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The cost of school uniforms

  • 02-08-2011 2:11pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,761
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    I saw an ad for uniforms from Tesco last night and in the top corner it said "in partnership with SVP".

    Now this just got me thinking,why do schools have specialised uniforms that cost an arm and a leg?

    If everyone could buy the uniforms from Tesco or Dunnes,this would save the state a fortune in the Back to school clothing allowence and people could afford to buy 2 or 3 sets of clothes without too much stress.

    I mean why not let people buy the school crest to sew on the jumper for 2 or 3 euro,if the want the school stand out.?

    My 2 are finished school nearly 10 years but luckily it was a grey jumper and pants which could be picked up cheaply with a blue polo shirt.

    It just seems a silly thing to waste a lot of money on when the children can be just as clean and tidy in the bargain clothes!:)

    Any thoughts?


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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,775 Fittle
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    I have MANY thoughts on this issue!

    In my sons school, it's a crested tracksuit, crested collared tshirt and grey trousers....the tracksuit and tshirt can only be bought from one shop in Ireland (the trousers are the average grey trousers). The tracksuit costs 35euro and each tshirt costs 15euro.....(I buy a minimum of 2 tshirts each year - another growth spurt this summer, so have to buy new tracksuit also)...the bottoms and tops of the tracksuits can't be bought seperately either...

    I am on the parents assoc in our school and myself, and many others have mentioned this over the past few years (he is now going into 4th class) and suggested that we have a more 'neutral' uniform and parents could buy the crest (if the school are that hung-up on having a crest:rolleyes:) for a minimal fee from the school. Every parent has always agreed with this idea...there has yet to be one person over the past 6yrs who has disagreed with this idea..and yet, the school still insists on this uniform each year.

    I'm sure the Board of Management (in my school anyway) which is headed by our parish priest have a say in whether the uniform stays in its current form, or not....because I have no idea why they would continue to insist that we pay these prices for uniforms...
    Rant over!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,761 chucken1
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    Your last point hit the nail on the head!

    I realise most schools have the priest on the Board of Management,but surely if the parents say enough is enough,he can be over ruled?

    I mean in all fairness,he's hardly an authority on the cost of clothing a child.

    Cant parents just say..here BOM this is whats going to happen from now on?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,775 Fittle
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    chucken1 wrote: »
    Your last point hit the nail on the head!

    I realise most schools have the priest on the Board of Management,but surely if the parents say enough is enough,he can be over ruled?

    I mean in all fairness,he's hardly an authority on the cost of clothing a child.

    I can only speak of experience from my own sons school, and having dealt with this man over the years on various issues, he does have the last say, no matter how many parents sign a petition or approach him about changing something in the school.

    We have been trying to bring the School Book Grants Scheme into our school for 5yrs OR a school book rental scheme....and he continues to say no, it can't be done!!!!! Again, only experience from my sons school, can't speak for other schools.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,761 chucken1
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    What would happen if all the parents agreed (outside of school) to a uniform of their choosing?

    Let the children back in September,in uniform, would he close the school?? I doubt it!! Its ridiculous when you think about it :mad:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,427 Morag
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    The local parish priest is the head of the board of management for all the Catholic National Schools(92% of all national schools) in the country.

    He is the Patron's (bishops's) rep on the board of Management and no matter what the parent's want the Patron and his Rep have the final say.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,775 Fittle
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    chucken1 wrote: »
    What would happen if all the parents agreed (outside of school) to a uniform of their choosing?

    Let the children back in September,in uniform, would he close the school?? I doubt it!! Its ridiculous when you think about it :mad:

    I have found over the years, that with the best will in the world, you'd never get all the parents to agree to that.

    We (the group of parents I'm involved with) have almost become the 'baddies' because we continue to raise issues in the school - some of which are dealt with, some which aren't (the school uniform being one of them).

    I await the arrival of the new parents with their kids going into JI in September - full of enthusiasm and gusto to involve themselves in the parents association (as I was when my son started) - doesn't take them long to stop involving themselves when they realise their requests fall on deaf ears alot of the time...:(


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,807 Orion
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    Sharrow wrote: »
    He is the Patron's (bishops's) rep on the board of Management and no matter what the parent's want the Patron and his Rep have the final say.

    That's not actually true. They only have one vote each on anything up for a vote. There are two parents, two teachers and two other nominees on the board.

    However, in practice they're surrounded by people who will do exactly what they're told. :rolleyes:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,775 Fittle
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    Orion wrote: »

    However, in practice they're surrounded by people who will do exactly what they're told. :rolleyes:

    That's it, in a nutshell!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,427 Morag
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    Orion wrote: »
    That's not actually true. They only have one vote each on anything up for a vote. There are two parents, two teachers and two other nominees on the board.

    However, in practice they're surrounded by people who will do exactly what they're told. :rolleyes:

    I didn't mention voting :)

    As the head of the B.O.M. sets the agenda for meetings I've seen motions fail to appear on the agenda and the clock ran out on meetings so that when it was raised under A.O.B. the meeting was called to a close due to lack of time.

    The final say as in no one will go against them and the only way try and appeal is to make a complaint to the Bishop's palace and needless to say who's side they tend to support.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,761 chucken1
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    Sharrow wrote: »
    The local parish priest is the head of the board of management for all the Catholic National Schools(92% of all national schools) in the country.

    He is the Patron's (bishops's) rep on the board of Management and no matter what the parent's want the Patron and his Rep have the final say.


    Is'nt this a bit silly? As I said already,he's hardly an authority on raising children and the costs involved?!!


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,807 Orion
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    If the PA has any backbone they could kick up enough stink to force the issue. However I know that PA Committees are generally stocked by brown-nosers too.

    It's one of the things I like about ET - there is no vested interest on the BOM.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,807 Orion
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    chucken1 wrote: »
    [/B]

    Is'nt this a bit silly? As I said already,he's hardly an authority on raising children and the costs involved?!!

    I think you'll find we're all on the same page here chucken1. However this is the reality of it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,775 Fittle
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    Orion wrote: »
    If the PA has any backbone they could kick up enough stink to force the issue. However I know that PA Committees are generally stocked by brown-nosers too.

    It's one of the things I like about ET - there is no vested interest on the BOM.

    I'm on our PA with another 5 parents....the chair etc are a group of 6 other people, all of whom are what you describe as 'brown-nosers'....Us 5 are forever trying to put the cat amongst the pigeons, but we seldom get anywhere unless 'he who shall be obeyed' gives the go-ahead, but we'll continue to fight our cause for another few years..... I'm sure he can't stand the 5 of us...if you'd seen the looks he gave us at first holy communion;):p

    How does it work at secondary level?

    Edit; I definitely regret not sending my lad to an ET school - didn't have one close enough to my home at the time...but if I had to do it over again, that's defo the route I'd take.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 40 magrat


    I have had mine in both uniform and non uniform schools. As I was indeed myself as a child!! Mine ended up the opposite of me - in that they had no uniform for primary and uniform for secondary level.

    I have one still in primary in an ET school - so no uniform to worry about. I can honestly say its never been an issue either, I have never found any peer pressure or any hassle to 'fit in' and that has been with three different children going through the system there.

    For my elder two we had uniform for secondary and will do again now with the youngest - we have another year before we face it again.

    There is no two ways about it - the uniform was expensive. I found it especially hard when my son when through his grown spurt - as most teenage boys will do - and he outgrew a total of three pair of school throusers in a year !! And at 55 euro each pair it was difficult.

    My daughter ended up much more cost effective - I got her a school skirt on entering 1st year - and she wore that same skirt right up to the end of 6th year! It was in a bit of a sorry state by the end of it but with a bit of sewing we made it ! So that ended up being 60 euro well spent! When my next daughter starts - despite her wanting the trousers option - you can be sure we will be buying the skirt!!

    I would prefer a dress code option rather than a uniform in secondary level. I can't see why that can't be done instead. It would be much easier on parents and I also think the kids would prefer it. I know for secondary they argue that the teens 'label' each other with clothes - but I think even within a uniform school they all know which group they belong to. I dont think its just the clothes that do it.

    I know from my own experience in secondary - and ok that is a while ago now - we had no uniform and no issues with it. We did have some guidelines issued from the school, more about the lenght of the girls skirts and no ripped jeans etc. But it certainly did not lead to gang warfare or anything even remotely like it!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,966 syklops
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    I have one still in primary in an ET school - so no uniform to worry about. I can honestly say its never been an issue either, I have never found any peer pressure or any hassle to 'fit in' and that has been with three different children going through the system there.

    For my elder two we had uniform for secondary and will do again now with the youngest - we have another year before we face it again.

    There is no two ways about it - the uniform was expensive. I found it especially hard when my son when through his grown spurt - as most teenage boys will do - and he outgrew a total of three pair of school throusers in a year !! And at 55 euro each pair it was difficult.

    Dont take offence, but at 55 euro per pair of trousers, its no wonder he didnt suffer any peer pressure. I dont even spend 55 euro on trousers for myself. Its the kids who wear no-name 5 euro a pair jeans who suffer peer pressure, in non-uniform schools. I used to dread no uniform days in my school.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,761 chucken1
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    http://www.barnardos.ie/what-we-do/campaign-and-lobby/2011-school-costs-survey-results.html

    From Barnardos today.

    (Sorry I dont know how to put up the full article)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,585 Lady Chatterton
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    We are very lucky with our primary school, we have to buy the school sweater with crest but everything else can be purchased where you like.


    I've added a link for the "Back to School Allowance", hopefully, it may be of help.

    http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/SupplementaryWelfareAllowance/Pages/BacktoSchoolClothingandFootwearAllowance.aspx


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,427 Morag
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    chucken1 wrote: »
    http://www.barnardos.ie/what-we-do/campaign-and-lobby/2011-school-costs-survey-results.html

    From Barnardos today.

    (Sorry I dont know how to put up the full article)

    school-survey-results-infograph.png


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,226 angelfire9
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    My eldest is in a primary school where the uniform jumper has a crest and the school tie costs a fiver but her shirt and skirt are got in dunnes
    After she grew out of her junior infants school jumper I cut out the crest and got a new cardigan from dunnes and sewed the old crest on to it I've done this every year since now granted the crest is looking a bit crappy at this stage and I spent about 3 hours embroidering fresh thread over the old crest so that it didn't look ratty but with only 2 years to go it has survived this far and saved me a fortune!! (thank god for my convent education and my abilities with a needle & thread)
    The tracksuit cost 80 euro I haven't managed to find a way around that one just yet!

    When she goes into secondary she'll have a kilt type skirt that I'll have to buy it goes with a white blouse and a crested jumper I'm thinking already (having seen the crest) I'll be doing it myself ( or trying anyway) if all else fails there's always the cut and sew option:)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 40 magrat


    syklops wrote: »
    Dont take offence, but at 55 euro per pair of trousers, its no wonder he didnt suffer any peer pressure. I dont even spend 55 euro on trousers for myself. Its the kids who wear no-name 5 euro a pair jeans who suffer peer pressure, in non-uniform schools. I used to dread no uniform days in my school.


    If you care to re-read my original post you will see that for secondary school my children had a uniform.

    I only spent 55 euro on the slacks from the school uniform shop, which were a requirement of the school and not a fashion choice.

    I have dressed my non uniform kids from tesco, dunnes and penny's - on a routine basis - and never have they had an issue in school.


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  • Moderators, Education Moderators Posts: 2,285 angeldaisy
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    this year my son goes into 1st class in primary, in order to cut costs I also cut out the crest off last years jumper and sewed in onto a 3 euro navy jumper. I've just bought 2 crested polo shirts and a tie for 17 euro. his tracksuit bottoms were 9euro and his trousers were 6euro. shirts I bought last year in the sale in dunnes and paid 1.50euro for a pack of 2 shirts. So for this year I've spent about 45euro for his uniform and thats with penny pinching. I don't think thats too bad. the only thing I don't scrimp on are his shoes, I buy clarks that have the protective bit at the front of them, last year I went with a cheaper option and ended up buying 3 pairs - so no saving.
    Dreading secondary school though, my neice's school skirt has just cost 60 euro! I wouldn't spend that much on myself!!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,791 ash23
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    I refused to buy the crested uniform for my child. It was mentioned, I said I would happily sew on a crest but no way was I paying €50 for a crested pinafore when I can buy the same type pinny in Dunnes for €8.
    That was the end of that.
    I see more and more parents following suit and less and less crested items in the school. They are still in uniform, the colours are right etc but just no crests.
    In her school they have a crested uniform and a crested PE uniform. It'd be well over €150 to buy the lot as crested whereas you can get them for a lot less without the crest.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,495 eviltwin
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    My daughters school has the crested jumpers / skirt combo. Not only that their school jacket has to be a certain one which alone costs 70 euros :eek:

    And this is a school in a disadvantaged area....

    Last year I know some parents tried to get around it by sewing crests from old jumpers on the cheaper versions from the supermarkets but the kids were sent home so I wouldn't risk it.

    I wouldn't mind paying the money if the quality justified the price but they don't last all that long and end up looking like rubbish after a few washes.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1 Janetwebsterem


    Schools in Britain have started to switch to iron-on embroidered badges so families can buy jumpers and shirts in Tesco/ASDA. Our kids' school is one of them and I reckon its cut the cost of kitting them out with crested clothes by about two thirds. We used to pay £10 for a logo jumper it now costs us £3.50.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,139 Jo King
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    Fittle wrote: »
    I have MANY thoughts on this issue!


    I'm sure the Board of Management (in my school anyway) which is headed by our parish priest have a say in whether the uniform stays in its current form, or not....because I have no idea why they would continue to insist that we pay these prices for uniforms...
    Rant over!

    Because they are making money out of it. Same with books. They get a commission from the sellers.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,937 implausible
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    Jo King wrote: »
    Because they are making money out of it. Same with books. They get a commission from the sellers.

    I don't know about the school you're involved in, but no school that I have experience of makes money from the uniform, unless they are directly selling it themselves. And, unless the school is selling books directly to the students, they don't make money on that either!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 774 lucy2010
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    My total for the younger 2 is €549.05. That is 2 x school tracksuit each ( thats their unifrom tracksuit only ) their books & book rental scheme & photcopying money etc. Shes 8 , hes 9. Only 3 of his books from last year would do her.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,696 thesimpsons
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    Sharrow wrote: »
    The local parish priest is the head of the board of management for all the Catholic National Schools(92% of all national schools) in the country.

    He is the Patron's (bishops's) rep on the board of Management and no matter what the parent's want the Patron and his Rep have the final say.


    not true. I've been on 3 different BOMs at primary level (all catholic schools) and while there has always been a priest on the boards, he hasn't been the Chairman on any one of them and was there as another voice. As one of the 2 parents on the BOM, I always found everyone's voice was heard and given an opportunity to speak up. I wouldn't be on a BOM if I was only there as a "yes man". What I did find is that it was the teachers as a body who wanted the uniforms but luckily enough in the schools I was involved with, the uniforms were pretty cost effective and if you wanted to buy from the official supplier you could but could also buy the cheaper option if you wanted to. PAs and their parents reps must be louder and more vocal if they want to do an effective job on the BOM.

    I've got 2 kids still in secondary school and while their uniforms are expensive initially (skirt 65e, jacket 70e) I've got 10 yrs out of one jacket as I was able to pass it down to younger child, and the skirts are all saved to pass on aswell.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 38 kneeler


    deemark wrote: »
    I don't know about the school you're involved in, but no school that I have experience of makes money from the uniform, unless they are directly selling it themselves. And, unless the school is selling books directly to the students, they don't make money on that either!

    The school doesn't make the money. It is paid to individuals by way of kickbacks and discounts. Teachers often get a commission for themselves if they persuade the school to introduce a new textbook. That is the way of all procurement.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 38 Rhubar


    eviltwin wrote: »
    My daughters school has the crested jumpers / skirt combo. Not only that their school jacket has to be a certain one which alone costs 70 euros :eek:

    And this is a school in a disadvantaged area....

    Last year I know some parents tried to get around it by sewing crests from old jumpers on the cheaper versions from the supermarkets but the kids were sent home so I wouldn't risk it.

    I wouldn't mind paying the money if the quality justified the price but they don't last all that long and end up looking like rubbish after a few washes.

    Is this a primary or secondary school? I have heard that parents of primary school children are under no obligation to put their child in a uniform and that the school cannot insist that the children wear uniforms. Does anyone know if this is in fact the law?

    The school my children go to has a crested navy jumper but plenty of children go in with just plain navy jumpers or with the crest sewn on and thankfully they don't mind at all.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,696 thesimpsons
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    when son was in 1st yr we had to buy school crrested polo shirt for PE. When they brought out a new design one in 2nd year, I sent son in with a note saying the original one still fitted him and I would buy the new version when it was needed. PE teacher gave a bit of a mumble but that was the end of it. son now in TY year and the original one still fits. Maybe some parents need to stand their ground and just insist they aren't shelling out money for unnecessary items. We also managed to share a CSPE book for over 3 years between son and daughter in different schools which gave us another 32e saving.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,937 implausible
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    kneeler wrote: »
    The school doesn't make the money. It is paid to individuals by way of kickbacks and discounts. Teachers often get a commission for themselves if they persuade the school to introduce a new textbook. That is the way of all procurement.

    Are you being serious? Jaysus, Gill&Macmillan and Folens owe me a fortune, I must get on it right away:rolleyes:

    That is not the way of procurement in schools. Teachers have to declare an interest and are answerable to the Board of Management and the DES. The conspiracy theories deepen....

    For what it's worth - I completely agree that school uniforms should be generic. There is no need for every item of clothing to be crested. Providing a sew-on or iron-on crest is a great idea and one which I will be suggesting next term.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,779 up for anything
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    My pet rant... the quality of school uniform crested jumpers. My son had two jumpers starting secondary last year - each are in perfect condition after a year of use.

    My daughter now heading into 5th year has had two new jumpers every year because the cuffs and 'waistband' fray completely and the principal at her school reads the riot act when he sees them in frayed jumpers. Also this year he has apparently decided to make sure the skirt length rule gets kept. He'll have a fit when he sees her skirts with the previously turned up hem mark on her skirts but I can't afford to buy her new ones especially when these still fit her.

    Last year I asked the school outfitters shop assistant why the jumpers frayed and she said it was because teens constantly pulled down the sleeves and curled the cuffs in their fists. She doesn't do that and any how it doesn't explain how the waist band frays. If one school's jumpers can last a year and still look perfect why can't another's. I'm sure they are probably churned out by the same factories.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,427 Morag
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    not true.

    While your experience is not the same as my experience that does not make my experience not true.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,427 Morag
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    tesco have a uniform deal on, got a new school coat, trousers and a 3pack of long sleeved shirts for 17:50.

    6019602456_98eed12276.jpg

    We were out in the Maynooth branch this evening and most things were well stocked aside from navy trousers, they had plenty of grey and black.


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  • Moderators, Education Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 12,514 byhookorbycrook
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    Sharrow wrote: »
    The local parish priest is the head of the board of management for all the Catholic National Schools(92% of all national schools) in the country.

    He is the Patron's (bishops's) rep on the board of Management and no matter what the parent's want the Patron and his Rep have the final say.
    Incorrect.


  • Moderators, Education Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 12,514 byhookorbycrook
    Mod ✭✭✭✭


    kneeler wrote: »
    The school doesn't make the money. It is paid to individuals by way of kickbacks and discounts. Teachers often get a commission for themselves if they persuade the school to introduce a new textbook. That is the way of all procurement.
    Proof????Or do you just throw out such "facts" as gospel with no evidence????As a matter of interest if the TESCO stuff made ethically or so they use child labour?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,427 Morag
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    http://www.svp.ie/News/Press-Releases/TESCO-BACK-TO-SCHOOL-INITIATIVE-FOR-SVP.aspx
    The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) will receive a boost from a Back to School fundraising initiative with Tesco which will run in 131 Tesco stores nationwide in the first two weeks of August.

    Between August 1st and August 14th, Tesco will donate €5 to the SVP for every €20 spent on participating Back to School products.



    Tesco are supporting the campaign through a national advertising campaign using TV, radio and press.

    Michelle Mahon, Corporate Responsibility Manager at Tesco said, “We are delighted to partner with the St Vincent de Paul to raise money to make the Back to School time easier for struggling families across Ireland. Through working with our customers we hope to raise thousands for euro for the SVP and this will be topped up by our donation of €5 from every €20 spent on selected Back to School uniforms and accessories.”


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 10 concisemum


    Hi
    I seem to have stumbled upon one of my fav rant areas.... the cost of educating our kids. I have 4 kids 2 in National school 2 in Secondary. The two in secondary don't have a uniform, brilliant I buy alot of their clothes from M and M direct. The other 2 have a school burgundy tracksuit, supplied by the school at 30 euro a pop. Scandalous if only they would change the uniform to blue or grey I could pick up a tracksuit at Dunnes. But no the colour is burgundy has always been burgundy and will remain burgundy. I know what you mean about the BOM as well, experienced it all first hand myself.
    Don't get me started on the price of books, the school "voluntary" contribution or the various add ons that we incur ohhh and the bus that costs 600 euro a year. Free Education don't make me laugh!!! rant over gonna go lie down and dribble in the corner now


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,791 ash23
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    Ah bugger....I thought I had most of the books I needed done on the cheap. My daughter is going into third class and I bought most of them second hand for €35. Yay says I.
    Went online to order the last of her books (workbooks) and the grand total was €80!!!! :eek:

    I dread to think what it would have cost if I'd had to buy them all new!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 261 saralou2011
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    my daughter is starting jr infants this year her pinafore is crested €32, cardigan €20, and tracksuit €45, crazy prices to charge! and it will get even more expensive as she gets bigger sizes! and it also means i can't afford to buy a spare uniform. all her uniform is maroon so you can't buy it cheap in tesco dunnes cos they don't stock that colour,:mad:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,696 thesimpsons
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    Sharrow wrote: »
    The local parish priest is the head of the board of management for all the Catholic National Schools(92% of all national schools) in the country.

    He is the Patron's (bishops's) rep on the board of Management and no matter what the parent's want the Patron and his Rep have the final say.

    I said it was untrue that the priest is Head of the BOM of all catholic national schools, and that he has the final say. I wasn't commenting on your experiences within the schools.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,696 thesimpsons
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    my daughter is starting jr infants this year her pinafore is crested €32, cardigan €20, and tracksuit €45, crazy prices to charge! and it will get even more expensive as she gets bigger sizes! and it also means i can't afford to buy a spare uniform. all her uniform is maroon so you can't buy it cheap in tesco dunnes cos they don't stock that colour,:mad:

    do you have a Shaws near you or access to one - they stock maroon and I don't think their prices are too high.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 261 saralou2011
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    do you have a Shaws near you or access to one - they stock maroon and I don't think their prices are too high.

    unfortunately all parts of her uniform is crested, and the cardigan has white stripes on the cuffs and bottom. thanks anyhow :)


  • Moderators, Education Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 12,514 byhookorbycrook
    Mod ✭✭✭✭


    kneeler wrote: »
    The school doesn't make the money. It is paid to individuals by way of kickbacks and discounts. Teachers often get a commission for themselves if they persuade the school to introduce a new textbook. That is the way of all procurement.
    Errrr...and you know this how????I have taught in over 10 schools and have never even heard of this, much less benefitted:rolleyes:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,937 implausible
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    Errrr...and you know this how????I have taught in over 10 schools and have never even heard of this, much less benefitted:rolleyes:

    You wouldn't believe the things that people believe about what goes on in schools.

    There are some very dodgy comments about Boards of Managements on this thread too. To clarify - the day of the local priest running the show is over. Boards of Management have to be legally constituted in a certain way, with a certain amount of representatives from some of or all of the following groups - parents, teachers, politicians/locals or the relevant church/patron. The chairmanship of the BOM should rotate between these groups and decisions are taken democratically.

    If parents want a change in uniform, they need to mobilise their rep on the BOM, lobby the teachers and the politicians. It's also essential to have researched figures and details about an alternative to the uniform, just saying 'it's too dear' is not going to be taken seriously. The Parents' Association is there for a reason and can have great leverage if all of the parents engage with it. Too often, many people complain about the school, swap conspiracy theories, don't attend PA meetings and it's the same old people who end up on the BOM with nothing changing.

    If you want a change (and the same goes for book schemes), get started on it now (bear in mind that the local shop could order uniforms after Christmas), so you won't end up with the same bill this time next year.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,441 planetX
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    my daughter is starting jr infants this year her pinafore is crested €32, cardigan €20, and tracksuit €45, crazy prices to charge! and it will get even more expensive as she gets bigger sizes! and it also means i can't afford to buy a spare uniform. all her uniform is maroon so you can't buy it cheap in tesco dunnes cos they don't stock that colour,:mad:

    same here - the curse of maroon. 40E for a shoddy tracksuit that lasts a month. And if you can find the odd top in tesco you can be sure it will be a totally different shade of maroon, hideous. I pass all the navy in Dunnes and Penneys, and weep:(


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,799 StillWaters
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    The companies that embroider sports jerseys etc., will embroider crests on generic clothes. I buy the clothes in M&S, the quality is excellent, and get the crests embroidered on.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,518 OS119
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    Errrr...and you know this how????I have taught in over 10 schools and have never even heard of this, much less benefitted:rolleyes:

    can you explain why schools take the attitides alluded to by other posters if there are not kickbacks involved?

    teachers are, by and large, intelligent, contientious professionals - i can see very little reason why they would give even a mouse-sized poo about the provenance of schools uniforms: trousers right colour? skirt right length? appropriate tie? all reasonable questions - whether they are from Tescos or from Ripoff and Sons however is unlikely to trouble the busy mind of a teacher with 30 sets of books to mark.

    your views?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 505 zanador
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    In our school two teachers got together and decided to organise buying all school books, and the bulk buy discount is passed on to parents.

    They have got no money, kick-back, privilege from this, they did it because, wait for it, they are good, kind people who want to help in any way they can


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