Missing school to go to graduation ceremony

[velvetroses]

I'm graduating tomorrow morning. I'm the first graduate of my family and I've bought 5 tickets for my siblings and parents to come. We've spent a lot of money on this one day; tickets, outfits and transport. Not to mention the photos once we're there.

My youngest sister is in year 6 and my first sister in year 8. Do I have to call their schools to say they'll be absent as they're attending my graduation? Will this be allowed? Those who have graduated how did you go about this? Thanks

How did you manage to get five tickets??

**

You're supposed to ask in advance and then get turned down because they won't authorise absence for anything other than a funeral of a very close relative so I'd just tell them the truth. Realistically, they're not going to be doing much at this point in the year so even if they tell you off, your sisters won't be missing much.

And congratulations!

Poor kids, they will be so bored **

More notice would have been courteous as the schools would almost certainly give permission for such a special event.

Their absences will have to be reported to school anyway: same as for any other absence.

Congratulations and enjoy your day :-)

Congratulations!

But are you sure they actually want to go and realise how much sitting around they will be doing?

It's a courtesy to let them know the kids won't be in, but you don't have to tell them why. They'll want to know so they can tell you it's unauthorised and have a record for the council, I imagine, but unless the kids have got worryingly low attendance anyway no-one is going to really mind - it's a tick-box exercise. Congrats!

Enjoy the day and congratulations

I'd say they were sick to avoid the arsery.

Why would you call and not their parents?

Thanks for the messages! Can't quite believe it's all over!

I got 5 tickets because I booked them as soon as we were able to; I knew I would need that many.
They won't be bored, they're not little children and they are beyond excited to see me graduate.

It completely slipped my mind to let their schools know as the last couple of days have been last-minute errands with outfits etc else I would have told them in advance.

Attendance is 100% and I figure they won't be doing much now at school anyways.

I think this would come down as 'exceptional circumstances' although really you should have had it approved in advance. You could argue it's an educational experience and raising aspirations.

PurpleMinionMummy so what if i call? my parents are not fluent in English and if I am available what is the problem with me calling? I have done in the past and there has been no problem at all.

I realise we should have let them know before but it genuinely slipped our minds!

I think it fine. Just call and let them know. We'd authorise it.

But its their parents responsibility to sort out the absence with school. Which they should have done ages ago. Why are you doing it?

Congrats though!

It just seemed a bit odd! I can understand why if your parents don't speak fluent English though.

Ah your parents English is not good. Ok well yes then you'll have to call. But your should have asked in writing as soon as you knew. Most schools have an application form to complete.

We are all going to DD1's graduation on 21st of this month, including DD3 who is in Year 10.

It is the last day of term for DD3. I asked for authorised absence for her for that day and it has been granted.

Did your parents not notify the school as soon as they were aware of the date? Saying that the family has been given tickets for your graduation ceremony, so nobody will be at home and no childcare options. I would have thought that there would have been a fairly good chance of authorised absence being given.

Congratulations OP. How you have a fantastic day!
To the other posters: whaaaat?! I've been to loads of graduations and none of them have been boring. I guess it's similar (in terms of there being a ceremony, a bit of standing around for a few photos, chatting and socialising with a glass of Pimms and a bowl of strawberries) as going to a wedding! It's totally a non-issue and I'm sure they'll love being there to see you graduate, OP. Have fun! :D

OK, so parents are not fluent in English. I get that.

If the school are happy dealing with you then approach them. Ideally you should have done it a fair bit earlier, but hopefully they will still be fine, as you will have had a lot on your plate with your finals etc.

Congratulations. I am sure you will have a lovely day.

Thanks for the nice messages. As mentioned before if I am available I do contact or communicate with their schools myself. Whether that's on the phone or things like parents evenings.

It completely slipped my mind to notify the schools earlier. I have been a bit stressed with exams and then the whole graduation preparation. So it genuinely slipped my mind. As I'm the first graduate I didn't even know there's a form to complete.

I find graduations mind numbingly boring and I have been to four, two of my own and one for each daughter. Your family member walks across stage for ten seconds and then you watch the other four hundred pass through. Still it is a proud moment.