Football being shown in school

[TheGirlOnTheLanding]

DD is thoroughly pissed off that they're going to be made to watch the Scotland match in class this afternoon. I thought it was because it was football (she's not a fan) and possibly because the boys in the class would be louder and lairier than usual (as TBF I know she has got a lot of 'big personalities' in that class). This morning she expressed another thing I hadn't thought of: 'There's no choice so it's forced nationalism, Mum.' On reflection, I think she has a point. On the other hand, it's a big event and I suspect the school thinks there will be a lot of unauthorised absences if they don't let them watch. But if they want them to have the opportunity to see the match, maybe they could send them home early so they can if they choose to - but don't make them all sit through it in school time? How are other schools dealing with it?

@LadyCatStark

It is a big deal for Scotland, so I can see why they’re doing it but I agree there should be some other quiet activities on offer or even just extra play time.

Is it? I’ll admit I don’t really follow football but is this not the first round? They’re hardly in the World Cup final.

@ladygindiva I was forced to meet Diana and give her flowers when I was four, and I'm an ardent republican! Still traumatised by that time at school when I had to do something that wasn't 100% educational and my choice to boot.

Surely having the football on is a positive? I have good memories of watching the football at secondary school - I wasn't a huge fan, but the atmosphere was great, I got to socialise with friends and saw teachers in a different light and there was none of the bad language/fighting that I saw later when I watched football at a pub on the big screen. Anyway, at my school, I think the only reason they played it is because most of the students would've been distracted - interrupting with questions about the score and watching the score on phones under desks that the lessons taking place at the same time wouldn't have been much use.

Hopefully Scotland will do their usual and we’ll be spared more important life lessons.

[quote Dontstepinthecowpat]@TheGirlOnTheLanding my DC are watching it too despite being very uninterested in football. Our school has gone one step further and they had to wear something to support their team. As they don’t have ‘a team’ they have just gone in their favourite colours.

My DS13 a few weeks ago spoke about picking subjects and asked what modern studies was, I explained he would enjoy it as it’s about politics today and he would get a break from hitler, which is all they seem to study in history. His reply was to say ‘oh well we can learn all about our modern dictator Nicola sturgeon’.

He has mentioned that some of the teachers are pro independence and talk about ‘when we are independent’ rather than if.

Anyway I digress. Just to support that I completely understand that a 14 year old would mention and understand nationalism.[/quote]

Modern studies may be a good choice for her as it will teach her the difference between a dictator and a democratically elected party with an elected leader.

@Wanttocry it's a big deal because it's the first time we've qualified for the Euros this century. It's a great way to get kids inspired about fitness, working hard to attain a goal, teamwork, ambition, etc.

Fucking RIDICULOUS.

Even in a year when there hasn't been unprecedented disruption. But this year, when they have all missed SO much, they are giving up a whole afternoon to a fucking FOOTBALL MATCH?

And what about the kids (like mine) who could not give one solitary shiny shit about the football?

This is a rare thing for Scotland though isn't it?
It would be more of a problem if it happened more frequently. I am sure lots of the girls will enjoy the football and the party atmosphere too.

I'm not sure about forced nationalism, but I think it would be more disruptive if they didn't let them, as you'd have people trying to watch secretly on their phones etc - and plus lots of the teachers will want to watch it!

I am almost certain your DD will not be made to watch it, and will be able to go to the library or something to read or do some work instead.

Can she just take herself home if she's 14? You have a case for saying that as they aren't doing any lessons you see no reason for her to stay.

It's 90 minutes in a school year @RaspberryCoulis

Perspective, I think.

@MaMelon I am surprised. The poster you referred to was saying that having to sit through stuff you don’t enjoy is a life lesson, not football. You can thank me later for having to spell that out to you.

@TheLovelinessOfDemons

I had a forced day off work once when England were playing Brazil. At least I had the option of having a lie in instead of watching it.

I was working that year - it must have been the 2002 World Cup as I'd just discovered I was pg with my first. English office, let's show the game in the office.

I went to work in DH's Brazil t-shirt and me and the other Scottish girl in the office sat all morning drinking tea, eating biscuits and doing nothing.

Pray for @RaspberryCoulis dc.

[quote SoMuchForSummerLove]@ladygindiva I was forced to meet Diana and give her flowers when I was four, and I'm an ardent republican! Still traumatised by that time at school when I had to do something that wasn't 100% educational and my choice to boot.[/quote]
🤣

@ladygindiva I wonder how some people manage to get through life sometimes

"Fuck that. It’s football, hardly an important life lesson."

Oh dear.

Jahebejrjr - lay thine eyes upon my field of fucks and you will see that it is barren. You can thank me later for spelling out my complete disinterest in any form of explanation from you.

Zero educational value isn't really true. What about the kids who actually play football and have aspirations to play professionally - lots of boys do.

You could also learn about teamwork, collaboration, creativity, etc.

Plus a range of other follow up activities such as using different styles of writing to describe aspects of the event, media studies looking at how it's reported, statistical analysis of the match, etc etc.

I’m not a football fan but i think it’s a great idea to ket them watch. My teenager’s school have just gone back today after 3 weeks of partial closure due to the variant. He needs to see and hang out with his friends. I think this an excellent opportunity for some fun which has been in short supply for his age group. Also, the exams are over, there’s only 2 weeks left of school.

@MaMelon

Jahebejrjr - lay thine eyes upon my field of fucks and you will see that it is barren. You can thank me later for spelling out my complete disinterest in any form of explanation from you.

Translated: I totally misunderstood and can't admit I was wrong. Another life lesson there perhaps.

@SoMuchForSummerLove

It's 90 minutes in a school year *@RaspberryCoulis*

Perspective, I think.

90 minutes in a school year.

When they were out of school from March to August 2020. Most families failed to avoid the self isolation lottery between August and Christmas. Then out again for 4 months from December to April.

Still think it's fucking nonsense. I'd also challenge the assertion that "most" children will be interested in this match.

[quote SoMuchForSummerLove]@Bytheloch what on earth are you on about? You seem to think there's a governmental conspiracy theory behind kids getting an hour to watch sport in school. I think you might be reading too much into things.[/quote]
Nope. I’m just awake to how we are played by media and money. Do you think they’ll be doing this in schools for the women’s Euros 2022😏? I’d like to think so, but so much of this is about the feel good factor/getting us to look the other way because there’s heavy financial investment in Scotland for the Euros, why do you think the fanzone can go ahead? I also noted the Scotland team flew up from NE England where they were training (not in Scotland, obvs, due to our continued restrictions over isolating) as a bus or train is clearly not a better economic or environmental option, a la the G7 venue in Cornwall.

(Oh and for what it’s worth, more than one school has said only Scotland kits could be worn, no other team...make of that what you will, or won’t in your case)

And you know what, @Jahebejrjr - it's OK not to like football. It's OK to have zero interest in it, not have a clue who's playing, not want to support "your team".

Translated as: not at all. Other posters might disagree with the value of forcing pupils to watch football as a form of valuable life lesson. Another life lesson for you there in return.