Bitter about missing school occasions

[Rhinothunder]

Just really beginning to hate this government. Parents have been banned from sports days at all our local schools as they say its too much risk and they can't police lots of bubbles as required by govt guidelines.

We've also been banned from assemblies and shows even if can hold them outside. I haven't seen a single thing yet in my 6 year olds school career. We saw so much for the older ones and was a real high for us and the kids.

Meanwhile on the news we are watching g7 encourages, football officalls and z list celebrities swan round the world and mass together.

It's so galling and I'm getting really angry about it.

Struggling to accept it and thinking of how I can take action.

I think you need to take it up with the school.

There is government guidance about how these events can take place safely.

Our school will have sports day, residential trips and a Y6 leavers' celebration before the end of the year.

I agree. My year 6 DC has never stepped foot in their new secondary school as the year 5 and year 6 open evenings / days were cancelled and now the transition day is also cancelled. Therefore they will see inside the school for the first time when they start in September.
They have also had all their year 6 'big events' cancelled: residential, trip to theme park, leavers' play, leavers' assembly and so on.
So sad for them.

Also school photos.

Some inside events are too difficult, but we'll be offering most of our usual events.

what’s a pre-school graduation? Another poster mentioned them. Tell me it doesn’t involve mortarboards and gowns…
Sadly it does.

I think there is often a bit of an attitude on MN that anything to do with children (baby classes, or nursery school plays or sports days) are inherently dull and therefore ‘above’ the lofty ideals of MNetters, who prefer to drink wine whilst discussing current affairs.

I don’t care if it makes me dull or suburban or pedestrian. I adore baby classes and nursery nativities and sports days and class assemblies. I think that they are very important and I fully understand a sense of sadness that they are not going ahead.

Our secondary school is offering transition days and summer holiday visits.

These are all possible within current guidance.

@lavenderandwisteria

I think there is often a bit of an attitude on MN that anything to do with children (baby classes, or nursery school plays or sports days) are inherently dull and therefore ‘above’ the lofty ideals of MNetters, who prefer to drink wine whilst discussing current affairs.

I don’t care if it makes me dull or suburban or pedestrian. I adore baby classes and nursery nativities and sports days and class assemblies. I think that they are very important and I fully understand a sense of sadness that they are not going ahead.

Me too. I like seeing this stuff. It’s not much and I don’t get the those relieved. All different and even then I’d like them to go ahead if we can’t go.

All these events are possible within the current DfE guidance. My school is doing most normal events, sports day, parents evening, trips etc. My personal view is that some schools can't be bothered. (I'm a headteacher btw).

I have to say seeing the crowds of football supporters travelling from Scotland when they don’t even have a ticket to attend has irritated me. Nicola Sturgeon has kept Scotland under tight restrictions, schools still unable to operate as normal, but she’s said f all about the hoards heading to London this weekend. But that’s football I suppose. Far more important than children getting a normal education.

@MaidEdithofAragon

All these events are possible within the current DfE guidance. My school is doing most normal events, sports day, parents evening, trips etc. My personal view is that some schools can't be bothered. (I'm a headteacher btw).

You’re likely right. I am grateful our school moved everything to enable PGL, they were great. It’s the isolation that is getting everyone atm.

I have taken it up with the school, but they said govt rules re covid and the council risk assessment of the venues with these rules in mind mean no spectators are allowed due to covid risk.

Also in response to some PP-
I'm not trying to compete with what's saddest about covid. That would be ridiculous. I also have missed funerals weddings etc and understand that there are also other issues in the world.

I'm also not here to persuade everyone that they should love attending school events.

Like the rest of the uk I've also spent a 18m getting on with these things not happening and understanding / not complaining .

What's different now is the fact that the risk is actually sod all for us to go. The kids are all already in bubbles and mixing daily. They then come home to the same family members. Yet we can't stand near each other outside to watch a brief but important moment in their childhood.

Meanwhile i can go on a tube with 60+ strangers, go to the pub in a big group, mix in the supermarket with randoms.

And even more galling is to see on TV the exceptions being made for 1000s of football fans politicians and celebrities- anyone with enough political clout or sway.

It's hypocritical and I can't help but get angry children are still bearing the brunt of restrictions.

@Dentistlakes

I have to say seeing the crowds of football supporters travelling from Scotland when they don’t even have a ticket to attend has irritated me. Nicola Sturgeon has kept Scotland under tight restrictions, schools still unable to operate as normal, but she’s said f all about the hoards heading to London this weekend. But that’s football I suppose. Far more important than children getting a normal education.

She didn't say f all. She told them not to travel. Short of imposing a travel ban, and disrupting a lot of other people's holidays, there wasn't a lot she could do.

The reason is year 10 exams are going ahead and (some) nursery graduations aren't is not because you can't catch covid in an exam, it's because exams are deemed to be essential and nursery graduations, while undoubtedly cute, aren't.

@Dentistlakes

I have to say seeing the crowds of football supporters travelling from Scotland when they don’t even have a ticket to attend has irritated me. Nicola Sturgeon has kept Scotland under tight restrictions, schools still unable to operate as normal, but she’s said f all about the hoards heading to London this weekend. But that’s football I suppose. Far more important than children getting a normal education.

Can you imagine what she would be like if England fans had travelled to Hampden?

I'm a Scotland fan but the hypocrisy of her and many who were berating the Rangers fan who gathered last month is outstanding (some of the Rangers fans behaved like animals and are scum)

If it’s about what is essential then why can you go to soft play and the cinema? Those things aren’t essential. Large stadium events aren’t essential.

I absolutely supported restrictions when numbers were high and the vulnerable had not been vaccinated. Now those most vulnerable have been vaccinated and they have even opened up vaccines to over 18s now. Lots of the school staff will have been vaccinated now (and yes I do think they should have been prioritised).

The vast majority of children are asymptomatic or have a mild illness with covid. I just wonder when the 10 day isolation for bubble contact will ever end / when will they be able to have a ‘normal’ education.

I think a lot of people are missing the point on this thread.

It's the fact that our kids are still massively restricted in the things they can do, but football, tennis, Download festival etc are all going ahead with big crowds. We are opening up, but not for children.

Children were thrown under the bus throughout.

@Malteser71

Completely agree.

@VariantL1130

I think a lot of people are missing the point on this thread.

It's the fact that our kids are still massively restricted in the things they can do, but football, tennis, Download festival etc are all going ahead with big crowds. We are opening up, but not for children.

100% agree. I never loved being dragged into school for assemblies etc and found it hard to juggle with work, but no parent has set foot on school grounds since last March. This seems to be the school's preference at this point. My DS leaves primary school this year with no leavers celebration, residential trip cancelled and a zoom performance of the school play. The whole thing is utterly miserable. I can't watch any more performances on zoom where parents would normally be present. The kids who would normally be so excited about the event all look so bored and sad.

It's as PP have said, no one makes money out of school assemblies therefore they don't matter

As has been said, schools can do outdoor sports days etc but are choosing not to. The other outdoor events such as football and festivals are being undertaken at hugely reduced capacity (25% at much of football), with social distancing enforced and strict stewarding. Minimal reopening is essential for the continued existence of - especially smaller - football clubs.

As for indoor events, a prom is a very recent invention in UK schools and given we know how spread is being driven by children, I can't really see any defence for holding such events. Yes it's sad, but none of those children have been vaccinated (unlike many of the events being compared to) and aging in financial constraints, I can understand why schools have decided to cancel them.

@Malteser71

Children were thrown under the bus throughout.

Yep!!! 100%

We got an email for our city council (Scotland) reminding us that children shouldn’t be mixing with anyone who isn’t in their school bubble outside of school. How blooming ridiculous! I can go to the pub every night if the week with anyone I like - but my children are only supposed to play with the kids in their class? Most of the kids are going to ballet / football / cricket / swimming with kids from other schools anyway

@Dandelionstem

If it’s about what is essential then why can you go to soft play and the cinema? Those things aren’t essential. Large stadium events aren’t essential.

I absolutely supported restrictions when numbers were high and the vulnerable had not been vaccinated. Now those most vulnerable have been vaccinated and they have even opened up vaccines to over 18s now. Lots of the school staff will have been vaccinated now (and yes I do think they should have been prioritised).

The vast majority of children are asymptomatic or have a mild illness with covid. I just wonder when the 10 day isolation for bubble contact will ever end / when will they be able to have a ‘normal’ education.

Yes I agree completely, it’s so frustrating

@VariantL1130

I think a lot of people are missing the point on this thread.

It's the fact that our kids are still massively restricted in the things they can do, but football, tennis, Download festival etc are all going ahead with big crowds. We are opening up, but not for children.

Yes. We can’t have sports day with socially distanced parents watching outdoors, goodness no, covid! But we can all go down to Glasgow Green with 6000 others to sit in the Fan Zone and watch football, that’s fine.

And for all the sneering about ‘preschool graduations’, at our nursery it’s a goodbye ceremony for the children where each one goes up to get a gift and the nursery head talk a little about them as an individual and what they’ve done over their time at nursery. It’s a small nursery and they were going to do that outdoors this year, all parents in masks and distanced. Nope! Government says not allowed because covid.

“The other outdoor events such as football and festivals are being undertaken at hugely reduced capacity (25% at much of football), with social distancing enforced and strict stewarding.”

Did you watch the match last night? Didn’t see much distancing tbh! I don’t even mind that but don’t like the double standards.

And yes, I know Money talks. And I’m not too fussed on proms, but some people are, and they also are fairly money making (if what I hear is true on cost of dresses!) We will never know unfortunately.

As has been said, schools can do outdoor sports days etc but are choosing not to.

Maybe yours can. That’s not the case everywhere.