Missing last week of Y6

[malmontar]

moving this to primary education
My DD has been invited to go to a horse camp that is in Europe. This means it is in their summer holidays and will start a week before Y6 finishes. We have a dilemma whether to take the place or not as she will probably miss the end of year ‘video’ (it’s a whole production but I need to check exact dates) and the leaving assembly. She has been at this school since reception and no one is transferring to her secondary with her. A part of me wants her to go but another doesn’t want her to miss out on such a great opportunity. Anyone ever had a Y6 child miss these events?

I wouldn’t, and my DS is missing the last week of Y5!
My dd went to a different school as her friends but is still in touch with quite a lot of them ( one is here now) and they still talk about the end of Y6, not only the last week to be fair
How does she feel about it?

She’s really torn and said she doesn’t want to make the decision. This video they make is a big tradition and they do it instead of a play so I need to check when that is. I’m just concerned she will miss the horse camp and the end of Y6 won’t even be all that.

It's ultimately her decision, I think. Which is more important for her, memory with her friends, or horse camp?

I wouldn't - the last week was such an experience for them. There are leavers lunches, assemblies, disco.

It felt like my daughters whole school life had been leading up to the stuff they did then. It was such a big thing for them.

Could you talk to the school? See if they can offer a compromise where she still gets to record some thing for the video and gets a copy? It's not like a jolly she's missing school for... Its a fantastic opportunity.

The end of year 6 is a big thing at the time, but trust me, it fades into one of those childish memories soon enough (says my year 10 teen when we were talking about this just the other day!).

I'd say horse camp in a heartbeat.

Her school doesn’t do discos, lunches or T-shirt signing. They’re an inner London state with 50% FSM so they don’t have parent contributions for these things. However, this year they have an amazingly creative teacher so I need to check exactly what she’d miss. I think the biggest thing for her is not seeing her friends again and she’s always loved the Y6 assembly and talked about it and the end of school. Yesterday she said she wants to go to the camp but than started crying when talking about the assembly.

The thing is, does she wants to spend last few days of fun with her friends or not. Nothing to do with FSM or parent contributions, or what school has planned for them.
We all care for our children, no matter what financial circumstances we are in. You lost my sympathy with that comment, I am afraid.

I didn’t come on here for sympathy. I also didn’t say anything bad about FSM, I have another thread on education for this exact thing and I’ve had a parent describe the elaborate things her school does that her DD would miss out on. This is just not the case at my DDs school. I’m not saying the things they’ll do won’t be fun, they just won’t be as elaborate and if I didn’t want her to just have fun with her friends than I wouldn't have started this thread in the first place. It feels like you’re pulling at straws to be upset at this post to be honest.

Not upset, more like couldn't careless.

To be honest if I was in your shoes I would have thought the final week would have been so important and would have had the same dilemma.
However mine left primary 11 and 13 years ago. None of us have watched the final video that was made, they both made a new set of friends in high school immediately and year 6 quickly became a thing of the past.
With Ds1 the following day he left y6 went back to Chamonix and he ice climbed for the first time. He still talks about that and it led him on to other adventures throughout his teens.He doesn't talk about the last week of school even though he enjoyed it.

If horses are important to your child I'd be sending her, definitely!
She is far more likely to have a fabulous weeks enjoyment at camp, assuming she is confident and comfortable being away from home.

I'd say Horse Camp and be glad to miss the tween histrionics of the last week.

I'm a jaded old battleaxe though.

If she does decide to go to the horse camp, then there are still things she can do to make her last days at primary memorable. Though you might want to check with her teacher as a Y6 teacher probalby doesn't want the weeping to start too early.

So , your daughter could take an autograph book around and ask all staff members and friends to sign it. She could make a card for her current teacher, and one for the staffroom for previous teachers. She could make cup cakes for her class. She could take a camera in and take pictures of her classmates at playtime (shocked intake of breath from the no photos brigade , it's just a suggestion). She will miss any organised events, and sadly the leavers assembly, but otherwise she can do most things leavers do, just a week early.

Someone suggested you talk to the school - from the school’s perspective she will need to be in school. Check the attendance policy but school’s can’t authorise holidays during term time, regardless of what’s happening at school.

@viques those are such great suggestions! Thank you.

Does she have a phone yet? If so, get her to give her number to her friends so they can stay in touch. DS1 went to a different secondary to all his peers but is still in touch with some of them on WhatsApp.

Yes, she’s just got one two weeks ago for this exact reason. Thanks!

When DD1 left yr6 almost 2 years ago, each yr6 pupil (small school) made a funny 2-minute video with a teacher based on hobbies - with the teacher doing things properly and the pupil deliberately doing everything wrong. The videos were then shown in the leavers' assembly. One girl was put in sole charge of the editing and she completely cut out 2 children as she said their videos were boring. DD1 was one of these 2 (her video wasn't boring - the teacher she did it with said it was brilliant) so she didn't appear in the leavers' video at all. She (and obviously I) had NO IDEA that she wasn't in it until it was played in the leavers' assembly.

If you have a similar set-up for the video or a similar mean-spirited pupil doing the editing, don't think twice about horse camp!

wow! that is crazy. It's more of a flash mob type of video so nothing like that but that is awful. Shame on that bully and the school for letting them do that. I hope your DD is ok.

Thank you. After the assembly she was upset, as was the other girl who was cut out. With a very small yr6 it was VERY obvious to all watching that 2 pupils were completely missing. The other parent and I did ask the yr6 form teacher about it afterwards and she said it was a shame but ultimately up to the girl editing to do what she wanted!

Is your DD any closer to making a decision?

oh my goodness how ignorant. At least she wasnt alone, Im glad she had someone to be upset with.
She is keen on speaking with the teacher next week to find out exactly what she'd miss. We will then sit down and make a choice. There is the option of another pony camp later on in the summer but one that is not as competitive.

Speaking to her teacher sounds sensible - she might not be missing out on much at school at all and the horse camp sounds a brilliant opportunity. Good luck!