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Original poster

No, you don't need to know Maths to be a footballer

251 replies

Ronbo · 03/02/2023 10:26

"NSPCC Number Day" at school again. 🙄

The letter says "children are invited to dress up as someone who uses maths/numbers in thier everyday jobs". Lots of girls dressed as engineers, builders, astronauts, chefs. Well done to them.

Of course, just like every single previous dress up for school day, all the boys turn up in full football kits.

"Coz there is a number on my shirt, and err, u need maffs to count the score."

It was depressing when the same thing happened at "dress up as your favourite character from a book day" but for me this is a new low.

OP posts:
FurCoatNoNickers · 03/02/2023 13:45

I'm utterly sick of these dress up days. My kids have never played 'dress up' so I never had a stash of costumes readily available. One year I sent DS into school in jeans and a jumper, told him to tell the teacher he was Bill Gates. Lots of people haven't got the money to go and spend £15 on a bloody costume.
If a school is raising funds for charity just ask the kids to donate a £1 and they can wear non uniform.

Fizbosshoes · 03/02/2023 13:45

Some kids don't like dressing up
Sone parents can't afford to buy a costume that may well not be worn again
Some parents might think football kits are pretty expensive and want to get their money worth before the child grows out of it

If you look at the league table you can involve simple maths....if anytown united win their next 2 games they can definitely stay in the top 3. If othertown rangers lose their next game they might be in the relegation zone ...for example.

BellaJuno · 03/02/2023 13:46

CoffeeRightNow · 03/02/2023 10:39

Parents going for an easy ‘not another fucking dressing up day’ win. Sensible! I would’ve sent my DD in in a footie top, too.

This! The only clothes my child has with a number on it is a football top so no way was I buying something else for one day. It’s not stopping them doing all the maths-based activities in school today which is the point of it. See the picture OP and stop being so judgey.

JudgeRudy · 03/02/2023 13:47

whattodo1975 · 03/02/2023 11:23

I take it you are only talking down about male footballers and not the Lionesses ?

Show quote history

@whattodo1975
I don't think she's really referencing any footballers as such. I'm reading that as either the boys are obsessed with football, or more likely how disappointing it is that these 'special days' are now just considered a dress up day rather than having any real connection to the supposed purpose of the event

FurCoatNoNickers · 03/02/2023 13:48

I always thought these sort of days, bring out the competitive parents who have got lots of time on their hands to make a costume or can afford to buy one. Amazon's profits must spike when these dress up days happen.

Fizbosshoes · 03/02/2023 13:52

FurCoatNoNickers · 03/02/2023 13:48

I always thought these sort of days, bring out the competitive parents who have got lots of time on their hands to make a costume or can afford to buy one. Amazon's profits must spike when these dress up days happen.

I always hoped the school got a backhander from Amazon on World Amazon book day

Banrockmystation · 03/02/2023 13:55

I’m guessing you don’t have a son op. Mine is amazing, brilliant, clever and very well rounded. He loves football and would use every excuse to wear his team strip to school. So you can just fucking fuck off with your fucking judgemental attitude!

GreenWasTheColour · 03/02/2023 13:56

Isn't the whole point of the day to demonstrate that you need maths in all sorts of unlikely walks of life and that numeracy is important whatever you want to do? I would think looking at how maths applies to sport would be really engaging for a lot of kids. Making maths feel less theoretical and more relevant and exciting kind of seems like the entire aim of the enterprise, you don't want every kid turning up in a lab coat or dressed as a maths teacher.

Ikeatears · 03/02/2023 13:58

Wow! There are worse things to aspire to be, or be involved in. Ds2 and Ds3 live for football. Ds3 plays for 2 teams and trains twice a week. He keeps up with the team statistics religiously. Ds2 (17) plays 11 a side and trains, plays for 2 6 a side teams (one of which he started, manages, sorts out subs, pays the ref and the training ground, sourced a sponsor, designed, priced and ordered kits) and both follow our local team. They save for half of their season ticket (we top up), they go on the bus together, buy food and drinks at the ground and understand odds, statistics and league points far better than I do.
Ds2 also referees younger teams for his part time job, he has to keep time and score.
They both use lots of maths in their football, it keeps them busy and healthy and means they have far less screen time than ds1(more arty) did.
Neither is likely to be a professional footballer but ds2 is already investigating other ways to make a living from the game (coaching, management, community football)
Some of the snobbery and short-sightedness on this post is vile.

Dagnabit · 03/02/2023 14:04

Gosh, who really cares?! Some parents don’t want to have to think about another outfit so go for the easy option. Doesn’t really affect anyone 🤷‍♀️

ErrolTheDragon · 03/02/2023 14:07

It would have been more depressing if the girls had been sent in Princess frocks with a weak rationale ... how come their parents managed to take a less lazy option?

GoodChat · 03/02/2023 14:10

ErrolTheDragon · 03/02/2023 14:07

It would have been more depressing if the girls had been sent in Princess frocks with a weak rationale ... how come their parents managed to take a less lazy option?

I don't know that a tracksuit is a less lazy option

kitsuneghost · 03/02/2023 14:12

GreenWasTheColour · 03/02/2023 13:56

Isn't the whole point of the day to demonstrate that you need maths in all sorts of unlikely walks of life and that numeracy is important whatever you want to do? I would think looking at how maths applies to sport would be really engaging for a lot of kids. Making maths feel less theoretical and more relevant and exciting kind of seems like the entire aim of the enterprise, you don't want every kid turning up in a lab coat or dressed as a maths teacher.

Absolutely
I think it the parents of those dressed as engineers and scientists that have the lack of imagination.
The whole idea is to show the diversity of what uses maths.

OoooohMatron · 03/02/2023 14:13

My DS hates dressing up, always has. Halloween, World Book Day etc, hates it all and feels like a prat. He's year 6 now and on this WBD he'll be going in his football kit because I'm not forcing him to feel uncomfortable to please a few pedantic dickheads who get all annoyed that it's not being done 'properly'.

BellaJuno · 03/02/2023 14:16

OoooohMatron · 03/02/2023 14:13

My DS hates dressing up, always has. Halloween, World Book Day etc, hates it all and feels like a prat. He's year 6 now and on this WBD he'll be going in his football kit because I'm not forcing him to feel uncomfortable to please a few pedantic dickheads who get all annoyed that it's not being done 'properly'.

100% this. Utter waste of time and money for those with kids who feel this way. So glad this stops being a thing at secondary school.

MasterBeth · 03/02/2023 14:16

Ronbo · 03/02/2023 12:01

I agree the whole dressing up thing is annoying but that's a separate topic.

If it's just because of the faff for the parents then why the difference between the girls and the boys?

The children were invited to dress up as someone who uses maths in their jobs. If it was really true that you need maths to play football Gazza would have won the Fields medal.

No, he wouldn't.

Did you never take part in World Metaphor Day?

FurCoatNoNickers · 03/02/2023 14:16

If they want to inspire an interest in maths, get a speaker in who is in the STEM industry. Someone who builds cars or who has created an app. Dressing up in a load of old tat doesn't achieve anything. Educate them about the variety of roles open to them.

DerangedViper · 03/02/2023 14:18

Is the aim to showcase STEM?

Or to show that nigh-on everything involves maths?

TheKeatingFive · 03/02/2023 14:18

Ultimately the dress up thing is lazy and done to death. It's not reasonable to be annoyed that the kids aren't elevating it for you.

And even so, there are so many learning points that you could have taken with football and maths. What's the issue?

OoooohMatron · 03/02/2023 14:18

BellaJuno · 03/02/2023 14:16

100% this. Utter waste of time and money for those with kids who feel this way. So glad this stops being a thing at secondary school.

Show quote history

Me too, although my older DD is the opposite and is gutted she doesn't get to to it any more!

FurCoatNoNickers · 03/02/2023 14:22

The only aim of the day is to raise money for the NSPCC?

And that's fine but why do they have make it gimmicky and cost parents money, rather than just going ahead a bog standard non uniform day?

Merrymouse · 03/02/2023 14:22

I like this dressing as an engineer idea - presumably you just wear clothes?

confusedandisolating · 03/02/2023 14:22

ApplePippa · 03/02/2023 11:23

So the girls dressed up "properly", while all the boys wore football kit. All of them. Every single one.

Grin

Would love to know how one dresses up as an Engineer....?!

GreenWasTheColour · 03/02/2023 14:23

ErrolTheDragon · 03/02/2023 14:07

It would have been more depressing if the girls had been sent in Princess frocks with a weak rationale ... how come their parents managed to take a less lazy option?

In fairness, you could definitely argue a Princess needs maths to count all her money, manage her investments, finance all her sparkly jewels and fancy frocks!

Again, I think the whole point is that whatever kids dress up as you can find a maths angle, thus demonstrating to kids the value and necessity of maths. Of all the ridiculous and annoying dress up days (that my kids adore so I have to suppress my irritation!) I actually think this is one of the better ones.

ErrolTheDragon · 03/02/2023 14:23

So glad this stops being a thing at secondary school.

Some of them carry on into KS3.
However, by that stage it's really up to them to come up with ideas and participate if they want. DD went in as Death one year. On the bus.