Are school events becoming family events?

[Floweryfields]

Sounds like it could be more poor management on the schools part than anything.

[little_O]

Tbh, you hear teachers complaining about lack of parental involvement. I would have thought having family there would have been positive. I can see your point about being a social gathering though. Does defeat the purpose.

I was super into athletics in school, we all had parents there cheering and supporting. In fact my grandfather would be doing my post race rub downs (former footy coach). For me having my family there was important. I knew they were cheering me on and proud of me. I always ate with them because mum had the right foods for me and its not like I ever ate with them normally at school...

I think the line could get crossed though if family detracts from the even instead of improving.

Fwiw I would be peeved about the milk down my back too

[*Efjay*]

My kids hate sport days. I go to support my children best I can, younger siblings come with me because I don't have family support to leave them with someone. I don't do day care. I have taken to just not sending them on major all day sport events. If its a single race like cross country then I am not going to go anymore. It does give them a reason to withdraw from their House group. But we have a whole heap of other issues going on that add to this so it gets complicated.

BUT in saying all that, Sport events at school should be something parents go along to & support their kids. If that means its a family event then thats what it is.

[Rouge]

Firstly I'm sorry about your mishap with strawberry milk.

Our sports events are ALWAYS family events. Yes there are gaggles of socialising going on but the school makes sure this does NOT interfere with the kids and why they are there. Our kids aren't allowed to sit with us.

I'd say it was poor planning. And I think family and sports days can work.

[Trillian]

I'm the opposite, I think it's a real shame that more families can't get to sports days. When I was a kid it was a huge thing at our school and yes, you'd have families and grandparents and younger kids all there cheering on. It was a real social day with lots of competition between sporting houses etc. At the school my DS1 goes to for high school, school sport is a HUGE thing, and I mean HUGE. when socialising with other parents the second thing they ask you after your name is what sporting house is your child in and I think that's fantastic. It creates a wonderful community and friendly rivalry at the school. Parents and extended family are always encouraged to attend and wear the appropriate house colours. At his swimming carnival it was like being at an international soccer match for all the crowds and cheering and it was a great atmosphere. I'm really looking forward to their beach carnival next friday as that is apparently a sight to behold - they have a formal march past in their house colours and everything. I can't wait.

BUT, it does sound like the overall day was a bit poorly run and I get what you mean about your presence interfering with your child. DS2 is like that - as soon as he knows I'm watching him do something, he stops what he's doing and just stands there. so I tend to hang back and not let him see me.

[nickle730]

Our school is about the entire community, not just the teachers and the children attending school. I don't believe a child has the opportunity to reach their full potential without collaboration between the school and the home. I also believe that it is very valuable for children to see their school community function effectively on a social level - that is, parents, siblings grandparents, uncles, aunts... all getting along and enjoying each other's company.

I'm a little confused at your post. I read it to indicate that you question why so many families were present at the school sports day and that you found it inappropriate for pre school aged children to be present? I wholeheartedly disagree with this sentiment, I think it is wonderful that so many families came to be a part of the day. Perhaps the school staff should have encouraged more participation from those attending, such as cheering and so on, but ultimately there is a great deal for children to learn in seeing families from their community enjoying spending time together. As for the pre schoolers... are you serious? Schools are places for children and people who have children, how could it be inappropriate for those future students to be present?

I'm sorry you had milk spilled on you, but... there's no use crying over spilled milk! Honestly, it may have been uncomfortable or inconvenient if you had to go back to work, but it's just spilled milk!

Your title is, 'Are school events becoming family events?', my response would be 'I bloody well hope so!'.

[Astrolady]

Our sports carnival, more so the R-6 side of the school, is a big family affair. Having said that though we have 400 students in that section and definitely don't have 400 parents turn up We (parents and friends committee) put on a huge BBQ that runs until after the last lunch bell has sounded and we start the BBQ of with bacon and eggs for the parents.

Now on a personal level I do find Lachlan suddenly "feels sick" so wants to come to the sausage sizzle stand. Therefore no longer competes in the days activities. That annoys me, but his teacher (last years anyway) just lets him go. Will see what happens this year later in the year.

[*Ang*]

We have 220 children at our school. It is considered a "small" school... In events like a school athletics carnival we have a huge contingent of family members who turn up to support the children. We cheer, we laugh, we shout, we socialise, we wear team colours and yes it is fun. Would I want to be excluded from coming along because I have a younger child who is not in daycare/babysat etc - bloody oath not. Would I want to be excluded because other people's children are clingy and don't want to participate as soon as they see their parents - no way!

At our carnivals the children are only allowed to be with their family members at lunch times - at all other times they sit in their faction groups where they "bond" together. We are not responsible for taking them to the toilet etc and are not allowed to visit them during the events. I would hazard a guess that your carnival was quite poorly managed.

And in relation to other family members coming along - I don't see the harm in it at all. It helps to create more of an atmosphere and more of a community feel. For the past 2 years my sister has managed to make it along to the athletics carnival and the children loved the fact that their aunty was there cheering them on.

[Jaycee]

Our school is about the entire community, not just the teachers and the children attending school. I don't believe a child has the opportunity to reach their full potential without collaboration between the school and the home. I also believe that it is very valuable for children to see their school community function effectively on a social level - that is, parents, siblings grandparents, uncles, aunts... all getting along and enjoying each other's company.

This is exactly what I wanted to say! To me, being part of the community and participating in community events is a big part of learning as well. At our school (a smallish rural school), younger siblings are encouraged to come in to the classroom and explore, they're encouraged to go and sit on the mat with the children at the end of the day etc.

Sure it can get a little chaotic, and perhaps your school could of managed things a little better, but I really think it is extremely important to have family input, not just from parents, but from siblings of all ages, and extended family too!

[diannescruffy]

Our school is also big on Community involvement in school events and when it's well organised it's absolutely fantastic for the kids and for everyone else. Do you know any parents on the School Council? I'd bring it up with them so that further events can be better managed.

Regards,
Dianne

[~Kim~]

Our school population is a little bit different than most city schools. Here the emphasis is on attendance first, then participation and community.
Our sports days are family events, and families are encouraged to dress in team colours and cheer, but the kids have to sit with their house until lunch time. However, there is a core group of parents only at every event. All the kids know us at least lol. Even my little kids are encouraged to join in the carnival events that the infants school do.
I also have trouble with DD1 participating when I'm there but the school is small, and her teachers are great. I want her to see that we can both have a great time.

PS I hope your DD still enjoyed the day

[Sopdet]

In a previous work place, our whole team used to go along to school sports day to cheer the kids on. We would turn up, cheer for the races and then leave. The kids were expected to keep in their house groups. Sometimes we would stick around to cheer for the kids friends, who we knew didn't have parents available to be there. This was primary school.

My mother would make an effort to be at all the kids sports events in primary school, including extended family (friends of the family & grandkids/cousins). She would also go to all our extra-curricular sporting events (hockey & netball for the girls, union, soccer & cricket for the boys). My dad used to take time off work to come to mine, he was lucky to work for a company that was very family friendly.

[fionas]

One of my fondest memories is of my mum running alongside me in the sack race cheering me on and almost knocking over other people. That's so out of character for her (very placid person, antithesis of the 'pushy parent) that it's comical. It was also the only athletic event I ever won so I peaked at five

So yep, I'm all for family going to sports days and for younger siblings going (I'll have to take DD2). Agree with others about it being poorly organised.