Class EU8’s end-of-term report: could do better

Here's a quick peek at the classteacher's end of term notes from the new pupils' class - plus comments from the school inspector and headmaster.

"S. Tonnier is the smallest in the class. Her brains are marred by a smug streak and she tends to rest on her laurels. Her growth spurt can make her a bit overheated. If she wants to stay top of the class, she will need to organise herself better.

"L. Atvyear seems a bit confused. She's growing very fast, but seems a bit out of kilter sometimes. She has spent a lot of time in Ireland picking mushrooms this year, which hasn't helped her school work. She needs to manage her money better and make better use of her brains.

"L. Thwaynier has had trouble keeping herself organised. Some of her friends outside school have had a bad influence on her which has hurt her work. She needs to concentrate more and have more self-confidence.

"P. O'Landde is the biggest girl in the class and has tremendous potential. I hope her frequent trips abroad have given her an idea of the high standards that can be reached with proper effort and organisation. Her passion for history is commendable, but it needs to be matched by a more fair-minded approach if she is to argue convincingly.

"C. Zech is a hardworking and clever girl from a successful family who should be coming top of the class, not bumping along in the middle. A rather self-indulgent streak, coupled with complacency and indecision, have let her down so far.

"S. Loffarkia has been a star pupil in recent years but has had a very bad term, developing a very hostile attitude to other pupils, and a baffling lack of interest in school work. If she carries on, she will be in serious trouble with both the school and her classmates.

"H. Ongarie has some money worries at the moment, which is surprising given her mathematical abilities. She insists that she does not need outside help, but next term will be a challenge for her. She has done well not to respond to Sloane's childish teasing.

"S. Lovnier has performed satisfactorily this term as usual, but continues to disappoint in her cautious and sometimes closed-minded approach to school work. She needs to start concentrating now for her big exam in 2008."

The inspector writes: "The class teacher's assessments strike me as patronising and unfair. All eight students come from extremely troubled backgrounds: they spent their formative years in abusive households where initiative and courage were penalised. They have done extremely well to catch up to the standards required in this school.

"Furthermore, any weaknesses in their performance pale in comparison with other classes in the school. The so-called top class in particular strikes me as a bunch of lazy rich kids who are quite unwilling to work properly.

"Most of the EU8 class also live in a bad neighbourhood and in some cases suffer bullying outside school."

The headmaster writes: "I agree with both the teacher and the inspector. This class is doing well in the circumstances, although it could do even better. I am worried about the school's security, and I am trying to get the trustees - the rich families who founded the school - to take this more seriously.

"But I want to enlarge the class, bringing in Rowena and Burdette next year and others after that. To get the trustees' consent, this class must be star performers. On current form, they are not."

• Edward Lucas is central and eastern European editor for The Economist

Here's a quick peek at the classteacher's end of term notes from the new pupils' class - plus comments from the school inspector and headmaster.

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