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Original poster

School Christmas Hols - Orders from New Head Teacher

152 replies

Bookworm13 · 19/12/2016 10:45

In the scheme of things, this isn't of world shattering importance but it really annoyed me!
We live in Scotland and my two teenage sons officially finish up for the school Xmas hols on Wed 21st ...could they not have followed other areas of the UK and allowed the kids to finish up on Fri instead?!
I've lost count of the amount of frazzled parents/kids I've spoken to in the last few days and my eldest has got his Higher prelims starting on 5 Jan.
They don't seem to do much work the last few days anyway - but what was rather annoying, was that their new headteacher sent out a snotty e-mail at the end of last week, ordering parents to make their kids attend on the last day - even though the school finishes early and all they would be doing is watching a concert.
The previous HT (who was a lovely man) never issued any letters of this sort at all (and especially in that tone)
Judging by the reduced numbers of kids going into school this morning, it would seem his orders are being ignored. Even the local primary school was significantly quieter today.
My two have gone in today, have said they are going into school tomorrow but asked me if they could stay off on Wed and I said that wasn't a problem.
Why can't there be a bit more commonsense about these things - and where is the Christmas spirit?!
Sorry for the rant....! X

OP posts:
StillRabbit · 19/12/2016 13:50

I'm in SE London and work in a school. My son finishes slightly earlier than normal on Wednesday. My school finishes normal time on Wednesday. We will both be back on 3rd January. Children in my school have normal lessons right up to end of term but have already performed the Carol and nativity shows and are having hour Christmas parties this afternoon. Wednesday afternoon will be the end of term assembly, no film watching in any school I've worked in.....

flowery · 19/12/2016 13:50

If 'common sense' extends to not being open the minimum number of days each year, schools don't have the option to exercise it as you seem to think they should.

Your new HT obviously has reason to believe that parents in your area think attendance is optional at certain times of year. He is quite rightly pre-empting that by reminding parents that it in fact is not. Just as it is not optional for teachers. It is not 'snotty' to inform parents who clearly intend to encourage their children to truant that attendance is compulsory and expected.

What a shame that he feels the need to do that! I feel sorry for the man, coming into a job where parents need even the basics pointing out to them, rather than being able to get on with the important stuff.

if you plan to allow your children to truant, you lose any right at all to complain when it is pointed out to you that that is what you are doing.

We finish on Tuesday in Cambridgeshire, by the way.

shouldwestayorshouldwego · 19/12/2016 14:01

Could two of mine take their place? They broke up on Friday. I still have work (I work from home) and wrapping to do and we're already onto the second Harry Potter DVD. Other one finishes on Wed.

The80sweregreat · 19/12/2016 14:02

our local primary finish Wednesday normal time.
One secondary school in the area finished on Friday lunchtime. The other one in the area breaks up Wednesday too.
not sure who makes the rules, I thought it was the council but someone said it was the school ( primary is an academy I think?)
everyone was moaning though!! roads were a bit quieter today though!

Topseyt · 19/12/2016 14:06

I am in Essex. I only have DD3 still at school. She finishes at lunchtime tomorrow and will certainly be going in.

Of course children should attend school on the last day of term. If told they don't need to bother then what sort of a crappy parenting message is that? You are effectively condoning them bunking off.

Stop complaining about the headteacher doing his job properly. Just listen to yourself!!

Spam88 · 19/12/2016 14:18

It's no wonder the head is sending a reminder that attendance is compulsory if there are parents with an attitude like yours saying it's 'no problem' for your kids to stay off school if they don't fancy going in Confused

gabsdot · 19/12/2016 14:20

Surely if parents are frazzled, having the kids safely out of the way in school is ideal.
mine finish on Thursday and I'm enjoying having a few mornings without them around to get things done.

gruffaloshmuffalo · 19/12/2016 14:43

Here DS finishes on Wednesday at regular time. Today is his Christmas party, tomorrow it's parent story time in the morning then panto Tuesday afternoon for him. No idea what he's doing on Wednesday but he'll be going as normal.

Glastonbury · 19/12/2016 14:43

Ours finished on Friday. They should attend until the school officially breaks up. It gives the wrong message to your children to let them stay off.

MistresssIggi · 19/12/2016 15:35

Some of the nicest conversations I have with pupils are during informal, not-really-working-because-there's-one-day-to-go times. Pupils and teachers see each other in a different light and you can actually chat about their interests - this all helps when you try to get them to work again in January.

ChippyDucks · 19/12/2016 15:36

My dc don't finish up until 2.30 on Friday. It's their school concert tonight and they will be doing fuck all in school this week. However, they're still going and not just because I've not finished shopping yet

MrsMattBomer · 19/12/2016 16:46

1PM finish here for us in the north-west.

We finished actual teaching on Friday so it's been mainly films and games today and same tomorrow. Wednesday is a concert and christmas dinner for the pupils.

Grilledaubergines · 19/12/2016 16:56

Just don't 'get' the problem. School day = go to school.

Surrey here and our break ups are Tues 20th and Weds 21st for mine. Both back on 3rd Jan.

CauliflowerSqueeze · 19/12/2016 17:06

Ahhh grilled well the problem is that people would prefer to do exactly as they please. If they fancy sending their kids to school then that's fine and if they fancy saying to them to choose then that's fine too. Hope that helps. Wink

Scooby20 · 19/12/2016 17:24

It sounds like the last head teacher let parents do what they wanted and your nose is put of joint that this one reminds you of your responsibilities.

BoneyBackJefferson · 19/12/2016 17:33

Bookworm13

Last year, my friends' kids went in on the last day and there was literally 12 kids sitting there out of the whole school, which has a roll of just over 1,000!

And you don't see why he sent the letter/email?

BusyBeez99 · 19/12/2016 17:35

South here. Our schools finished Friday last week

Pixel · 19/12/2016 17:39

South coast here, mine broke up on Friday. The 16th seemed ridiculously early and I would have preferred a few more days.

Anyway, regardless of which day they break up, where does this idea that you are entitled to let them miss the end of term just because you feel like it come from? No wonder schools have a battle with attendance levels when parents instil this sort of attitude in their children. Mine have only missed the last day once, and that was when it snowed heavily in the night and the school was closed as it was cut off. Luckily the first and only time we've ever sent the teacher pressies/cards etc in a day early!

Who cares that they 'don't do much work'? It's nice that the school makes the end of term fun for them. In my day we didn't get concerts etc but we loved it because we were allowed to take a toy or game in to play with our classmates.

Bestthingever · 19/12/2016 17:46

I'm in the south of England. We finish tomorrow (Tuesday). As a parent, I think it's important to teach kids attendance isn't optional. Also I'm a TA and we were doing 'proper' work this morning. Kids could only do fun stuff if they'd finished all their work and corrections. Also I think the end of term rituals like class parties or assemblies help students feel connected to the school and are therefore valuable. They're not some kind of time wasting exercise.

celtiethree · 19/12/2016 18:02

I think it's fair enough to send a letter re attendance if the school is teaching with perhaps the last day being used for social/activities games. But if the school isn't doing anything 'work' related for the last week then that needs to be looked at as well. For one of my DC today, one period the regular teacher was absent, so watched a film. 3 other lessons watched a film. Two other lessons activity sheets involving colouring in. Not really much organising of activities there. And there is still a day and a half to go. Yes attendance is important and my DC will be attending until end of term but I can't see why there is outrage when parents don't send their children in when there is no actual teaching or Christmas activity taking place.

LIZS · 19/12/2016 18:08

It's an official school day, no more optional than any other. Confused

littleshirleybeans · 19/12/2016 18:09

Another primary teacher here. We don't stop till Friday at 2.30pm. I've actually been in bed since 4pm today because I'm so exhausted. I can't get much organised at home and will only have one day to do so.
We were in last week for three nights for Christmas concerts and Christmas disco.
Got an open afternoon tomorrow for parents to come in to which, quite frankly, is making me want to weep. Have hardly had a chance to do anything for it with everything else that's been going on.
Carol Service on Thursday. Hardly had time to practise the carols.
Last year was perfect, we stopped on the 20th (or the Friday, can't remember the exact date) which gave us time to have a rest and recover a bit, then enjoy the lead up to Christmas with our own DC.
Quite a few of ours won't come in on the last day, doesn't bother me one bit.

Mouseinahole · 19/12/2016 18:10

My dgc finish on Wednesday and my teacher daughter on Friday 23rd!

Pooka · 19/12/2016 18:12

We are in London and break up on Wednesday too.

cornflowerblu · 19/12/2016 18:21

Mine finish on Wednesday and they'll be there until the end because, erm, that's the day school finishes. If school is open and they're well they're there no discussions