School now banning all "out of term" holiday leave

[2Tiggies]

Because Melly is playing devil's advocate. Naughty naughty Melly Welly. I might have to put him/her in detention for disruptive behaviour.

Check out Melly's previous posts - he/she does this sort of thing a lot.

Now Melly, play nicely. That's you told by the teacher.

 

[luke]

Because Melly is playing devil's advocate. Naughty naughty Melly Welly. I might have to put him/her in detention for disruptive behaviour.

Check out Melly's previous posts - he/she does this sort of thing a lot.

Oh yes, a quick look at their posting history shows them sticking to the hot button topics (for that ready likely to be locked), hence me calling them out as a troll very early on. And they've done nothing to dissuade me of that!

Naughty Melly Welly indeed

 

[2Tiggies]

If you didn't do it then I have no issue with you, therefore nothing to throw back at you and likwise you should have no issue with what I post because it is not aimed at you

Although I see where you are coming from, I do think it is disrespectful to make generalised comments about an entire profession and leave it up to those amongst the criticised group to have to decide for themselves whether it they are justified in taking it personally. Some WILL take it personally, not because they have done anything wrong, but because they care deeply about their job and the people they work with. Regardless of what we do for a living, we are all people and sharing views, opinions and experiences is what makes the DIS so successful and enjoyable. But it is meant to be construcive and helpful and aimed at building people up, not breaking them down. I can tell you for a fact that some of my best friendships have been borne out of conflict through very different perspectives on some "big" issues. I have met some wonderful people in my life and if there is one thing I have learnt, it is that you don't have to agree to get along. But you do need to build a relationship to a certain level before you can expect to be able to be blunt in delivering your point without expecting the other party to take it to heart.

 

[princessjodiebo]

wow this is one debate i cannot stop reading about and although new to this i just wanted to say my piece

i have 2 children one daughter who is in year 7 and a son in year 3 and i have been wrestling with what to do about taking them out of school
i have spoken to many teachers (my brothers girlfriend works in a secondary school )and parents alike and i tseems there is definatly no middle ground in this situation

i am taking my children out of school for one week at the beginning of october next year as my husband cannot get time in school holidays off - he works for a huge firm of accountants and has to wait in line for holiday even if he wants to book it a year in advance our honey moon is being taken 10 months after our wedding !!

anyway next october my daughter will just be starting year 9 and my son year 5 i would absouloutely refuse to take her out during year 10 or eleven and although at my daughters school they take their options in year 8 rather than year 9 the proper groundwork for all her exams wont start til after christmas at the earliest

i want to take my children while they are still able to look at the trip through childlike eyes - we have already started to make it educational plotting possible flight routes the importance of walt disney for cinema and film the differences in american culture and food and ours even getting them to work out how many dollars to the pound

i know many people will judge me but we are having to save and save just for one week in term time i feel that if we dont go for it now i will never be able to
the school are well aware that parents can sometimes take liberties regarding holidays especially those with a large amount of sickness but with my children that is not the case
i know that teachers work hard from seeing my bros gf online at silly o clock stating that she is still up marking or lesson planning however i have spoken to my daughter and she is fully prepared to catch up on what she has missed even if it means going to afterschool homework clubs but she is old enough that i was able to talk about this holiday with her as i feel she should have a say and she is more than prepared to catch up on a weeks work
sometimes she has to anyway when a supply teacher doesnt have any work left for them and they end up doing crosswords

anyway i have no doubt i will be judged for this decision but it wasnt that long ago that when i was at school 10 days was automatically authorised i remember going to spain in my last year of secondary !!

didnt seem to do me much harm ! !

 

[joolz1910]

wow this is one debate i cannot stop reading about and although new to this i just wanted to say my piece

i have 2 children one daughter who is in year 7 and a son in year 3 and i have been wrestling with what to do about taking them out of school
i have spoken to many teachers (my brothers girlfriend works in a secondary school )and parents alike and i tseems there is definatly no middle ground in this situation

i am taking my children out of school for one week at the beginning of october next year as my husband cannot get time in school holidays off - he works for a huge firm of accountants and has to wait in line for holiday even if he wants to book it a year in advance our honey moon is being taken 10 months after our wedding !!

anyway next october my daughter will just be starting year 9 and my son year 5 i would absouloutely refuse to take her out during year 10 or eleven and although at my daughters school they take their options in year 8 rather than year 9 the proper groundwork for all her exams wont start til after christmas at the earliest

i want to take my children while they are still able to look at the trip through childlike eyes - we have already started to make it educational plotting possible flight routes the importance of walt disney for cinema and film the differences in american culture and food and ours even getting them to work out how many dollars to the pound

i know many people will judge me but we are having to save and save just for one week in term time i feel that if we dont go for it now i will never be able to
the school are well aware that parents can sometimes take liberties regarding holidays especially those with a large amount of sickness but with my children that is not the case
i know that teachers work hard from seeing my bros gf online at silly o clock stating that she is still up marking or lesson planning however i have spoken to my daughter and she is fully prepared to catch up on what she has missed even if it means going to afterschool homework clubs but she is old enough that i was able to talk about this holiday with her as i feel she should have a say and she is more than prepared to catch up on a weeks work
sometimes she has to anyway when a supply teacher doesnt have any work left for them and they end up doing crosswords

anyway i have no doubt i will be judged for this decision but it wasnt that long ago that when i was at school 10 days was automatically authorised i remember going to spain in my last year of secondary !!

didnt seem to do me much harm ! !

I certainly wouldn't judge you. You don't have to defend your decision - they are your children and you know them best.

I wouldn't worry too much about making your trip educational. If my children are educated while we are on holiday, it's usually accidental. I hope you have a great time.

 

[princessjodiebo]

thanks juliette i just couldnt resist writing on this topic !!

so many hot headed opinions it really seems to hit a nerve with some people !

maybe they will be nice to me *** im a newbie lol

 

[2Tiggies]

i am taking my children out of school for one week at the beginning of october next year as my husband cannot get time in school holidays off - he works for a huge firm of accountants and has to wait in line for holiday even if he wants to book it a year in advance our honey moon is being taken 10 months after our wedding !!

anyway next october my daughter will just be starting year 9 and my son year 5 i would absouloutely refuse to take her out during year 10 or eleven and although at my daughters school they take their options in year 8 rather than year 9 the proper groundwork for all her exams wont start til after christmas at the earliest

This has actually become the core of this discussion/debate. Trying to juggle what is best for the family as a whole, the individual family members, practicality and budget, as well as doing the right thing. IMO that is the very reason that this has become such a well discussed topic. There is no one right or wrong way to approach the issue. Every family unit has its own circumstances and so what is right and workable will be different for all of us, and indeed, will probably change over time.

i know many people will judge me but we are having to save and save just for one week in term time i feel that if we dont go for it now i will never be able to

I think you will be pleasantly surprised at just how few people, if any, judge you on here. Welcome to the thread!

 

[2Tiggies]

I wouldn't worry too much about making your trip educational. If my children are educated while we are on holiday, it's usually accidental.

!!!! Aaaah, a truly honest and practical person!

 

[Scrap_Vamp]

I know I've disappeared off of the thread for a while, but I've had a thought that might be useful for parents.

At our school, and at many other schools in my LEA, we have a VLE - Virtual Learning Environment. At the moment ours isn't partciularly well used, and we are switching to a new platform over the course of the next term (I'm even having training in how to create Wikis - eek!). However, I believe a lot of schools now have them. In our Department we post the majority of homework (and other course materials) onto our section of the VLE. If pupils need to catch up on work, I will direct parents here as a first port of call to find the work. It is surprising how many parents have not learned about the VLE from the school, or indeed their children!

So, if you do need to keep your children off school, for any reason, do ask if the school has a VLE where you can access the work

Oh, and in the spelling/grammar issue - I had a very bright Year 9 BTEC student question why I was picking up his mistakes in Drama coursework - "But it's Drama, MIss, not English!" I keep my standards when marking, but not all teachers in my school do!

 

[melly]

The teacher's Strike of 2008. Was this a long winter of discontent? Or was this a 1 day strike two years ago by one minority union in England and Wales only?
The way you are talking us teachers are walking out every year for months at a time. No-one in my workplace has ever been on strike and some have been there for 25+ years. Clutching at straws Melly

On a lighter note I would encourage my parents to go to Florida. Preferably in the holidays, but I understand that circumstances can be difficult. I just spent 5 minutes talking to a parent who has booked for August. Another child in my class is going in May....she is the brightest child in the class and I know the parental support will be there for her to catch up. I'll give her a pack of stuff she missed, but she will not fall behind at all...just that sort of pupil.

Firstly you have fabricated an opinion for me. At no point have I suggested that teachers strike on a regular basis. I haven't even come close to doing so, I clearly stated when and where the strikes were anything else you have dreamt up

Secondly it matters not if it was 1 day or a winter of discontent. Us parents are reminded of how every day counts and how lost days are irrecoverable. It works both ways.

Thirdly although it is not a majority of teachers it was still 1 in 10. Even assuming that only yes voting teachers went on strike that is still 50,000 teacher or approx 1.5million kids affected plus parents inconvenienced both for time and cost of childcare. Clearly though I am in the wrong to be outraged at this and, just rub salt into the wound I should just put up and shut up when teachers pontificate whether I have damaged my kids education taking them on hols

 

[2Tiggies]

Firstly you have fabricated an opinion for me. At no point have I suggested that teachers strike on a regular basis. I haven't even come close to doing so, I clearly stated when and where the strikes were anything else you have dreamt up

Secondly it matters not if it was 1 day or a winter of discontent. Us parents are reminded of how every day counts and how lost days are irrecoverable. It works both ways.

Thirdly although it is not a majority of teachers it was still 1 in 10. Even assuming that only yes voting teachers went on strike that is still 50,000 teacher or approx 1.5million kids affected plus parents inconvenienced both for time and cost of childcare. Clearly though I am in the wrong to be outraged at this and, just rub salt into the wound I should just put up and shut up when teachers pontificate whether I have damaged my kids education taking them on hols

Melly, the reason people are getting upset is that the thread is NOT ABOUT TEACHERS. Most of them agree with you in principal regarding taking kids out of school and most of those who don't, acknowledge the fact that you have to make the best decision you can as a parent. Putting your point of view across is what is intended on the boards. However slamming others in the process is seen as bad form.

 

[EPCOTFANROD]

Firstly you have fabricated an opinion for me. At no point have I suggested that teachers strike on a regular basis. I haven't even come close to doing so, I clearly stated when and where the strikes were anything else you have dreamt up

Secondly it matters not if it was 1 day or a winter of discontent. Us parents are reminded of how every day counts and how lost days are irrecoverable. It works both ways.

Thirdly although it is not a majority of teachers it was still 1 in 10. Even assuming that only yes voting teachers went on strike that is still 50,000 teacher or approx 1.5million kids affected plus parents inconvenienced both for time and cost of childcare. Clearly though I am in the wrong to be outraged at this and, just rub salt into the wound I should just put up and shut up when teachers pontificate whether I have damaged my kids education taking them on hols

So you are saying that a two week holiday will do no more damage to a childs education than a 1 day strike two years ago?

Melly : I am taking my kids out of school because, one day, years ago, in some part of Britain, some teachers errr, went on strike for a day.

 

[EPCOTFANROD]

I am beginning to agree with Luke in that this Melly bloke must be Fishing.

 

[melly]

So you are saying that a two week holiday will do no more damage to a childs education than a 1 day strike two years ago?

Melly : I am taking my kids out of school because, one day, years ago, in some part of Britain, some teachers errr, went on strike for a day.

No I didn't say that nor is it the point. The point is, for those that cvan read, that it is a bit rich for a teacher to question the motives of a parent taking their kid out of school wjhen many teachers affected childten in the same way in a quest to feather their own nest

 

[melly]

Melly, the reason people are getting upset is that the thread is NOT ABOUT TEACHERS. Most of them agree with you in principal regarding taking kids out of school and most of those who don't, acknowledge the fact that you have to make the best decision you can as a parent. Putting your point of view across is what is intended on the boards. However slamming others in the process is seen as bad form.

The only people I have slammed are those teachers who don't gibve a stuff about teaching or kids. I have explicitly stated on a number of occasions that those who don't fit that bill meed not to be offended as I am not talking about them.

Those that do fall into that catagory tough. If the cap fits then wear it. It is those people I am trying to get my message accross to and they will know who they are

 

[2Tiggies]

Those that do fall into that catagory tough. If the cap fits then wear it. It is those people I am trying to get my message accross to and they will know who they are

Did you read my post #323 on the previous page? If you are trying to get your point across to "those people", then fair enough. However I believe you are doing it in the wrong place.

 

[melly]

Although I see where you are coming from, I do think it is disrespectful to make generalised comments about an entire profession and leave it up to those amongst the criticised group to have to decide for themselves whether it they are justified in taking it personally. Some WILL take it personally, not because they have done anything wrong, but because they care deeply about their job and the people they work with. Regardless of what we do for a living, we are all people and sharing views, opinions and experiences is what makes the DIS so successful and enjoyable. But it is meant to be construcive and helpful and aimed at building people up, not breaking them down. I can tell you for a fact that some of my best friendships have been borne out of conflict through very different perspectives on some "big" issues. I have met some wonderful people in my life and if there is one thing I have learnt, it is that you don't have to agree to get along. But you do need to build a relationship to a certain level before you can expect to be able to be blunt in delivering your point without expecting the other party to take it to heart.

Ok I will respond to it as you wish

The reason I didn't respond is basically that it isn't true. I have not generalised about teachers per say.

The two things that could be percieved to have been generalisations are thje bubble comment then the one about the hypocrites who strike but the dole out advice on doing what is right for the kids. In each instance I have made an effort, several times to state precisely who it was aimed at.....a very specific band of people (ie not a generalisation) I have even gone to the effort of saying "this is not a generalisation, it is aimed at x. Y and z". I have also stated my respect and admiration for those teachers who love their job. Even after all of this I am being accused of generalising. I can only presume that people accusing me of this either can't read or out of stubborness are choosing not to.

 

[2Tiggies]

I can only presume that people accusing me of this either can't read or out of stubborness are choosing not to.

I don't think anyone is accusing you. Your tone, intended or not, is coming across as very hostile and naturally people are going to get a little upset about it. Going by your posts thus far, I would not say you have a problem with communcating a point. So you need to understand that it is quite difficult to put the perceived tone of your messages down to inability to convey your point accurately. Always remember what mums say to the kids: It's not what you say as much as how you say it.

Another thing is that this thread is generally considered a hot topic for obvious reasons and most, very quickly, end up closed. So far it has successfully carried a debate and interesting discussion over many pages and most of the posters on here are enjoying this. Sadly, over the last couple of days it has threatened to evolve from a discussion into an argument. I think I speak on behalf of the majority when I say we would like to avoid that at all costs.

 

[scojos]

I am beginning to agree with Luke in that this Melly bloke must be Fishing.

i agree, if you look at their previous posts, some are extremely rude, we have got off lightly over here!!!

some people will always want to upset someone- personally there are enough nice people on here to ignore the *others*
tracy

 

[2Tiggies]

i agree, if you look at their previous posts, some are extremely rude, we have got off lightly over here!!!

some people will always want to upset someone- personally there are enough nice people on here to ignore the *others*
tracy

I'm with you Tracy. Let it be noted, my post no. 338 was my final response to such posts. Now, where were we before we were so rudely interrupted?!