Seaford parents told off by teachers for school gate swearing (From The Argus)
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Seaford parents told off by teachers for school gate swearing
12:04pm Wednesday 10th October 2012 in News By Anna Roberts, Crime reporter
A headteacher has been forced to scold parents for swearing in front of primary school children.
Jon Reynard, head of Seaford Primary School, said he was tipped off about the “inappropriate behaviour and very inappropriate language” at the school gate by concerned mothers and fathers.
In a letter to parents, he described the incidents as “unacceptable”.
He wrote: “I would respectfully request that all adults |act as role models for the children of our school at all times.”
He told The Argus: “This is the first time we have had reports of this in my nine years – it has never happened before.
“We had a couple of anonymous reports from parents who were concerned that their children could have heard the language.
“Children pick things up and we do not want them picking up inappropriate language so I felt it was appropriate to inform parents.”
He added that he had his suspicions about those responsible, but declined to name them or detail what was said.
Parents of pupils at the Wilkinson Way school,which is run by East Sussex County Council, said they were shocked by the warning.
Heidi French, 23, of Connaught Road, has a five-year-old son, Riley, at the school.
She said: “I was shocked when I saw it on the newsletter, although I don’t know who is involved. You don’t want children to hear swear words.
“Nothing has been said among any of the parents I know, although there are a lot of well-to-do parents who have children at this school so perhaps they complained.”
Another mother, who asked not to be named, added: “I saw the warning and was very surprised – there has never been anything like this before.
“It makes me wonder if it is some- one who has not had a child at the school before.
“It was a real shock as most of the parents are pleasant, but I would not want my child to hear very inappropri- ate language.”
A third mother, who also asked to remain anonymous, said: “I got an email telling me about it and I was very surprised.
“It is not appropriate – children pick things up and I would not want them picking up bad language.”
Comments(18)
s&k
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12:27pm Wed 10 Oct 12
vive_et_vivat
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12:32pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Goldenwight
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1:05pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Now, while I rarely use strong language and certainly wouldn't in front of young children, let's look at the above comment again- if the reports are anonymous, how can we know that they were indeed from parents? Or that they did, indeed, happen? Nothing like this has happened in the last nine years, remember.
l 2010
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1:17pm Wed 10 Oct 12
JimP
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1:18pm Wed 10 Oct 12
vive_et_vivat wrote:So vive_et_vivat is your real name then?! I can't find you in the phone book...
I'm surrised that the people concerned who heard the bad language did not remonstrate, in a polite manner, to the "Adults" concerned. If that didn't work, THEN inform the appropriate member of staff. Even more worrying is that some people wish to remain anonymous -do they not have the courage of their convictions or are they concerned about something more sinister? Well done the young lady who put a name to her comments
vive_et_vivat
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1:33pm Wed 10 Oct 12
JimP wrote:Shame you have nothing constructive to comment re: the article. Couldn't find JimP in the phone book, either!
vive_et_vivat wrote:So vive_et_vivat is your real name then?! I can't find you in the phone book...
I'm surrised that the people concerned who heard the bad language did not remonstrate, in a polite manner, to the "Adults" concerned. If that didn't work, THEN inform the appropriate member of staff. Even more worrying is that some people wish to remain anonymous -do they not have the courage of their convictions or are they concerned about something more sinister? Well done the young lady who put a name to her comments
poppyoscoe
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1:55pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Until parents realise that how they behave educates their children on how to behave themselves the better.
And sorry chieftan11 you can't have Mr Reynard in Worthing - we would like to keep him at our school please!!
kkj
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2:08pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Goldenwight wrote:If use of inappropriate language is reported, does it really matter if those reporting it are parents or not, or report anonymously?
We had a couple of anonymous reports from parents who were concerned that their children could have heard the language.
Now, while I rarely use strong language and certainly wouldn't in front of young children, let's look at the above comment again- if the reports are anonymous, how can we know that they were indeed from parents? Or that they did, indeed, happen? Nothing like this has happened in the last nine years, remember.
If it didn't happen, are you suggesting that there's some sort of conspiracy by the anonymous parents (or not) to get the head to waste his time sending out letters? Or what?
Methinks someone has too much time on their hands.
contentedmummy
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3:31pm Wed 10 Oct 12
vive_et_vivat wrote:I agree but some people just don't like confrontation, especially if it leads to more bad language! It is a shame the headmaster is the one that has to put the sign up but good on him for taking a stand. I'm afraid I use bad language and have had a problem with my 4 year old repeating it but am trying hard to kick the habit, as it's not nice at all.
I'm surrised that the people concerned who heard the bad language did not remonstrate, in a polite manner, to the "Adults" concerned. If that didn't work, THEN inform the appropriate member of staff. Even more worrying is that some people wish to remain anonymous -do they not have the courage of their convictions or are they concerned about something more sinister? Well done the young lady who put a name to her comments
Fairfax Sakes
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4:03pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Charlie Oscar
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4:45pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Charlie Oscar
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4:45pm Wed 10 Oct 12
NickBrt
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5:38pm Wed 10 Oct 12
The Real Phil
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7:12pm Wed 10 Oct 12
vive_et_vivat wrote:The kind of people who demonstrate this kind of behaviour in front of children are more likely to be the kind of people who would resort to violence should they be challenged. It is more sensible to hand the problem over to a more appropriate authority to deal with the situation. It would be bad for a child to hear such language, but it would be much worse for them to see their parents being punched or kicked to the ground.
I'm surrised that the people concerned who heard the bad language did not remonstrate, in a polite manner, to the "Adults" concerned. If that didn't work, THEN inform the appropriate member of staff. Even more worrying is that some people wish to remain anonymous -do they not have the courage of their convictions or are they concerned about something more sinister? Well done the young lady who put a name to her comments
Newmoongirl
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7:50pm Wed 10 Oct 12
A polite reminder that grown ups are role models for school children isnt a bad thing.
Roger Francais
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2:59pm Thu 11 Oct 12
Nosfaratu
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6:03pm Thu 11 Oct 12
Roger Francais wrote:Or ! indeed less intelligent, as Genes do not denote intelligence, unless there is a degree of in-breeding.
The main problem is a lot of the parents are not much more mature, intelligent or indeed older that of their children.
Chieftain11 says...
12:21pm Wed 10 Oct 12