for me, my peers took over my social life, and some not-so-great comments and grades landed on my report. I finally got it together by junior year in high school, only to flounder again my first two years in college. Ride the high marks with him, and let him know--as I know you will--that the challenging times are inevitable, and okay, too.Restaurant Galhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05145289619126354138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-15912802274963721072008-03-16T09:10:00.000+00:002008-03-16T09:10:00.000+00:00Anna - don't worry, this is entirely my own biases...<B>Anna</B> - don't worry, this is <I>entirely</I> my own biases against organised education showing<BR/><BR/><B>Sam</B> - He's also starting to beat me at Chess, Draughts and Othello, unless I've had a coffee first.<BR/><BR/><B>Carole</B> - I just love being a dad<BR/><BR/><B>TheAmpuT</B> - I'd give him double marks for that<BR/><BR/><B>FLG</B> - thanks :)Kim Ayreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02656677501116622953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-11738415246643139272008-03-15T04:02:00.000+00:002008-03-15T04:02:00.000+00:00Very cool, man. :)Very cool, man. :)Apex Zombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04831580250709824079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-70193623205811167132008-03-15T01:49:00.000+00:002008-03-15T01:49:00.000+00:00Maybe he figured out not to try to forge your sign...Maybe he figured out not to try to forge your signature but to forge teacher comments instead :-)MsAmpuTeeHeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03733762919331458954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-24036960294218077042008-03-14T22:21:00.000+00:002008-03-14T22:21:00.000+00:00It's nice that Rogan, and not the adjectives that ...It's nice that Rogan, and not the adjectives that describe him, is the most important thing to you. It's hard to not get sucked into the school pressured *ideal student* game. You seem to be doing it quite well though.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03828426520214270655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-80358712455174124522008-03-14T20:37:00.000+00:002008-03-14T20:37:00.000+00:00Well done, Rogan. He might well be getting these ...Well done, Rogan. He might well be getting these top marks, Kim, precisely because you're not pushing him as hard as many parents do. <BR/><BR/>He sounds like a fine fella with sensible parents.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-18148802924257197922008-03-14T19:55:00.000+00:002008-03-14T19:55:00.000+00:00My mother used to tell her friends she had no idea...My mother used to tell her friends she had no idea what I was talking about when she was driving me to high school. I think she can relate. <BR/><BR/>Reading your entry, however, I do wonder just how different the Scottish edumicational system is. Or are your own biases against "organized education" showing? It's not a bad thing to let your son know there are many ways of achieving success outside the system, but don't make him think he hasn't. I guess as one of those "intimidating" people (I'm slowly getting used to this label at 41) I don't want him undersold.Anna van Schurmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com