Back to School

Due to the happy coincidence of only being able to take my third week of holiday when my kids have already returned to school, I had the joyous experience of being able to go to my elder son's school presentation meeting.

Now entering year 10, it is an important year and I was expecting the othe parents to have understood the objective of the meeting - for the school to tell us what will happen for all our children, the rules and any changes from last year.

• It is NOT a forum for each parent to raise questions specific to their child.
• The school rules HAVE been thought through, and are thus NOT negotiable.
• Opinions on the Government's regulations NEED NOT be given, as there is no Government representative present.

I was amazed by the lack of understanding of such obvious principles among a number of parents, and their total disregard for the time wasted for everyone present. It was most as bad as those condominium meetings where everyone who goes has something to say and pet hate to air.

With that level of education among the parents, I can't see much point in their paying the rather steep fees charged to have their children at the school. They won't get far setting that kind of example.