bid Report post Posted July 23, 2008 (edited) WARNING: don't read any further if you laike fluffy bunnies and hugging things!! Right, my DD#2 had her last day at primary school today. Last night, the teachers did a Tramp's Barbecue for the leavers. They all got dressed up as tramps, cooked their own sossies and burgers (the teachers even got all the right things for M who has severe multiple food allergies, so that just for once I was like the other parents and didn't have to provide all her food). At the end they had a massive water fight, and she got home absolutely soaked but having had a really great time. To me, this is an age appropriate, really fun evening for 60 11 year olds Fast forward to this afternoon. Many months ago, one mum circulated a letter to parents informing us she was organising limousines to collect the kids after school, take them bowling and then a meal at F******s and B*****s. To be kept a biiiig secret from the kids, and costing �25!! This was nothing to do with the school, and as parents we weren't asked if we thought this was a good idea, just presented with a fait accompli and the bill. I am so ###### furious about this on many levels!! First of all, I think it's completely over the top for finishing primary school, and I also think it's part of the whole trend for kids to grow up too quickly. Secondly, I really resent being pushed into a corner...a similar thing happened when DD#1 left the school, and I held out for as long as possible, but in the end I was the only parent not to pay up, so I felt obliged to do so as she'd have been the only kid not going. And last of all, because of her food allergies, my DD can't eat at F & B anyway (I did at least get a discount)! I'm reserving judgement on the Year 11 Prom that I see has appeared in secondary schools...although DD#1 tells me that if you stay on in the sixth form, there's another prom at the end of year 13!! Arrrggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Right, it's safe to come out now! Boho Edited July 23, 2008 by bid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darky Report post Posted July 23, 2008 My goodness, I would be furious if that was me!!! How presumtious can you get?? It sounds like a good idea FOR A SENIOR Fully agree that children are forced to grow up so quickly these days. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flora Report post Posted July 23, 2008 �25 for leaving primary school??? What's wrong with a picnic in the park? That's what Ben's lot did... leavers service at the church (where all the years 6's got to ring the bells and were given a bible), then a pleasant walk to a park and a pic-nic (provided by each parent for their own child in the form of an ordinary packed lunch). Didn't cost a penny. Sorry, but the school should have intervened... was it someone on the PTA who organised that bid? My dd's lot are planning a prom (for next year when she finishes year 11)....we're both of us already panicking about her dress! She doesn't really 'do' dresses, and I'm anxious about the cost. We're going to do some research to compare the prices between buying, hiring or having one made. Flo' Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bid Report post Posted July 23, 2008 (edited) Sorry, but the school should have intervened... was it someone on the PTA who organised that bid? I spoke to quite a few teachers, none of whom liked the whole thing...the Tramps Barbecue was always the 'big' leavers do in years gone by. But as this whole stoopid limo thing happened out of school hours there was nothing they could do about it I just hate this commercialisation of childhood. As you say, what's wrong with a picnic in the park when you're 11? What do kids increasingly have to look forward to when they are adults? As for Year 11 Proms...at least the young people have actually reached a real milestone, especially if they are leaving school for work, etc. *breathe breathe* Boho Edited July 23, 2008 by bid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kathryn Report post Posted July 23, 2008 I just hate this commercialisation of childhood. As you say, what's wrong with a picnic in the park when you're 11? What do kids increasingly have to look forward to when they are adults? As for Year 11 Proms...at least the young people have actually reached a real milestone, especially if they are leaving school for work, etc. I agree absolutely, Bid. �25 is a lot of money for something like that - were the limousines realy necessary?? It's unfair to do this without consultation, forcing parents to opt in rather than disappoint their child. My son's year 6 leaving treat was an all day trip to Legoland yesterday, organised by the school and announced well in advance. That cost �18, but at least it's age appropriate - my son loved it. K x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bid Report post Posted July 23, 2008 My son's year 6 leaving treat was an all day trip to Legoland yesterday, organised by the school and announced well in advance. That cost �18, but at least it's age appropriate - my son loved it. Exactly! Boho Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ASue67 Report post Posted July 23, 2008 My son has just finished Yr 6 today................ out of all the girls in his year only 2 were not incl in going in limousene & meal and Chris and a few of his friends weren't incl in the boys trip in limo either. Am glad he isn't doing it to be honest cos I think it is unneccessary at this age but am sorry for him cos he hasn't been included at all. Am with you on this one Bid!!!!! Now I need to breathe!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bid Report post Posted July 23, 2008 Well! Well!! After all that nonsense (and expense) the limo M was in had broken air conditioning, too many kids, one girl in hysterics because she was claustrophobic, and one little madam deciding no-one was allowed any of the drinks! Bowling over-ran by an hour, so DH had to wait when he went to collect her The Tramps Barbecue, on the other hand, was a brilliant success! Boho Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bid Report post Posted July 23, 2008 (edited) My son has just finished Yr 6 today................ out of all the girls in his year only 2 were not incl in going in limousene & meal and Chris and a few of his friends weren't incl in the boys trip in limo either. Am glad he isn't doing it to be honest cos I think it is unneccessary at this age but am sorry for him cos he hasn't been included at all. Am with you on this one Bid!!!!! Now I need to breathe!!!!! Sue <'> That's really mean Where did this stoopid limo thing come from, anyway? Boho <'> Edited July 23, 2008 by bid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smiley Report post Posted July 23, 2008 What is it with Limos?? Not a leaving party - worse! - two horrid, spiteful wee girls in m's class had a huuuge 'Ball' for their joint birthday party. Parents were well know for being very snobby, the invites were vairy posh! They demanded full-on prom dresses and suits. Again with the Limo's to collect everyone.................... Invited children were expected to pay! M, and three other children (all special needs............. need i say more........) were not invited. All of M's year and the majority of the year above were... They were celebrating their seventh birthday... Beggars belief.......... I invited the left behind lads to our house for munches and silliness - we ate chips with dips, drank fizzy, and played on the Eye Toy - it was hysterical! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
soraya Report post Posted July 23, 2008 I just heard today that one of our local schools was organising a prom for the leavers of the primary school, l could not believe it how stupid!!!Kis are made to grow up too quickly, year 11 yes, all part of growing up, year 7 NOOOOOOOOOOO Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bid Report post Posted July 23, 2008 They were celebrating their seventh birthday... Beggars belief.......... I invited the left behind lads to our house for munches and silliness - we ate chips with dips, drank fizzy, and played on the Eye Toy - it was hysterical! Boho Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NickyB Report post Posted July 23, 2008 I'm really quite shocked at this limo and prom thing , especially at primary age. I can't believe people will assume that you will pay - what a cheek!! Most of the mums from our school met at the local park this afternoon and we all took some food and had a lovely picnic - the kids had a wonderful time and we all had a good natter. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baddad Report post Posted July 23, 2008 Just in from pic-a-nic in't park followed by leavers 'dance' (this was mostly boys playing 40/40 while girls did the macerana) in the church hall... total Bill �2.00. Last night the leavers put on a fantastic show for parents which they've all spent ages working on and were absolutely thrilled about. I hate stretch limo's anyway - sad enough that a 25 year old on her hen night is so celeb-shallow that she wants to pretend she's something other than what she is (Barbie and Ken have a lot to answer for) - but the age limit seems to be dropping all the time (a neighbour booked one for her daughters thirteenth because she was becoming a 'young adult'). Right - completely knackered from chasing children around the park and playing 40/40, so i'm gonna break my midweek rule and open a bottle of wine... son's last day at primary gotta toast something that bittersweet, ent ya? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bid Report post Posted July 23, 2008 Glad it's not just me, then! Bid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kathryn Report post Posted July 23, 2008 Bittersweet - definitely, BD. Here's to moving on <'> We've had such a long association with the primary school - not all of it good, but the last four years have been great. O is ready to move on and very excited - I'm not - because I've seen what a jungle secondary can be. Part of me wishes he could stay in the more sheltered junior school environment. One thing I won't miss - the school gate at 3.30! Bye bye forever ! K x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted July 23, 2008 Agree with every word bid. Shocked at how things have moved on since mine were at primary school. But I still like and <'> - is that ok? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warrenpenalver Report post Posted July 25, 2008 i think a Ball at 16 or 18 is ok but before that silly limos etc and proms is just daft. I thought limosines had "market flooded" to the level where they are almost the new "chav" icon for binge drinkers???? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elun1 Report post Posted July 26, 2008 What ridiculous nonsense!! Our Year 6 had a disco and did a leavers concert a bit like x factor and they all enjoyed it. I definitely think children are being encouraged to grow up too quickly Elun x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
