Living with the brainy bunch?

[BigSandyBalls2015]

I'm surprised there's not a thread on this! Anyone seen it?

How can a student (Jack) get 105 detentions in a year!?
If detentions don't work after maybe 20 tries, why keep going with them? Couldn't something else be tried?

I thought putting "bad Holly" with "good Holly" did little more than bash "bad Holly's" already rock bottom confidence and self-esteem even further. Not a good "experiment" in my opinion.

I really felt for “bad” holly. It’s difficult to know if she has no confidence because of her size, or if she found comfort in food because she had no confidence. She could have probably benefited more from one-to-one.

Thought the head was a bit smug about his 'theory'.

There's no doubt that family background is
Important but it's not the MOST important IMO. Otherwise how do you explain siblings who achieve very differently at school?

I thought Holly needed someone to work with her and support her with exercise, healthy eating and self-image before academics and I don't mean that unkindly at all.

I found the head quite smug too, and agree about the detentions. I agree that families are probably the biggest factor, but it didn’t feel like the school were taking much responsibility.

Poor Holly clearly needs much more support than she’s getting, and I’m not sure she was well served by comparisons and being put together with Hollywood h, though it was nice to see that they did actually seem to make friends.

One Maths mock paper isn’t exactly the scientific comparison it’s being held up to be either!

Yes I felt the same about Holly. She has very low self esteem and a huge fear of failure. Which is why she kept walking out of lessons or gave up during the maths test. Making her live with the Holly who’s an academic high achieving ballerina is hardly going to boost her self confidence. Someone needs to teach her good coping mechanisms for dealing with stress or challenges. All she knows is to walk away or comfort eat.

I also didn’t like that everyone was making a thing about her ‘wandering’ - it was as though giving it a name and keeping using the same word made it into A Thing That Holly Does. I hope she is getting support and doing well, she was clearly a lovely girl.

They were both good kids, just lacked direction and motivation. As does one of mine despite my best efforts/intentions.

Exactly, made me wonder about the pastoral support in the school. Do they not consider the reasons why Holly kept ‘wandering’? Even if she said she does it because she’s bored, anyone with a bit of common sense and experience of working with teens can figure out that when they say they’re bored, that can mean they’re scared or it’s hard to keep up.

Seems at best an unusual way to try to support the two students. Is this really considered a viable worthwhile option by the head or was it just for TV?

The talk to the lad from the Sri Lankan mom really did seem to hit home with the lad. I hope he's been able to keep up his efforts.

The two girls did seem to become friends and "food holly" seemed to really help Holly a lot with revision.

Only seen the beginning so far. Since dd started secondary I've found it fascinating seeing what goes on in secondary schools so looking forward to watching the rest.

Watching now. Hollie does not seem hugely motivated to make it work. When is Jack going to ask where the xbox is?!

I was sad for the two who were struggling and clearly needed help but I'm surprised that the studious pair kept up with the strictly regimented study times required of them outside of school hours. I got the impression that most of their social lives were being sacrificed at all costs to achieve their high marks. I have children who have been through the system and have done well but experience has taught me not to over control them, they are entitled to some free time too.

I thought it was nice that the Hollies bonded and one helped the other read aloud in class. Ballet Holly's mum seemed quite controlling and it would have been nice if she'd been helped to do something mildly rebellious by non ballet Holly!
I did laugh at the mum saying to Ballet Holly who was flagging at homework "Ok well you can tell the teacher you couldn't be bothered to do it and I'll see you after detention" as i say similar (although my dd is a lot lazier than Ballet Holly!)
What happened about the boy staying all night at the party in the end? Did the Tharush's mum just let it go? I felt for Tharush with Jack rebelling against his mum as it must have been difficult for him.