to think they shouldn't give out 100% attendance certificates in school

[schmoopoo]

THis in a private primary school FFS you can't help being ill

We had those at my (state) school. Used to piss people off who'd been ill through the year ie:most people! I had a boss who used to give "prizes" for best attendance....

I can understand your frustration, but I have taught kids who's only success in school, that was recognised with a certificate, was 100% attendence. and for the good it did those kids, I felt the others could cope with the disapointment, which hopefully was fleeting

I agree--we have them in my daughter's state primary. She has 100% attendance most years but some children in her class have had bad periods when their immune systems are weak and they get lots of bugs and are genuinely sick.

It's not their fault and it's much better for them to be at home, poor things.

My son, when he was at the same school, missed out on the certificates because he had music exams in school time. Because he was doing them with an external teacher he was marked absent, whereas the children with internal teachers were marked present. So he didn't get the certificate. Didn't bother him but it would do some children.

I do find it irritating - no-one can help being ill, for heaven's sake. But am prepared to accept MB's argument.

What do these certificates say?

"I was there, I was bored, but I was there"????

OR

"I came to school with my germs and infected everyone else but I still came"

What DO they prove?

And isn't this insensitive if your child has a chronic condition and misses school regularly when it flares up?

The school are very good and everybody gets certificates throughout the year for something but just feel the 100% ones are unfair.

Well, any certificate has the ability to upset someone.

If dd gets one for the music exam she did today, is that going to upset the tone deaf?

Can't have first prize for running, because that would be a blow to those who can't run fast

etc etc

and long as the school runs a good cross section of awards for effort and attainment, surely kids can learn to cope that they don't get all the certificates all the time?

Well, any certificate has the ability to upset someone.

If dd gets one for the music exam she did today, is that going to upset the tone deaf?

Can't have first prize for running, because that would be a blow to those who can't run fast

etc etc

and long as the school runs a good cross section of awards for effort and attainment, surely kids can learn to cope that they don't get all the certificates all the time?

see, I just lost my 'Only posts once' award!

I don't have a problem with them. We have a prize at work too for 100% attendance (vouchers). Last year I got on as I was fortunately healthy all year; this year I won't as I had a hideous flu bug that knocked me out for a few days. I don't think it's an issue.

It's a way of acknowledging something. Others will get them for being really well behaved or for doing well in coursework or something.

get your point MB

I agree with MB. OFten the kids who get these get nothing else.
Not sure what it being a private school has to do with it though??

I hate that sort of thing.
It's not kid's fault they were ill so why be rewarded for not being Ill?
It really riles me

i like em

I think they're wonderful - of course you can't help being ill but it does seem to stop the consistently 'oh he's a bit under the weather' brigade or at least make them think a little.

I admit to being a hard bitch though - my kids have to be 'proper poorly' to have a day off school

I can't get my knickers in a twist about them.

Believe it or not, the staff get them too at my school

I wouldn't get my knickers in a twist about that either TBH.

Thanking us for our 'dedication'. I didn't get one at christmas because I'd had 2 days off when my ds (2.5) was rushed into, and admitted into hospital. I'm obviously just not a dedicated teacher then

Interesting aside...The dozen or so kids who got the 100% certificate in the city comp I taught in were always healthily slim. Link maybe?

Oh yeah, and I am IN FAVOUR.

Panic Pants - that's awful. We get vouchers if we haven't missed a day but the others are not made to feel judged or anything. Last year I think only 5 of us got them.

I agree with MB.

It seems these days that you can't reward anyone for fear of upsetting someone else.

My dd has a chronic medical condition and hence crap attendance but it bothers me not that other children get credit for full attendance.

At the school I work in we give certificates for 100% each term and that is achieveable for many children.

In the main I'm in favour. It can be harsh - DS 2 was not allowed to go on a school trip because he didn't have 100% attendance. The only time he was off sick was when the school phoned me and said I had to come and collect him as he was unwell. TBH I was a bit intimidated by their call and just collected him. It was only when I got home and thought about it I realised that unless 'swinging the lead' is now recognised by the British medical profession, I had fallen for his scam! So it served him right really.

Another one here that only keeps them off school if they are really sick. Too many of my sons' friends seem to be allowed to be off for fairly trivial reasons - including 'being a bit tired'! WTF?!

I think it's all part of teaching them about commitment and dedication.

There was a mutter of some of the other teachers going to unions and things, but it has settled now

It is a very large school with 200+ staff.

Anyway, for the children I think I'm in favour, but the children can't help being ill, AND I'd rather they stayed home instead of spreading it about.

But it is aimed at those children with low attendence rather than those who are generally sick.