My 8yr old didn't want to go to school this morning and his reason was because he doesn't like the teacher they have on wed & thurs "she's horrible & shouts alot".

I went into the realms about how teachers shout if you kids mess about etc etc and he came out with a real corker ....

A few weeks ago they started to learn about all things Australian. The teacher was apparently going round the class to ask each kid to tell her what they knew. When she came to mine he replied "that he doesn't know much as he hasn't been here long and is from England" He said she then called him a STUPID POM !! smirked and then walked off and now he doesn't like her because he said she made him feel silly ... and yes the other kids heard her !!

I was really shocked by the fact that a TEACHER said this to him !!!

So the dilemma is do I report her ??? or have a quiet word in her ear ???

What would you do ???

I'd report her, after all your just a 'Stupid Pom'

Me too

I'd report her, after all thats how we do it in England and after all as Wendy said your just a 'Stupid Pom'

I would report her

The use of "Pom" was made in a derogatory manner and your son has been emotionally abused. The have a register for such things

Hope the lad feels better knowing its not just him and that behaviour is not tolerable.

Report her.

I wouldn't give her the courtesy of speaking to her quietly on the side, if she is willing to call your child a stupid pom what would her attitude be to you?

AND even if you take out the POM, what teacher calls a child STUPID?

Just keep yourself calm when you report it, even if you are 100% completely in the right about something it usually doesn't help your case if you lose your temper (even if you are well entitled to).

I'd go in and speak to her. Clarify things then report her if you are not happy with the outcome.

Make a complaint to the school principle, say you want an aplogy or you will take your kid to another school.

Is there any sort of 'grievance' policy at the school and if so, what is it? Just go on a little bit of caution... you don't want the school closing ranks and then you'll be unable to get anywhere....
A meeting with the head and your son with you seems a good idea... for a start.
As in all cases where you have to speak to the head, back it up with a letter detailing what you discussed and CC that to the board of Governors so that they're in the know about it all.

I personally wouldn't speak to the teacher ... there's no way she'd admit she'd said it anyway, and you might get the sweet talk thing and come away feeling worse.

Aww, what a cow!!! i would definatley report her.

But it is his word against her's, i wonder who they will believe

Have a word with her first, see what you can make out of it. Then decide what to do.

I'd report her. Even without the Pom bit she should never have called your child stupid.

Report her. That was incredibly unprofessional behaviour. No wonder your lad doesn't want to go to school.

I would go and speak to her first. It was a stupid comment to make, especially in todays overly PC world, but perhaps, (just maybe), it was said in a 'tongue-in-cheek' cheery kind of way. Maybe she called him a 'silly little Pom' of something similar and being a wee boy it would certainly be taken as 'stupid Pom'. I'm not making excuses for her, I just think that speaking to her directly would be a better approach than going over her head and reporting her. You are living in Australia now and that is the way Aussies tend to approach things, by going to the source of the problem and dealing with it. It was more than likely a silly innocent remark and it is better to tell her directly that is was taken more seriously than she obviously realised. She will appreciate your openess about it and hopefully make amends. If you don't like the response you get, then yes, you should go and speak to the Headmaster about it. I'm sure it will all work out fine.

I agree with you here - report her, regardless of the POM bit she should never have called a child stupid - that is shocking.

Hope your little un not too hurt by this Sel

God that is terrible.
I wouldn't give her the satisfaction of a quiet chat, report her to the head and if that doesn't get you anywhere, do they have a board of governor's as they do in the UK? if so speak to them.
Hope he's ok, poor little mite.

Cow bag, how not to give a child confidence in school, i think i would have a word with her (Though i bet she'll deny it) and nowing me i would have to ask if she still has shackle marks , then i would go to the head of the school and report her, but thats just me.