
When dad-of-two Brendan*, attended his youngest daughter’s kindergarten orientation he was not prepared for the battle-ready attitude of parents who had already ‘told the school’ which teacher and class they wanted for their child.
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Brendan tells Mamamia that when his eldest child, Tom, enrolled to start school back in January 2016, he had no real idea of what to expect at the kindergarten orientation.
“We were just pleased to be there as we knew this particular public school had a great reputation locally.
“Tom’s orientation began with an introductory session and speeches from teachers and the principal that communicated the clear message of ‘trust us to do our jobs’.
“My wife Lisa and I shared the attitude of only intervening or advocating for our son when we absolutely felt it was necessary, which has been hardly ever as we are very happy with the school.”
It was after a similar set of speeches at his daughter Claudia’s orientation in December 2019, that he began chatting with a group of parents he knew who also had older kids at the school.