Secondary Considerations

[Kleio]

There's a high absence rate on those days. If you choose not to do the activities they cook/craft in school or can walk to the beach for an ice cream (and pay £3 for the privilege)

[Luce]

Yeah, we have that option but it just causes a bit of haves and have-nots. Essentially there are 3 choices; £££s or ££s or free - gives choice, of course, but really sets the kids apart from each other.

[Kleio]

That's exactly how it feels here. I'm not a 'have' but I can just about get by without them missing out. So many that can't just don't turn up.

[Kenickie]

I can imagine it feels shit but honestly, I remember a similar situation with a trip abroad at my school. I won't lie, I was really pissed off with my parents for not being able to afford it, for a bit, but actually only one of my proper friends ended up going as the rest of us got the same answer when we brought the form home, so I got over it quickly.

And it was the kids who already went abroad with their parents that were the only ones to go, so I really don't buy the great opportunity these trips afford and agree that they just shouldn't be offered in schools as it's so divisive.

They must be a bit of a staff jolly too. I mean, obviously I'd rather holiday without a horde of teenagers but it's a free trip and must be quite fun otherwise some teachers wouldn't be so keen to do it?!

[Pippedydeadeye]

Absolutely, Ken.

[Ruby]

I have no idea why schools do it because they're absolutely not a staff jolly. It's my idea of hell, which is good because I don't agree with expensive school holidays either.

See also; work experience that's arranged by parents.

[sally maclennane]

You couldn't pay me enough to take a group of teenagers anywhere, let alone overseas. The level of responsibility would be horrible, I'd never sleep!

[Kleio]

See also; work experience that's arranged by parents.

I have that fun to come! Although, I *might* already have it organised for next year for Cube.

[Lily]

I can imagine it feels shit but honestly, I remember a similar situation with a trip abroad at my school. I won't lie, I was really pissed off with my parents for not being able to afford it, for a bit, but actually only one of my proper friends ended up going as the rest of us got the same answer when we brought the form home, so I got over it quickly.

Same here. We had ski trips but I never even bothered asking my parents as I knew they couldn't afford it and a lot of friends did the same. The French trip we did with our class was much more affordable and rewarding! You do get over things like that, especially if they're just a jolly rather than educational.

Poor Betty, this girl needs hanging up by her hair. :notaparent:

[TracyA]

Poor Betty, did you get a call back?

I remember the activities week when eldest was at high school , I believe they had loads of other stuff going on at school for the ones who didn’t go. I don’t remember it being such a big thing when youngest was there , I think it might have just been a couple of days , rather than the whole week.

I remember eldest hassling us to pay the deposit for a school trip just at the time OH was waiting to hear if he would be made redundant ( he was). Teens can be pretty relentless when they have FOMO.

I’d imagine Iceland will out of budget for a lot of his friends too kleio.

[Glint]

Well, it’s all happening for real.

S has come home with a letter telling him his registration class for next year. They have 2 bump up days next week :eek:

Did you get any response from school, kleio?

[Pippedydeadeye]

Chunk has uniform try on next week & the chance to find out his mentor.

[Texaco Shirley]

We’re at the other end. L has a week of GCSEs left before leaving school for college :eek:

[Little My]

Oh wow, Tex!

Does S have any good friends in his reg class, Glint?

I remember being so excited about my high school uniform.

We have nothing happening until the end of August. R gets two half-days of high school introduction, which is two weeks before schools go back. I hope they get to pick a locker during the intro, because it would be nice for her to learn where everything is in relation to that.

[Glint]

Oh Tex! What’s he planning on studying?

I’ve ordered S his blazer, so hopefully he will wear it more than not.

He has one pal, and a couple of girls (still urgh) in his registration class and a couple more friends in practical classes that he knows of.

[Texaco Shirley]

Blazers are absolute compulsory for mine.

He’s going to agricultural college. Maybe it was inevitable growing up next to a farm

[Glint]

Is it a general farming course, or something more niche? Our local agriculture college had some different courses.

Blazers are not compulsory, but strongly recommended however you see lots of kids without them.

[Texaco Shirley]

It’s a city and guilds in agriculture so not particularly niche.

[Glint]

That should give him a good grounding before he decides if he wants to specialise.

[Texaco Shirley]

Hopefully yes. I don’t think he really knows what he wants to do eventually beyond working outdoors.