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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Skiing certificate handed out in assembly?

165 replies

Feminine · 07/04/2014 12:50

Little bit inspired by a thread right now...

Each week the children at our school our given certificates for things done well in school and out.

A couple of weeks back, a couple of children were re-given their skiing ones.

They had obviously already been given them during the holiday.

Anyway...a few parents (myself too a bit) thought it wasn't fair to give them out again. Most families didn't go skiing, nor will they ever!

Personally, I can't think of any thing more horrible to do during half term ...but some parents were upset.

Instead of giving the siblings their certificate together, the children were called up twice ( to get them individually)

this bit has made a few parents extra fed up, as there is precious enough time to hand out all the school achievements!

So...I don't know. I didn't think it was that cool to do it there. The whole school don't need to know about it -do they?

I haven't lost any sleep, nor will I mention to the school ...I'm wondering though and would be grateful for opinions!

OP posts:

Hoppinggreen · 07/04/2014 13:19

Whether it's skiing or whatever I think it's odd for children to receive their certificates at school for out of school activities.
It's extra weird in this case as the skiing children would have been presented with the awards during the holiday, they would then have brought them home for a bit and then taken them into school and handed them to a teacher to have them re presented in front of everyone.
Just a bit over the top IMO.

Original poster

Feminine · 07/04/2014 13:19

owl one sibling from one year group.

Then the sibling from two years under ( I think)

For exactly the same award.

I'm convinced now that it really is not that big of a deal. IRL, I glossed over it with a few parents, sympathised and moved on.

I thought here would be a good place to chew the fat a bit more!

OP posts:

Glittertwins · 07/04/2014 13:19

This isn't new either, my primary school did it and that's going back 30 odd years. I think it's nice for children to get this.

Goblinchild · 07/04/2014 13:20

'Aww Goblin they work hard to get those footy medallions.'

But my DS has AS and was always excluded from all and any football club because he couldn't cope and those running it wouldn't make any accommodation for him. So he does water sports and loves it. But some snarky snot would probably have complained if he'd brought in his certificates and awards as it is unfair to those who don't live near somewhere wet. Or they could have been pleased for him and clapped.

Twighlightsparkle · 07/04/2014 13:20

what do the other kids think?

thats what matters. I doubt any other kids will be thinking like these other parents. I suspect most of them will be "wow skiing , well donr mate!"

Original poster

Feminine · 07/04/2014 13:20

green yes, exactly ... that is what was/is grating some of us.

OP posts:

Goblinchild · 07/04/2014 13:21

'I find it odd that certificates awarded out of school are re-awarded at school.'

I have experienced this in dozens of schools. It is very common.

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 07/04/2014 13:21

Although, I think the situation you describe would only annoy me if it was constantly the same children/families receiving things. If everyone got an equal chance (e.g. skiing certificate given same importance as a cycling certificate), and it was always different children you were seeing on stage then I think I'd just be happy for them.

littleredsquirrel · 07/04/2014 13:21

All very normal at our school. One boy is up every week for various things since he is very good at a couple of sports outside of school.

Original poster

Feminine · 07/04/2014 13:21

twilight I haven't asked mine.

If I were a child still I'd just be bloody relieved I didn't have to go!

OP posts:

iseenodust · 07/04/2014 13:22

At DS's school assembly awards were directly related to school activities/achievements. If you got a skiing cert, brownie badge, man of the match award these could be taken to show and tell which was just for your own class and no parents.

trixymalixy · 07/04/2014 13:26

But surely all the ballet, karate swimming awards would also have been presented once out of school too?

You just seem to have a chip on your shoulder because it's an expensive hobby.

LackaDAISYcal · 07/04/2014 13:27

Our school has started doing this, and whilst I inititially thought , it's actually been good for my DD as she has tried really hard at swimming (where previously she was just arsing about in the water) so that she could get her next badge and take it in to school.

I think it fosters a little healthy competition. I would be a bit about an end of holiday certificate though and like you would (uncharitably thanks to my inner inverted snob) just think it was boasting.

IamInvisible · 07/04/2014 13:28

I was on holiday last week. Children were given certificates for boules football, swimming, painting, drawing, etc, etc (I got bored listening). I do hope they aren't at your school or it will be a bloody long assembly after Easter!.

I find it a bit odd. When my children were at Primary they were given certificates for things they did in school, and even then the HT had to rush to get through them all. Just how long are these assemblies?

dixiechick1975 · 07/04/2014 13:30

Surprised not the norm in many schools.

DD's school has a system that if you get an external certificate you send it in and it is presented by the head teacher to them on Friday. Parents/grandparents can attend. Everyone claps.

They also give out school certificates.

Usual are football, dancing, swimming, music but more unusual stuff too.

Children like it. All achievements are clapped - be it the 3 year old in nursery with a ducklings 1 certificate or a yr 6 with a county sporting achievement.

School is small and friendly - nice to know what others do. X is good at swimming, y is good at rugby.

TheGirlFromIpanema · 07/04/2014 13:30

YABU.

It seems a perfectly normal and nice way to celebrate children's achievements.

Original poster

Feminine · 07/04/2014 13:31

trixy no I don't actually.

I came from the perspective that it is something most children won't ever experience. I'm surprised more parents from the school don't go actually, it is not an area of deprivation. Remember, I did say it wasn't just my feelings. I've been asked about by a few of the Mums.

I'm fine with the expense bit, and like I said I don't have anyone in my family who would want to go.

Well apart from DH ( and he used to)

OP posts:

justtoomessy · 07/04/2014 13:31

God forbid a child gets praised for something they achieved, give them a sense of pride, desire to progress and wanting to keep on achieving

Children being praised for their achievements can actually lead to aspiring others.

trixymalixy · 07/04/2014 13:32

There are different levels in skiing just like in many sports and children will not be awarded the next badge up unless they have demonstrated the required skills. Of course it's an achievement, not just an end of the holiday certificate FFS.

It is common for kids to repeat a level.

dixiechick1975 · 07/04/2014 13:33

Assembly is 35/40 mins - certificates take 5 mins at end.

Only 90ish in whole school though.

Original poster

Feminine · 07/04/2014 13:34

Iam well that is it really. It is only 30 mins!

OP posts:

WooWooOwl · 07/04/2014 13:35

I don't see the problem. The primary schools I know have always had achievement assemblies where children can bring in certificates gained out of school.

It makes no difference that skiing is unaffordable for some people. Some children don't have a hope of doing brownies or cubs, or swimming or karate just because their parents can't or won't take them, it makes no difference to those children whether the activity they see their classmates doing costs £5 or £5000.

LeaveYourSisterBe · 07/04/2014 13:35

Our school has celebration assemblies once a week, the children can bring in any badges/certificates from outside etc etc and get them re-presented and a round of applause, as well as the usual school presentations. Absolutely no difference to this, cannot see the issue. Sounds like the parents are letting their green-eyed monsters take over.

At primary school many children are very unaware of how much things cost relative to other things. I bet most of the audience don't know that skiing can be an expensive holiday (though plenty of other children's families might have spent as much on a fortnight somewhere sunny, or a Florida trip), they just see that little Johnny's been skiing and got a certificate for doing it well. Presented at the same time as little Jessica's 10m badge (which she's no doubt had for a week as well), and little Jack's Beaver certificate. My children did the Sports Relief Mile the other week. We raised £15. Should I complain that the other two sets of siblings who also did it raised more?

Original poster

Feminine · 07/04/2014 13:36

trixy I take it you go skiing?

I'm not asking for serious debate. I don't think this subject warrants it at all...I'm just thinking about it. :)

OP posts:

trixymalixy · 07/04/2014 13:37

I came from the perspective that it is something most children won't ever experience.

So if a child achieved an award in climbing, for example. Something not many kids would experience would you be annoyed about that? Surely it's good for kids to see that there are other activities out there.

No, my initial thought seems to be correct, you just have a chip on your shoulder about skiing for some reason.

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