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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Sports day

51 replies

MLLM · 06/06/2023 18:24

I'm soooooo disappointed. Our first sports day! I was excited! Details announced. It's morning only. On a Friday. DH cannot afford whole day off work so I'll have go alone. DS was so excited now he's deflated. Why oh why have it in the morning??? Only those who don't work or those who can afford time off (not many with summer hols approaching) can go. I really don't like this school they make everything awkward for parents and are rubbish at communicating and listening to us. Sometimes I feel like pulling DS out of this circus altogether!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

PuttingDownRoots · 06/06/2023 19:41

Morning is cooler as well. A lot of school fields don't have much shade.

MargaretThursday · 06/06/2023 20:08

I'm reminded of ds, aged 14yo, who never really liked school, looking at a new year R starter who was excitedly skipping down the road calling out to people that it was their first day of school.
He waited till they'd gone, shook his head and said in a very elderly way. "Bless them. They'll soon learn it's not so exciting." 😂

Really, sports' day isn't worth getting wound up over, and definitely not disappointed it isn't the whole day. Suggest they cut it back to 9-10am, and you'll enjoy it much more. Or perhaps 9am - 9:05am, that's only about 4 minutes too long.

ChaoticNoodle · 06/06/2023 20:10

The morning has been chosen for the benefit of the children, probably. Hot Friday afternoons with tired overwhelmed children isn't the best idea.

Moonflower12 · 06/06/2023 21:00

As PPs have said, especially as they're only Reception, it'll be then to make sure it's best for the children. It'll be cooler and the children will be more alert and energetic.

And less likely to throw up their lunch which could happen if they're running round with a full tummy in the heat.

Heckythump1 · 06/06/2023 21:17

Ours was just for an hour, and each year group does it separately as there isn't space!
It's all a bit underwhelming!

Foxesandsquirrels · 07/06/2023 08:15

I've never heard of sports day being at any other time than the morning. It normally starts in the morning and lasts all day :S. What did you expect ?

Parker231 · 07/06/2023 08:19

DT’s school had their sports day on a Saturday - same day as the summer fair. As a family with two working parents it was good for us.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 07/06/2023 12:58

We alternate. Last year I went and DH went to some reading thing. This year he is sports day and I'm the reading thing. In the nicest possible way you're being a drama llama

lanthanum · 07/06/2023 13:19

It has to be in school time, so it's only ever going to be possible to go if you don't work or can take time off. Morning is probably better than afternoon; for those who can take a part-day off work, it's easier to take 9-11 off than 1-3, surely. And if there's a hot spell, 9-11 can probably still go ahead, before the real heat of the day begins.

Sports day is for the children, not the parents. There are always some children whose parents can't make it. (One of our local childminders made a point of turning out to watch her charges, which they appreciated.) Some schools have decided it's easier to do it without parents invited at all - much less hassle.

CedezLePassage · 07/06/2023 15:08

Parker231 · 07/06/2023 08:19

DT’s school had their sports day on a Saturday - same day as the summer fair. As a family with two working parents it was good for us.

This requires a number (potentially all?) teachers agreeing to work an extra day that week though. I'd be amazed if they were paid for it.

unfortunateevents · 07/06/2023 22:25

Parker231 · 07/06/2023 08:19

DT’s school had their sports day on a Saturday - same day as the summer fair. As a family with two working parents it was good for us.

Saturday will result in a large number of children not turning up at all - someone have sporting or other commitments, some parents simply won't be able to bring their children and for the kids who don't want to or can't be bothered with sports day it's easier not to turn up on a Saturday, without any comeback. Also as someone already mentioned all the teachers would have to do a six day week in order to supervise and run the thing.

Hiddenvoice · 07/06/2023 22:31

It’s probably worked out a lot easier for the school to host it in the morning. They may have specific groups of parents coming at different times of the day too.
I understand you’re excited as it’s the first one but it’s one of many to come. Sadly schools wont be able to accommodate every parent and therefore things may not always work out to your benefit. I suggest you join the pta and help work with the school to plan school events.
For this time, you should be excited about attending and watching your child. Tell him you’ll take lots of videos so that they can watch with their dad once he’s finished work. Try be excited for your child so that they don’t feel so deflated. Sadly there will be an h parents who won’t be able to attend their child’s sports day. As a teacher myself, I’ve not been able to get time to go and visit and rely on grandparents or friends taking pictures and videos.

SellFridges · 07/06/2023 22:34

Can’t wait to hear how annoyed you are because it’s postponed because of rain. Or heat.

You can’t both be at everything. Accept it now and you’ll be a lot more content. I’ve missed one with appendicitis, DH has missed a couple with work, and we both would have missed it last year if it hadn’t rained.

Parker231 · 08/06/2023 07:46

unfortunateevents · 07/06/2023 22:25

Show quote history

Sports day and the summer fair were combined each year. Was a big event in the school year with families bringing picnics. Many of the children did sports connected with the school so were use to attending at the weekend. Everyone turned up - children, parents, other family members etc

Lauram82 · 09/06/2023 19:44

Sports day happening during school time, who’da thunk it? I was privileged to be a sahm for 11 years so saw a lot of sports days for my children but now I’m back in school I cheer other children on who’s parents couldn’t make it whilst missing my own.

Eccle80 · 09/06/2023 19:47

All of my kids’ sports days so far across 3 different schools have been mornings - I imagine it is to avoid the hottest part of the day if it is sunny, and also the morning is longer than the afternoon generally in schools. If you work then you won’t be able to attend everything, if he has some flexibility could he come for the first hour then start work a bit late? Many parents won’t be able to go though.

Personally I find school events at 2 or 2.30 the most annoying as it is right in the middle of the working day.

NerrSnerr · 09/06/2023 19:48

What are you expecting OP? For them to do it at the weekend? After school? Teachers already do parents evenings, open evenings, plays, concerts etc in the evening as well as sometimes sports fixtures? Shall we force them to work extra unpaid?

Some school events are in school time. Not all children can have a grown up at every event.

NerrSnerr · 09/06/2023 19:49

@Parker231 what kind of school was this? Private? Small rural school?

Half the teachers at my children's school have children themselves so I wouldn't want them to sacrifice a weekend day if they didn't need to.

Parker231 · 09/06/2023 19:54

NerrSnerr · 09/06/2023 19:49

@Parker231 what kind of school was this? Private? Small rural school?

Half the teachers at my children's school have children themselves so I wouldn't want them to sacrifice a weekend day if they didn't need to.

International school based in London.

arethereanyleftatall · 09/06/2023 20:16

Yabu.

I can't believe the head teacher didn't phone you specifically to find out when it would best suit your family. It's a disgrace.

It is absolutely fucking obvious op that a school can't please every single family.

WaitingfortheTardis · 09/06/2023 20:20

You are lucky you can go, most children will not have both parents there anyway. I will not be able to attend my daughter's one as I have to work, I have no option to take holiday.

mondaytosunday · 10/06/2023 08:31

It has to be during school hours, so what difference does it make morning or afternoon?
I made every one as a sahm, sometimes running between one end of the field to the other to try and watch both kids. My husband never came as he worked.
If I worked we would have tried to take turns having the day off or if possible on occasion rope in my parents.
Many kids have parents who can't make it. You can so great!

arethereanyleftatall · 10/06/2023 09:41

I have never understood why sports day is the coveted one to watch.

When my dc were in primary, I would say on average there was a weekly event to attend during normal working hours - assemblies/plays/church service/concert/display work/meetings about whatever/volunteering to help with whatever.

No dads at any of the above, and yet suddenly at sports day, dads en masse, ready in their trainers for the actual reason they went - dads race.

Do you know what - miss sports day and come and volunteer for a day instead.

NatureNurture85 · 10/06/2023 09:43

Loads of kids don’t have parents there, when I’ve gone I’ve cheered along all the kids. Mornings are generally cooler too.

Qilin · 10/06/2023 10:09

When asking our parents re these things, and based on parent numbers, we find that mornings, straight after drop off, is the most preferred time for most events.

Many people can do a later start and find it easier to take an hour or two in the morning and go into work later than to try and leave for an hour or two in an afternoon.

We can't please everyone and for some events we do put on a morning and an afternoon version, if appropriate (sports say wouldn't be appropriate for our school) - the morning slots are always the most popular.

Fridays and Mondays are the most popular days of the week we find too.

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