Hello everyone - thanks for kind words - I am totally behind with everything Christmassy (and everything not Christmassy for that matter! 
) but nonetheless feeling much cheerier today. Much helped by a lovely sunny bright day. It's cold, but so much easier to see and get things done in the house with some sunshine!
I gave up yesterday evening and went to bed early with Netflix. All my teeth ache and dd's glands are up again so don't think we are entirely rid of this flu thing yet which could go some way to explaining my maudlin mood yesterday.
And dh responded to my melt down by kindly and heroicially sitting down for almost two hours with dd in front of the computer last night, tracking down individual teacher e-mail addresses via other parents and PTA contacts (who responded to him immediately but hadn't responded to my earlier enquiries 
) e-mailing the teachers individually for appts (without going through dodgy group portal thing), so we now have meetings on Wed, Thurs and Fri and I am much relieved! And I've managed to track down a Latin tutor with whom we are meeting on Wed. Phew! And double phew! It's a bit of a pain having to do this a few days before Christmas but I so wanted dd to start the NY at school with a plan and in a positive frame of mind even if she is intent on disengaging.
Sympathies Cag take it steady 
Hope your dd enjoys her party Foxes
Enjoy the wrapping Celeste! 
Thanks for heads up about tagging Cotswold not sure I understand it completely and not sure I like the sound of it, but will investigate and am v grateful to be forewarned!
Still woo hoo - you are on a roll - well done to waving goodbye to all those BRC!! Brilliant stuff!
Glad to hear you are doing ok Purple good luck with the skirting boards!
Efficient looking lists there Toostressy!
Ta for wine Blue yes, dh said some of the other parents had found it difficult to make apptsas it happens, although the native Belge seem to know what to do by osmosis! And they do make exceptions for ill-health re:exams and this term has been a very sad/difficult one for dd's class for various reasons but her previous attendance and exam record has been a bit chequered so need to stay on top of it and teachers need to know we are all working on it.
Big waves to Muppets Gowgirl and everyone else I have missed!
It's all egalité when you join the school and totally ruthless when it comes to moving on up (only 50% made it through from 2nd to 3rd secondaire last year). Which leaves the other 50% being chucked out or doing the dreaded "redoublement". 
This is a state school btw too!
Sounds like a very good plan to stress about Christmas when guests are looming on the horizon! I am going to adopt the same strategy and fingers crossed I find some energy from somewhere.
Waves to Gowgirl and Muppets and everyone else!
Anyway, apologies again for the whinge yesterday. Reading a few threads on Mumsnet this week about bereavements and serious illness, awful at any time but particularly just before Christmas, one realises how lucky one is.