Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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 Wink 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:
Delphiniumsblue · 07/04/2014 19:31

If children bring them in it is a bit mean to refuse to share it, merely because they didn't get them through school. Kumon is nothing to do with the school not being sufficient - some parents like to waste money on it.

cardibach · 07/04/2014 19:44

OP, I'm not going to shout at you because you have admitted YABU (well sort of admitted). However, you still haven't said why you were cross about the siblings being called up separately (you referred to it as being 'called up twice'). Why? it isn't 'the exact same' award as each child earned it individually. Or areal, say, piano exam certificates awarded as a group? I doubt it somehow...

Fathertedfan · 07/04/2014 19:52

One of my foster children went on the school skiing holiday a couple of years back. She got an award which I was extremely proud of - tidiest bedroom on the holiday. I've still got the certificate ...

Hulababy · 07/04/2014 19:58

I work in an infant school and I. Celebration assembly once a week we celebrate children's achievements both in and out of school.

So yes - if children bring them in we will issue them in assembly time. We have certificates handed for all manner of achievements: swimming, dance, skiing, diving, gymnastics, horse riding, karate,climbing, etc. a boy recently scouted for a big football team was celebrated. We've celebrated library reading certificates, children's university certificates, language ones, and many others from other areas.

I don't see the issue. It's all about saying well done to all those children who have been successful outside of school as well as in school.

Delphiniumsblue · 07/04/2014 20:40

Some children never do well at school so it is lovely they can have success outside and share it.

Mumoftwoyoungkids · 07/04/2014 20:52

Dd is starting school in September. I hope her school has something like this - it sounds lovely.

BerylStreep · 07/04/2014 20:56

My 6 yo DS, who really isn't very sporty at all, was thrilled to be able to get up on stage and show his skiing medal.

I'm a bit Hmm that people would be po faced about it.

wobblyweebles · 07/04/2014 20:58

I like that you are willing to admit YWBU OP.

I just wanted to say that skiing where I live is not really a posh kids thing. The ski resorts are mostly in the poorer parts of my state, and they give out free/cheap ski passes to the local school districts. They also sell ski passes really really cheap to kids who are doing well academically at any school in the state.

So I am currently encouraging my kids to do as well as possible so we can all ski cheap next year...

We have skiied almost every weekend this winter and it's cost us less than about 700 quid all in for five of us.

Pimpf · 07/04/2014 20:58

So what about if a child gets a music grading not through school, are they allowed to celebrate that? Or is that also too middle class?

OddFodd · 07/04/2014 21:03

I think its horrible for kids who can't afford/cant get them to out of school activities. Way to rub their noses in it Hmm

IdkickJilliansAss · 07/04/2014 21:03

No, that's definitely worthy of celebration Pimpf

PrincessScrumpy · 07/04/2014 21:13

Huh? Dd does gymnastics and school encourages us to bring certificates in to be called out in assembly. It's about celebrating children's achievement. Some dc will have more money than others and do you know what? It's okay, it is allowed. I had a friend at school who lived in a house with a huge swimming pool and stairs from the kitchen to the old servants quarters as well as the main stairs, I lived in a3 bed semi. We're still great friends because we never judged each other. Kids are not so bothered than parents imo

ILoveTamsinGreig · 07/04/2014 21:32

We have these assemblies once a month. There is a pair of sibling who get on my nerves a bit (or at least their mother does) because they often have shit that falls into the 'show and tell' category rather than achievement. Stuff like muscling your way to the front of the queue at a book signing or pestering actors for autographs outside west end shows. However, this is because I am a grumpy old woman and I'm sure it makes the perfectly nice kids happy.

I don't understand the difference between a skiing certificate and a swimming or karate one. They might not have had to display the same level of commitment but neither will the kid who comes back from a campsite with a 'junior ranger' certificate. I couldn't afford to go skiing but I probably could if I didn't empty my purse into my kids swimming/gymnastic/taekwando clubs. If you can take in certificates from out of school then you can take in certificates from out of school. You can't expect the head to pass a value judgement on them first.

Delphiniumsblue · 07/04/2014 22:27

It would be a grey, boring world if a child could never celebrate something because not everyone can do them. There are lots of things that I can't afford but I can still be pleased for those that can.

Hulababy · 08/04/2014 12:59

Odd food - what about things like the library book challenge? Or brownies/cubs badges? Or children's university certificates?

They don't cost much.

But is it fair to those who have parents who can't get them there?

Fwiw my school is really mixed in terms of family income - but there is no ill feeling from children. They just love to clap one another.

trixymalixy · 08/04/2014 22:16

Hmm, I guess you do have to be slightly unhinged to strap two planks to your feet and go careering down a hill!!

But really OP, plenty of others have said similar to me, if not worse.

Oh and please don't try skiing, we don't need any more people cluttering up the slopes and pushing up prices.

MoominMammasHandbag · 09/04/2014 00:17

Ah we have Celebration Assemblies every week. Affluent middle class school so masses of out of school achievements to be acknowledged. Plus Two Stars of the Week in each class who explain why they have won their award. Plus everyone who has has a birthday that week comes up and shows a few cards, talks about how they celebrated etc.

Celebration Assemblies are looooonnngg. But the kids seem to genuinely love them. Everyone gets big claps, everyone knows a bit more about everyone else. It is a bonding thing.

Caitlin17 · 09/04/2014 01:00

Sounds ridiculous. Was the certificate given by an official sports body? If not then just silly and show-offy.

Slackgardener · 09/04/2014 05:39

Assemblies sound so bloody dull don't they? Grin

Original poster
Feminine · 09/04/2014 06:45

trixy you were rude to me...that is why I singled you out.

You sound calmer now. Good!

OP posts:
Delphiniumsblue · 09/04/2014 07:25

Children love to show off, that is why they bring them in. I don't think it silly. People sometimes forget what it is like to be a child.

Delphiniumsblue · 09/04/2014 07:26

And Moomin is right, they are long, adults might find them boring, but children do like them.

chrome100 · 09/04/2014 07:27

I really don't understand why you bring yourself to care.

Delphiniumsblue · 09/04/2014 07:29

A lot if it seems to be 'sour grapes'.

Original poster
Feminine · 09/04/2014 07:33

chrome100 and I don't understand why you bothered to type that out Wink

I wondered about it, I had been asked about it by a few parents.

Thought I'd ask here, as there is a better mix of people to gage the situation.

No big deal. Just wondering.

Oh, and massive result (I feel) as I said I'd been unreasonable to think it unfair!

ages ago...

OP posts: