School Books Payment Due in March?

DGOBS

I just received a payment request for next years school books (rental fees) to be paid by March 22nd?

Is it just me or does anyone else find this ridiculous?

Why would school book sneed to be paid for nearly 6 months in advance?

byhookorbycrook

If it's a rental scheme, it's to let the school buy the books for the scheme in time for next year. Many schools get no DES subsidy for rental, so have to depend on money in to buy for September.

DGOBS

But if your dealing with a supplier, and you have 10,000's to spend, surely you can place an order without cash upfront...I mean 6 months in advance?

(if thats a fact, i will go into the school books business tomorrow!)

DGOBS

And onto of that, to expect parents to find 100's of € with 8 days notice (i have 3 children in the school) is not in touch with reality

Yawns

Double check your letter. It could be a request for people who owe money for this year and they want to be paid before the year is out. Or could be due to people not paying that they are starting payment well in advance. My kids school is owed fees still at this stage by some people.

byhookorbycrook

Unfortunately, people often don't pay in time and it's a nightmare for the school to order in time. I'd contact the school and offer to pay by installment. Schools don't have funds in stock to bulk order in advance.

DGOBS

Yawns, nope, next years payment 100%.

I bulk order and pay 30/60/90 days after delivery as per terms, on almost everything, it's the way most business works.
So why would anyone in their right minds pay for something 6 months before they need it?

I don't want to pay by instalment, I just don't want to buy school books 6 months before I need them, I would rather buy my own (but that's not allowed either)

Yawns

wow weird. Dunno what to make of it tbh. We just pay school fees and requisites etc. Books are now a buy it yourself option only. Booklist given to parents and up to them to get it. They have started to ask for the fees and requisites to be paid around May for last 2 years now with intention of having everyone paid by September but always a few who refuse for some reason.

byhookorbycrook

If you want to buy your own, then let the school know that.Since the moratorium on post holders , schools have to depend on teacher who will give up their own time, on top of all the other demands , to do rental schemes.

DGOBS

Teachers don't do a rental scheme here, its the PA, and its gotten earlier and earlier every year.
It's also compulsory in the school

It's just 6 month in advance seems totally crazy. They have buying power of €10-20k, and they buy them at a local outlet, pay months in advance, somethings off IMO.

Either that, of they haven't a clue how to talk to a supplier and get what they want

Big Bag of Chips

Why don't you offer to help the PA sort it properly then? You seem to know what you're talking about.

Love2love

We have to pay in full by May for next year plus any uniform orders that have been made.
The PA brought this in last year due to the amount of parents that were not paying. I found it annoying that I was being punished for what other parents were failing to do but come September I was very glad to have it all out of the way so I could buy other equipment / shoes / coats etc

March seems a tad early though! Plus we were notified in September that this would be the case and PA ran a saving / instalments scheme that allowed us to pay it off bit by bit

DGOBS

BBoC, thats why I was asking, is this the normal dealing all schools have with suppliers?

Big Bag of Chips

I don't know! In our school it is organised through the school. With the booklists in June we get a list of things that need to be paid in Sep. Our book rental is only about €10 per child because we still buy a lot of books ourselves and rent the readers. Last year I paid over €200 for books I had to buy and about €30 for book rental. Some schools provide everything including pencils and copies. So each school does its own thing.

If you think the system is flawed, get involved to change it. The PA are voluntary, and usually made up of parents who genuinely want to help out, even if they're not up on buying/selling power!! If you think you can offer something, then offer it. Nothing worse than a band of parents giving out about everything but being sure to stand well back from offering any help

OU812

Maybe suggest they introduce a standing order system so the annual cost is broken out monthly or even weekly?

byhookorbycrook

Interesting that it's the PA and that it's compulsory . Did you ask why it is not optional ?

DGOBS

I never said I wouldn't provide help. wasn't going to go in all guns blazing without knowing is this the norm.
I just re-read the note, it sates all parents must pay in full by that date, and that its compulsory.

I does include all books, but not copies and pencils etc (I remember last year only too well, the 'teacher wish list of copies' 1/4 of which are sitting here still unused, so hoping they are same on the list for this year)

This school also has a 'compulsory' swim lessons that you have to pay for. All a bit crazy IMO

Big Bag of Chips

Every school will have its own system. Are you sure the PA organise it? Maybe they contribute to the cost of the books but I can't see them actually taking on the book rental scheme and policing demanding large sums of money from parents that must be paid.

You might be better going in and having a chat with the principal and seeing is there any help you can offer and if things can be organised in a better way for future.

Also, having a date in March that things must be paid for is more than likely giving an early date so that the school are fairly sure to have all or at least the majority of money in by the end of June. Lots of people tend to put things on the long finger.

OU812

DGOBS wrote: »

This school also has a 'compulsory' swim lessons that you have to pay for. All a bit crazy IMO

It's vital for kids to learn to swim. All the better that it's part of the curriculum.

If only they'd make car maintenance & learning to drive part of secondary school.

byhookorbycrook

No school provides free swimming lessons- and the DES doesn't contribute towards them either .

DGOBS

Again, it's not paying for them, is the fact they are compulsory for people, and puts pressure on parents.

I pay for my kids to do swimming lessons independently of the school, and the school swimming is for six lessons, not a school year, so is absolutely pointless, as it takes a lot longer than 6 lessons for a child to learn to swim. But yet I (and other parents) are forced to pay for these useless lessons, where there isn't a useful teacher-instructor ratio to gain anything of value, it's paying lip service to 'our school does swimming lessons', I really don't see the point.

I agree wholeheartedly that every child learning to swim is a vital life skill, but a 6 lessons (45mins a lesson) for 1st 3rd and 5th class is useless and an extra burden to parents. If there was a year round link up with the local pool to provide proper progressive lessons, fair enough, I would see a benefit, but not like this.

DGOBS

Guys don't get me wrong, I paid the fee today, as I always would. But just struggle to understand it.
Other friends and neighbours I know personally are struggling.

newacc2015

If I was the school, I would negotiate with the supplier to accept a down payment of say 10-25% of the cost of the books and the rest is cash on delivery. I would not be surprised if the supplier is paying on the pressure to a lot of schools to get money in the door now to fund the six months of printing, advertising etc of their other books. They are using this payment now as a free source of finance

OP my suggestion is next year put €10 per week in a post office or CU account to pay for the books. You know you have to purchase them every year, just try save for them in advance.

But I would get onto the school to say that they are probably been taken for a ride by the printer

Big Bag of Chips

DGOBS wrote: »

Other friends and neighbours I know personally are struggling.

Schools will always try to accommodate people who are struggling as much as possible. They understand the requests for cash can get a bit much at times. Schools can't do swimming lessons all year round because usually there I'd only 1 pool in an area to service schools within a 15 mile radius (outside of most urban areas, anyway). So every school needs to get a chance. Many children may be brought to swimming lessons privately, but some children won't be, and the lessons with school might be the only time they get in a pool and get any sort of instruction. It's not ideal, but it's not the worst thing the school can ask you to send money in for. My lads are swimming with school at the minute and have come on hugely in the few weeks.

Schools, where possible, will accommodate families. But the families need to approach the school. Also I think if you are unhappy with something it's up to you to broach it with the school. If nobody speaks up then nothing will ever change. Maybe find out when the next parents association meeting is on and go along and bring it up. Ask if other parents would like the scheme looked at. Offer suggestions and alternatives.

Things change all the time, but someone has to stand up and suggest change.

AndrewJRenko

newacc2015 wrote: »

But I would get onto the school to say that they are probably been taken for a ride by the printer

It's a good point. In my experience, many schools miss opportunities to get better value through negotiation and procurement. There is no pressure on book suppliers to make updates available free of charge, and supply electronic versions in formats that students can use without additional fees.

Procurement is a great tool, and schools have lots of direct and indirect purchasing power.

infogiver

DGOBS wrote: »

Again, it's not paying for them, is the fact they are compulsory for people, and puts pressure on parents.

I pay for my kids to do swimming lessons independently of the school, and the school swimming is for six lessons, not a school year, so is absolutely pointless, as it takes a lot longer than 6 lessons for a child to learn to swim. But yet I (and other parents) are forced to pay for these useless lessons, where there isn't a useful teacher-instructor ratio to gain anything of value, it's paying lip service to 'our school does swimming lessons', I really don't see the point.

I agree wholeheartedly that every child learning to swim is a vital life skill, but a 6 lessons (45mins a lesson) for 1st 3rd and 5th class is useless and an extra burden to parents. If there was a year round link up with the local pool to provide proper progressive lessons, fair enough, I would see a benefit, but not like this.

What about the kids whose parents would never take them to swimming lessons if the school didn't? There's loads never bother about anything like that.
And before you say that those kids should go to the swimming lessons while yours stay in school counting beans or something I just want to know who you think should supervise your kids who don't need the lessons?
Also these swimming lessons must be extortionately expensive for you to be so annoyed at having to pay for 6 for each child?

DGOBS

Infogiver, a family member is a lifeguard and swim coach, and she will tell you 6 lessons will not teach anyone to swim and there is little benefit.
I don't want to go too off topic with this, it was just another example of how this particular school has financial expectation of parents.

As for who should supervise kids who don't participate if they don't need/want/afford lessons, this is a problem of the schools making not mine. They are making this compulsory, and as far as the department of education is concerned (from what I have read) they are not supposed to, and any child not wishing to partake in these schemes must be accommodated.

This month, it has been, a voluntary €40, a compulsory book rental for next year (€90 per child), money for 6 compulsory swimming lessons and bus, money for the school tour (I see 6th class this year is €60 for tour). Alongside with conformation was this month, and communion is 6 weeks away. And the communication of this (in the way it has been sent) amounted to a demand letter, was very 'MUST PAY IN FULL BY' bold and underlined. This is not the way to communicate with people, and show understanding.

I know of one particular lady who is in a lot of distress this month over this, and is looking at cancelling her child's birthday party. I just feel this school is mounting undue financial pressure on people, with no regard for the position they may be in.

I am going to offer to help with the book rental scheme, and was also going to suggest a parents saving scheme for the following year.
I am not on a witch hunt, I am looking for ideas and information to formulate a plan to try and help this to be a better situation for parents.

Rhinohippo

One other possibility as part of the reason for asking for money in advance, might be that there are many families who don't bother to tell schools that they are leaving and won't be around next year. I know this is NOT the main reason in your case.

My sister is in the management of a primary school and she said that it makes things really difficult for schools when parents book places in lots of schools and don't bother to tell the other schools they won't be attending there the following year. It also seems to happen (in some schools more than others, I would imagine), that some families move to other schools, without telling the school, which has a knock on effect on pupil numbers, classes, staffing and so on.

That seems to be a reason why some schools may have no option but to get some parents to commit. I'm NOT saying this is the main reason, just another consideration from the point of view of schools.

Rhinohippo

I would add however that anybody in difficulty should approach the school directly and in confidence and I have no doubt that the situation would be dealt with appropriately and with compassion. The letter I would imagine was intended for the many who could well afford to pay but may either forget or choose not to bother paying unless or until they have to;

kandr10

DGOBS wrote: »

Infogiver, a family member is a lifeguard and swim coach, and she will tell you 6 lessons will not teach anyone to swim and there is little benefit.
I don't want to go too off topic with this, it was just another example of how this particular school has financial expectation of parents.

As for who should supervise kids who don't participate if they don't need/want/afford lessons, this is a problem of the schools making not mine. They are making this compulsory, and as far as the department of education is concerned (from what I have read) they are not supposed to, and any child not wishing to partake in these schemes must be accommodated.

This month, it has been, a voluntary €40, a compulsory book rental for next year (€90 per child), money for 6 compulsory swimming lessons and bus, money for the school tour (I see 6th class this year is €60 for tour). Alongside with conformation was this month, and communion is 6 weeks away. And the communication of this (in the way it has been sent) amounted to a demand letter, was very 'MUST PAY IN FULL BY' bold and underlined. This is not the way to communicate with people, and show understanding.

I know of one particular lady who is in a lot of distress this month over this, and is looking at cancelling her child's birthday party. I just feel this school is mounting undue financial pressure on people, with no regard for the position they may be in.

I am going to offer to help with the book rental scheme, and was also going to suggest a parents saving scheme for the following year.
I am not on a witch hunt, I am looking for ideas and information to formulate a plan to try and help this to be a better situation for parents.

The aim of the aquatics strand in pe is not to just teach strokes but centres more so around water safety, hygiene, developing awareness and confidence while in the water. This is highly beneficial to those children who have never had the opportunity to go to formal lessons. I would be interested to know where you read that swimming is not compulsory. While it doesn't have to be taught at all class levels, it is a strand in the pe curriculum.

I can understand that it might seem extreme to ask for large sums of money so far in advance but a lot of parents prefer for 'bills' not to arrive in September as there are so many other expenses.

Finally, while you might think you can run a school like a business and do things more efficiently, There is more to it than that. Cash flow for one. Without these payments being made promptly a school basically doesn't have cash flow. Chasing a certain number of parents for their contributions is a full time job in itself!

DGOBS

Kandr10, apologies, I just read the primary curriculum, which has certainly changed over the years (since I last read it) on this subject. So swimming I see is now part of the curriculum, interesting. So as a compulsory subject a school has to provide, and the school is now enforcing a payment from the parents, is this not contravening our constitution?

As i read it a few years back, swimming was not compulsory then. (but what is offered is a token, and of no huge benefit IMO)

Extract from article 42
4:The State shall provide for free primary education and shall endeavour to supplement and give reasonable aid to private and corporate educational initiative, and, when the public good requires it, provide other educational facilities or institutions with due regard, however, for the rights of parents, especially in the matter of religious and moral formation."

I can understand that it might seem extreme to ask for large sums of money so far in advance but a lot of parents prefer for 'bills' not to arrive in September as there are so many other expenses.

Should that not be up to a parent to choose?

Finally, while you might think you can run a school like a business and do things more efficiently, There is more to it than that. Cash flow for one. Without these payments being made promptly a school basically doesn't have cash flow. Chasing a certain number of parents for their contributions is a full time job in itself!

This is not a contribution, its a demand letter for payment.

Of course a school can be run 'more like a business' as to do this would yield efficiency gains. There are certainly areas that can be tightened up on.
One simple example is printing, I've seen schools squander a fortune on it, where there are simple pre-paid monthly solutions that can be used (think Bytech do one at the minute) And schools that don't utilise their collective buying power for books, copies etc. are not using resources that they have available, even if that means an areas schools pooling resources to do so, not many businesses turn down the opportunity for continual business every year for multiple €10k's of supplies (books or anything else).

DGOBS

Also, could I ask, what are parents on here paying for the book rental.

I had a call from an upset parent tonight, who is also claiming that €75 is too much, and that another local school is only €40, surely this isn't right? (just looking to see what the benchmark is out there)

Big Bag of Chips

Schools charge for swimming because very few schools would have access to their own pool, so they need to hire the pool and the instructors. If you really could not afford it, or really did not want your child taking part then they would be accommodated by the school. They might even still go to the pool and sit out with the supervising teacher. Catch up on homework or something. You might be surprised to find that some children are most likely being accommodated in some way or other by the school.

Like I mentioned previously, our book rental is between €6-10 depending on the class. But it covers very few books and I paid over €200 for books last year that I had to buy and probably won't be able to be reused as they get written in during the year.

I would strongly suggest that you, and the other parents who are complaining or struggling make it your business to attend the next parents association meeting and officially voice your concerns. Ringing each other to complain isn't going to make change. Or maybe as part of the PA or even as a group who go to the principal together you can get a better feel and explanation why things are the way they are and why things cost how much they cost.

DGOBS

BBoC, No I don't intend to complain, I intend to find a better solution and present it, with a willingness to help (I am not here to be the problem, more part of the solution) was looking for opinions. Parents (friends) have called me to discuss, and some were upset and struggling, this is what has prompted me.

The book rental scheme in as far as what it covers is good, it's all books and readers, regardless if they are no re-useable workbooks (I have only ever paid for shadow books for extra for my child)

I would like the see the scheme extended to cover copies, pencils, everything a child would need, as buying in bulk can only serve to reduce costs.

As for the swimming, I don't want to get off topic with it (I shouldn't have mentioned it in this post) but did just to illustrate how parents were being overstretched at this time of year with multiple school bills. (I understand schools have to hire facilities, but in my view Article 42 is explicit regardless of this fact, and if the DOE see fit to make it compulsory, then it should be paid for by them)

Big Bag of Chips

That would be something you'd have to bring up with the Dept though. The school are fulfilling their obligation, and the Dept will say that parents should not be asked to pay extra for anything that is on the curriculum, with the exception of swimming. I didn't mean for it to come across as criticising you for complaining and not doing anything. What I meant was if there are a number of like-minded parents who are willing to band together and approach the school then you'd definitely have strength in numbers.

Rhinohippo

DGOBS wrote: »

Also, could I ask, what are parents on here paying for the book rental.

I had a call from an upset parent tonight, who is also claiming that €75 is too much, and that another local school is only €40, surely this isn't right? (just looking to see what the benchmark is out there)

You had a call from an upset parent?? Have you been attending Parents' Association meetings and been constructive? Are you chairperson of the Parents' Association or have you just been stirring the pot, looking in from the outside and finding fault?

I don't mean this to sound critical but it does strike me, reading through this thread, that there is an awful of of criticism going on. Hurlers on the ditch are ALWAYS the best hurlers, who know everything that should be done, without actually seeing the bigger picture. If I was you, I would become involved in a constructive, not destructive and dismissive way.

Rhinohippo

I believe it was Mícheál Martin who quite rightly brought in that schools had to provide swimming as part of the curriculum. That was laudible. Only problem was that no funding was provided for it, so why blame schools?

Big Bag of Chips

DGOBS wrote: »

BBoC, No I don't intend to complain, I intend to find a better solution and present it

You can't find a "better solution" until you first go and see what the current arrangement is. The school down the road offering book rental for €45... What does it cover? Our book rental is less than a tenner, but that doesn't mean we're getting a better deal!!

You need to go to the school first, see what is currently being done and how it is organised and then sit down with a few people and see what can be changed or renegotiated.

infogiver

Any parent who genuinely is having difficulty with meeting the costs associated with children attending school should arrange to meet with the principal in private to discuss the situation.
Families who qualify for a medical card or FIS can be helped out extensively, but if there are other factors coming into play for instance a sick parent, or a parent or family member with social issues, then the school may not be aware of this and should be informed.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/primary_and_post_primary_education/educational_supports/school_books_scheme.html

Rhinohippo

I would imagine that suggestions are always helpful and welcome. I would caution however that while there are times when somebody on the outside may be able to see or suggest a better way of doing things, there are undoubtedly many other variables at work, which can sometimes determine how things are done, why they are done, how much they cost etc.. In relation to book rental, I've heard of cases where book rental is more expensive in the initial stages when high investment is required but the cost may fall in subsequent years, if the investment is not quite so large. It all depends on the bigger picture.

DGOBS

You had a call from an upset parent?? Have you been attending Parents' Association meetings and been constructive? Are you chairperson of the Parents' Association or have you just been stirring the pot, looking in from the outside and finding fault?

I don't mean this to sound critical but it does strike me, reading through this thread, that there is an awful of of criticism going on. Hurlers on the ditch are ALWAYS the best hurlers, who know everything that should be done, without actually seeing the bigger picture. If I was you, I would become involved in a constructive, not destructive and dismissive way.

Yes I had a call from an upset parent (a close friend of mine), yes, at the moment I am on the outside looking in, trying to find a better solution!
I don't have to be a chairperson to find fault and see what can be done about it. Or is asking questions and seeking opinions wrong in your eyes?
I will become involved when I find myself well informed with something constructive to add, hence my journey.

I would imagine that suggestions are always helpful and welcome. I would caution however that while there are times when somebody on the outside may be able to see or suggest a better way of doing things, there are undoubtedly many other variables at work, which can sometimes determine how things are done, why they are done, how much they cost etc.. In relation to book rental, I've heard of cases where book rental is more expensive in the initial stages when high investment is required but the cost may fall in subsequent years, if the investment is not quite so large. It all depends on the bigger picture.

On the outside looking in, correct, but somethings those on the inside also have to peer out through the glass to see the effects they are having. I am not pulling down the cos, I am asking for some input to find a benchmark, again, before passing judgement.

kandr10

DGOBS wrote: »

Kandr10, apologies, I just read the primary curriculum, which has certainly changed over the years (since I last read it) on this subject. So swimming I see is now part of the curriculum, interesting. So as a compulsory subject a school has to provide, and the school is now enforcing a payment from the parents, is this not contravening our constitution?

As i read it a few years back, swimming was not compulsory then. (but what is offered is a token, and of no huge benefit IMO)

Extract from article 42
4:The State shall provide for free primary education and shall endeavour to supplement and give reasonable aid to private and corporate educational initiative, and, when the public good requires it, provide other educational facilities or institutions with due regard, however, for the rights of parents, especially in the matter of religious and moral formation."


Should that not be up to a parent to choose?


This is not a contribution, its a demand letter for payment.

Of course a school can be run 'more like a business' as to do this would yield efficiency gains. There are certainly areas that can be tightened up on.
One simple example is printing, I've seen schools squander a fortune on it, where there are simple pre-paid monthly solutions that can be used (think Bytech do one at the minute) And schools that don't utilise their collective buying power for books, copies etc. are not using resources that they have available, even if that means an areas schools pooling resources to do so, not many businesses turn down the opportunity for continual business every year for multiple €10k's of supplies (books or anything else).

A couple of points here: the new curriculum was introduced in 1999 so if you have children in school now, you haven't actually looked at the document since they started! As far as the cost is concerned, that is a matter for the department of education not the school.

How exactly have you seen a school squander money on printing? Are you aware of how many options they considered before choosing? Are you aware of the schools printing needs and whether they will be met by the company you suggested? It's fine to be on the outside asking questions and looking for better solutions, but without all of the information, you're simply not qualified.

It is beyond the remit of a school to use purchasing power to get deals on school supplies. Its one thing to use their purchasing power when it comes to the expenses of running and maintaining the school but quite another to use it to save parents a few quid on a pack of copies!

AndrewJRenko

kandr10 wrote: »

It is beyond the remit of a school to use purchasing power to get deals on school supplies.

Why? Surely anyone making any purchase decision with someone else's money should make reasonable efforts to get best value for money?

DGOBS

A couple of points here: the new curriculum was introduced in 1999 so if you have children in school now, you haven't actually looked at the document since they started! As far as the cost is concerned, that is a matter for the department of education not the school.

Yes it is a long time since I read it, and they are in primary school, so no, it's not a document I tend to read in my spare time for fun.
As far as cost is concerned if a school seeks it from parents it's every stakeholders concern.
Also, it's the school sending the demand letters, not the DOE.

How exactly have you seen a school squander money on printing? Are you aware of how many options they considered before choosing? Are you aware of the schools printing needs and whether they will be met by the company you suggested? It's fine to be on the outside asking questions and looking for better solutions, but without all of the information, you're simply not qualified.

I can clearly see this from the money that is charged, versus the printable that are given, and yes, the company actively seeks schools and offer all their printing needs for a fixed fee.

It is beyond the remit of a school to use purchasing power to get deals on school supplies. Its one thing to use their purchasing power when it comes to the expenses of running and maintaining the school but quite another to use it to save parents a few quid on a pack of copies!

A. It's the PA not the school that runs the scheme
B. It's certainly incumbent on any party to ensure value for money (especially other peoples money)


Finally, you have no idea of in what I am qualified of not, nor are you in a position to judge me.
As with all threads 'attack the post, not the poster', Thanks.

The problem I find with most of these issues, is people just get their backs up when someone asks a question.
I am seeking information to try an improve a problem and engage with the school and PA on the matter to find a better solution.

byhookorbycrook

We have tried buying copies etc in bulk. Many parents didn't want them, they felt they got deals elsewhere (such as ones offered by supermarkets where so many euro spent meant a pack of free copies) Infant parents love the idea of shopping with their child for pencils/crayons etc. and didn't want to be included either. Children who mind their things from year to year didn't need new colouring supplies and so on. And some parents just won't pay. As teachers, we won't deny any child, but you will find there are serial non-payers who raise the cost for everyone else.

Big Bag of Chips

DGOBS wrote: »

I am seeking information to try an improve a problem and engage with the school and PA on the matter to find a better solution.

The only advice people here can give is to talk to the school. Nobody knows the exact details and terms of what the school offers or has in place. Maybe you will come up with a better solution/price for all parents. Maybe the school have honed this after years of experience.

Go to the school, get the information and THEN come up with a solution. If there is one.

(Then sell the idea to other schools and make a fortune !!)

DGOBS

HoBC, thanks for the info, kinda guessed some no-payer etc would have to factored in to overall costs.

BBoC, I wasn't going to tackle the school or PA at the moment, as whats in place of this year is already in motion, but once it's complete was going to offer to get involved for next year and see what can be done. I am sure this must have been attempted before, maybe it can't be better than the school have it now.
But worth a try at least, will cost me nothing but time.

Rhinohippo

DGOBS wrote: »

HoBC, thanks for the info, kinda guessed some no-payer etc would have to factored in to overall costs.

BBoC, I wasn't going to tackle the school or PA at the moment, as whats in place of this year is already in motion, but once it's complete was going to offer to get involved for next year and see what can be done. I am sure this must have been attempted before, maybe it can't be better than the school have it now.
But worth a try at least, will cost me nothing but time.

Sounds like a very reasonable approach.

AidanadiA

Wait till Secondary level, Daughter is in 4th year(TY) is due to go to Poland for a History trip on the 26th of April. This trip is costing €750 (actual cost, spending money, items required for trip) now we just paid the final instalment in February.

Great, fine, whatever. Letter comes home on Monday 3rd, €150 due for their 5th year trip to Italy to guarantee a place. Payment due 25th of April. Next payment of €200 due 22nd May with two further installments to be made in September and October!

So there's a parent night for the Poland trip on Tuesday 4th, I ask why they need to have the money for next years trip in the week they go to Poland.

"Oh, I know nothing about the 5th year trip." Deadpan, end of conversation.

I get that these trips are not compulsory nor are they deemed part of the curriculum, but you don't want your kid being left out either.

Rhinohippo

That's frustrating. Having said that, all of the children will say, 'Oh, all of my friends are going.....'. If you speak to some of the other parents, you'll probably find that lots of others are feeling the same way as you but also all feeling they don't want their child to be the only one being left out.

infogiver

Rhinohippo wrote: »

That's frustrating. Having said that, all of the children will say, 'Oh, all of my friends are going.....'. If you speak to some of the other parents, you'll probably find that lots of others are feeling the same way as you but also all feeling they don't want their child to be the only one being left out.

My daughter is 19.
Whatever else you listen to, never ever listen to "but everyone else is..." or "nobody else's parents minded".
It's just not true.