to think kids should leave school without all this fuss?

[Newcupboards]

Leavers' Assemblies where every last ounce of emotion is wrung out of kids, parents and teachers with Year 6 murdering singing 'Slipping Thru My Fingers' whilst photographs of them from Reception to current day are projected onto the wall.

Then there's the Leavers' Proms! Bloody tacky American import

In my day we had a quick mention in morning prayers (primary) and a disco without a limosine and the same at secondary. Now it's squeals and emotional incontinence.

Can't we just get back a bit of British stiff upper lip and get on with life changes without making such a drama.

[BuntyPenfold]

We had nothing at all. No acknowledgement made in any way.

I think the new way is nicer.

[SkinnybitchWannabe]

I think its all a pile of old crap tbh. Proms are awful, most of the girls look like my big fat gypsy wedding rejects.

[BuntyPenfold]

They are only 11, aren't they?

[Arisbottle]

My children have all had a disco or a prom, not sure of the difference.

DD2 has hers next Friday, she will wear a dress she already has and will walk there.

It is most the prom/ disco that is the problem it is daft parents buying stupid stuff

[JakeBullet]

Dont starte off. ..a massive fecking stretch limo turned up at the school this afternoon fot some of the Y6 girls.


OTT...much!

[Newcupboards]

Blueandwhitelover - just shake them by the hand, or give them a fond pat on the shoulder and wish them well in their new school, tell them to work hard, then get on with binning your classroom displays.

[LaurieFairyCake]

I think we should celebrate the passing of life in every way.

I have no photographs, no memories really of the 8 schools I attended - and the 20 plus house moves.

If that leaves me mawkish, sentimental, and nostalgic at 41 - so be it.

Better to remember the passing of every day than go quietly into that long goodnight, unmarked, unnoticed.

(Disclaimer: I've had 3 glasses)

[miffybun73]

YANBU, it's absolutely ridiculous.

[EvilTwins]

I went to the Yr 11 prom last night (teacher) It was lovely. Most of the girls looked very elegant, and the boys were all very smart. They have out awards (most likely to be prime minister etc) had a buffet and a disco and enjoyed themselves immensely. What's wrong with it?? You're all miserable

[LittleSporksBigSpork]

I'm American, we did not do proms or dances or discos or much else at the end of elementary school. That's completely a British thing.

[imademarion]

BlueandWhite, what a remarkably lovely person you are.

Laurie, I could have written your post myself, and it's the unfinished unacknowledged sadness of all those leavings that cause me to don uncontrollably every end of term.

That, and the realisation if how quickly these precious moments go.

Mawkish Motherfucker T-Shirts available when I buy the fabric pens...

[imademarion]

Sob, not don!

[noblegiraffe]

At secondary we have a massive fuss about Y11 prom, the girls spend the whole year planning their dresses, kids turn up in limos, tractors, ice cream vans. Tearful farewells, speeches, signings of books and shirts.


Then most of them bloody turn up again in September for sixth form.

[AmazingBouncingFerret]

It's not very, very new though is it? I remember a big tear stained leaver's play when I left first school (can't remember the year - early 90's)

We also had a leaver's dance back in 2000 when I left secondary school. Some people went all out. I made do with a dress from topshop (size fucking six, could probably fit it on one thigh now) and getting off my face.

I like the idea of award ceremonies and big dressing up. I look forward to when DD does it.

[AmazingBouncingFerret]

And yes to the year 6 leavers. When DS and DD leave their primary school they'll be leaving teachers and pupils they have known since they were 3 years old. That's a big thing for them.

[chocoluvva]

DS' year group trouped into the leavers' assembly led by a former pupil on the bagpipes (as if they were military heroes or royalty).

Each child read a carefully vetted and sometimes censored 'memory' and they all sang 'Memories' from Andrew LLoyd Webber's 'Cats'.

[NoComet]

YABU
Several of DD2's bunch were going to different schools and they wanted to say good bye properly. They did an activity together not a disco (small school, it would be a bit of a lame dance).

DD1 is looking forward to her prom, she's an artistic sort, ball gowns appeal far more than high fashion.

Anyhow, they have to have something formal, long gone are the days when the HT says "I know where you lot are off to, don't come back to school until bus time. You are not to set a bad example to the younger ones".

We of course spent the afternoon in the pub and I was indeed the worse for wear by bus time.

[HenWithAttitude]

I'm envisaging a whole load of limousines blocking the road outside school on the last day. It's gross. Naff and following the herd preciousness

Other than that...I'm on the fence

[Secretswitch]

I have to agree with LittleSporks. I am currently living in the US. There has not been any of these gratuitous leaving ceremonies here. The senior high school prom is a big deal but that does not happen til grade 12. I'm afraid you cannot blame the Anericans for this peculiar activity.

[VodkaKnockers]

When I left primary, the class went on a day trip to Millport. Was great fun.

No big ceremony or fuss.

Leaving secondary, we had the Leavers Ball in a hotel that we had to fund ourselves

[SandStorm]

DD left primary 5 years ago so not that long in the grand scheme of things. There was a leavers' service (CoE school) and a picnic in the park organised by the parents after school on the last day. We all brought our own food and drink and one of the dad's was on BBQ duty. Fab time had by all and it's since become a bit of a tradition.

[CoolStoryBro]

Another one in the US vouching for the Prom being a Junior and Senior activity only (ie Lower and Upper VI). You can blame the US for many things but I do find them much more sticklers for activities being age appropriate.

I blame MTV!!

[CaptainSweatPants]

Oh god I'll blub at 'one more step along the world we go '

[LynetteScavo]

I am actually quite excited having seen a leavers hoody with the names of all of Y6 on the back.

Limousines just don't seem to happen (thank God!) at DCs school. I've seen on FB some DC have been to their infant school leavers disco in a limousine. Yes, 6 and 7 year olds. It will be nursery DC next.

[ThePowerof3]

Me too Captainsweatpants