Hollydays

Gelena

My son started 1st year in Secondary school. I have a note about his holidays. His Xmas holiday will start on 22nd of december. On my opinion it's rediculous, but anyway, if i'm gonna take my son 2 days early from school then how bad will it be? I know that in primary school teachers were ok with that, but what about SECONDARY?

Nicole.

Hi, well it varies from school to school, in my school it wouldn't be a great idea, if they found out that is. Since he's in first year it shouldn't be TOO bad because he isn't in Junior cert year or something but don't do it regularly. He may get the idea that schools not that important, there's a huge chunk of writing regarding missing days in my school for "no valid reason". If you could find a reason that he was going to miss the two days even better:p

The last day before the holidays you usually don't do anything but have fun anyway. Would he miss any tests that he should do, is it continueous assesment or does he have actual christmas tests?

And congratulations on having your son start secondary:D:pac:

Gelena

Thank you for letting me know. I spoke with the secretary office and they said that 1st year usually finishes one day earlier, but they aren't still sure, because the year only started.
are there any rules about how many days can be missed with parents notes ?

Nicole.

I'm not too sure about how many days, I counted how many slips I had in the back of my school journal for notes and there could have been anything from 25-40 (I can't really remember, I was bored in study one day) The secondary schools in Ireland are required to give the board of education records of absent days so I really wouldn't miss too many days unless he absolutely HAS to.

If he ever wants to get into transition year the amount of days he has missed if there is quite a substational amount of days he may be denied admission, employers will also want to check these things up. So when he misses a day make sure that the school has a reason listed.

I wouldn't worry an extreme amount about it right now, he's just started school, definitely keep the days missed to a minimum:)

Corkfeen

Gelena wrote: »

Thank you for letting me know. I spoke with the secretary office and they said that 1st year usually finishes one day earlier, but they aren't still sure, because the year only started.
are there any rules about how many days can be missed with parents notes ?

I wouldn't worry too much about missing a few days before christmas. The odds of him ever being rejected for transition year are low as I know people in the past who missed loads of days and still got in.
However the school is required to inform board of education if they miss 20 days or more.

Tomebagel

I wouldnt worry about it,he'll probably have a half day on the 22nd,and wont be doing too much on the 21st either,

I guarantee ya he wont be the only boy missing school on the 22nd, and maybe not the 21st either,alot of people dont think theres much point because all it is is a fun day for the students,especially christmas holidays.

Gaeilge-go-deo

Corkfeen wrote: »

I wouldn't worry too much about missing a few days before christmas. The odds of him ever being rejected for transition year are low as I know people in the past who missed loads of days and still got in.
However the school is required to inform board of education if they miss 20 days or more.

ya twenty days

jumpguy

22nd of December is fairly normal, I remember we had that too and I was forced to stay every day, sickner. I'd say two days is nothing serious, the last day is nothing really (work-wise, especially in 1st year), although personally I enjoyed the last day as it had a party-like atmosphere and it was was nice to talk to my friends before the holiday. You should ask your son at the time what he wants to do...unless you have plans!

Nicole.

Corkfeen wrote: »

I wouldn't worry too much about missing a few days before christmas. The odds of him ever being rejected for transition year are low as I know people in the past who missed loads of days and still got in.

Probably, my school are just strict on this, we had to write a page on why we want to do transition year, they check up if we did anything wrong in the past and if we've missed a lot of days. A friend of mine who was genuienly sick a lot got a phone call from the school saying she might not get in because of how many days she missed, thankfully she got in though. First day of TY tomorrow!:)

Jay P

Nicole. wrote: »

I'm not too sure about how many days, I counted how many slips I had in the back of my school journal for notes and there could have been anything from 25-40 (I can't really remember, I was bored in study one day) The secondary schools in Ireland are required to give the board of education records of absent days so I really wouldn't miss too many days unless he absolutely HAS to.

If he ever wants to get into transition year the amount of days he has missed if there is quite a substational amount of days he may be denied admission, employers will also want to check these things up. So when he misses a day make sure that the school has a reason listed.

I wouldn't worry an extreme amount about it right now, he's just started school, definitely keep the days missed to a minimum:)

The department get a record of reasons for absence, and will contact you if you child has been absent for more than 20 daays in one school year.

And as for employers checking records? No, that would not happen. Absolutely not. Firstly, why would they care? Secondly, it's a total invasion of privacy.

OP: Missing a day or two before Christmas won't make a difference, especially not in first year. My friend even missed a day and a half of exams last Christmas in 6th year, and she ended up getting 525 in the actual LC so missing a day in first year won't disadvantage him in any way. Also, it's unlikely they'd even be working.

Nicole.

:eek: Employers don't really check up on absent days? My school lied!

suitcasepink

Well in our school we have tests running right up to the last day before the hols so the school would be annoyed if we were to miss it. Though last year I missed all my exams and part of the week before coz I had a real bad case of the flu and once a note came in (saying anything really as long as it was signed) it was okay

padocon

I know a girl in my year missed the last week of 1st year to go on holidays, that was during summer tests. It doesn't matter too much so long as the student doesn't slack off because he/she knows they don't have to do the test. In some schools, he/she could do the tests earlier or later but for Xmas tests that doesn't really happen. 20 days is what one is aloud to miss with out too much hassle, but 20 days is allot!

Johnnyjump

Most secondary schools hold Christmas teats and when it comes to it maybe just one class might be in school on the 22nd (It's totally different to Primary). Your son could be finishing sooner than 22nd which you'll know when he gets his exam timetable.

Johnnyjump

Apologies!! I made a typing error! That was meant to be Christmas TESTS (not 'teats').

oh well

both my secondary school kids have exams right up to the last day so he could be missing out on these. in son's school these exams and the summer ones are averaged together and then streaming used for 2nd year upwards.

even if exams aren't on those dates or used for streaming, it gives a bad impression to students to think that its not important to attend school whenever you feel like it. by the way, hols always start around 22nd or even 23rd the odd year. whats so important that he needs to finish up early?