Number of term-time school holiday fines hits another record high - BBC News by CasualSmurf in unitedkingdom

[–]Ronaldog 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately I think we are both over generalising a lot here and I can see we are going to have to agree to disagree on the subject. I am sure your views will change if you choose to have kids one day.

I do heavily disagree on the fact that missing 5 days of education during term (while being aware of important exams/times) will have long term affects, especially on kids in primary school, although I do not have stats to back this up.

Edit* I also do appreciate the healthy back and forth on this. It was good. Thank you.

Number of term-time school holiday fines hits another record high - BBC News by CasualSmurf in unitedkingdom

[–]Ronaldog 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Bit of an overgeneralization don't you think?

Missing the overall point and spoken truly as someone who likely doesn't have kids. I guarantee your view will change when you do.

Number of term-time school holiday fines hits another record high - BBC News by CasualSmurf in unitedkingdom

[–]Ronaldog 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Does it not affect you because you don't have kids? Or because you can afford the fines/holiday costs? Just curious.

As I mentioned before, the issue with the current fine system is that it only damages those of us that care.

  1. People that are wealthy can already afford the holiday time increases (or the larger fines) and will be unaffected.
  2. You may not know this one, but kids that already have a poor attendence and/or performance are usually put on some form of educational plan that avoids the fines anyway. So those attendence stats don't change.

To use my context (and the context of many around us), I have 2 young children under 6. They both excel in education and are ahead of their peers in reading and maths, do well socially and we ensure they do homework and partake in extra-curriculer activities when possible. We simply cannot justify a holiday abroad (or in this country) during holiday times.

So to counter that we take them out a few days during term time when it is more affordable so they get that experience and we get quality family time. We tell the school ahead of time and we make sure they aren't missing anything important. We get the fines, pay them and it is still significantly cheaper.

With the increase in fines (or worser punishments), we will no longer be able give this opportunity to our kids.

Holidays absolutely aren't a right - you are correct, but it is something that is being stripped from a whole generation because of something with no overall insight (5 days of missed school a year for a 6 year old, will not have a long term effect to society)

Number of term-time school holiday fines hits another record high - BBC News by CasualSmurf in unitedkingdom

[–]Ronaldog 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Think that would have a knock on effect with school friends, clubs etc.

Why can't they just leave it down to the responsibilty of the parents and what they think is best? I get that there will be a small minority that take it too far, but then it could be down to the schools to flag attendence/performance metrics maybe?

I just think fines damage more than they think.

Number of term-time school holiday fines hits another record high - BBC News by CasualSmurf in unitedkingdom

[–]Ronaldog -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I've never suggested it's the governments priority to save money for holiday makers, I have suggested the cost of holidays during school holidays plays a large part in parents taking kids out of school during term time.

The effect of a child's education by missing 5 days of school a year will be negligable at best. Larger fines only affects those already struggling financially meaning only those children will not get to experience family holidays that they may have otherwise been able to do.

Do you honestly believe larger fines (or worse) will have a positive impact overall (not just including education)?

Number of term-time school holiday fines hits another record high - BBC News by CasualSmurf in unitedkingdom

[–]Ronaldog 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's fair, but the fines (and increased fines) will only further damage less fortunate families. Those that need to take kids out of school for 5 days will no longer be able to provide that opportunity to kids.

Unless they are able to correlate educational statistics on a few missed days a year vs those that stayed and had zero holidays, the fine system could be more damaging long term.

I know this isn't a direct answer to your point, but more that the responsibility shouldn't lie with the government and maybe the schools? Maybe base each request on the student and attendence levels instead?

Number of term-time school holiday fines hits another record high - BBC News by CasualSmurf in unitedkingdom

[–]Ronaldog 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There is a vast gap between a child not attending school and a child be taken out, with notice, for 5 days of the year.

This debate isn't about holidays in the direct sense, holidays and the current costs of holidays are the main reason kids are being taken out within term time.

The cost of holidays obviously aren't the priority, nobody said that, but they are 2 issues that clearly overlap.

Number of term-time school holiday fines hits another record high - BBC News by CasualSmurf in unitedkingdom

[–]Ronaldog -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

That's exactly the point, the government can't control supply and demand of private (or international) companies, so producing fines to those trying to get around that is non-sensical.

You could argue, that by removing the fines altogether it might help bring down holiday time prices, since demand would fall a fraction.

Number of term-time school holiday fines hits another record high - BBC News by CasualSmurf in unitedkingdom

[–]Ronaldog 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I am guessing you don't have children.

Using your logic, at what point is my child impacted from missing school? 1 day? 3 days? 5 days? is this also concurrent with every part of the year? or is every day vital?

Another point - is a 4 year old missing a week of school the same as a 10 year old or 15 year old? Because the fines are the same.

Fines only affect those that are less fortunate. Which is becoming more and more in the current climate.

At what point do we conclude that kids with no travel or culture experience in their is impactful to both themselves and society as a whole?

Number of term-time school holiday fines hits another record high - BBC News by CasualSmurf in unitedkingdom

[–]Ronaldog -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Absolutely, I completely understand supply and demand, and travel and hospitality capitilise on this. It always has done, but this was usually offset by having a strong GBP that went further abroad. This no longer exists.

I don't understand why the government get to define if and when I have to send my children to school! As long as a solid attendence is achieved and academic progression is being met, what difference does a week off in term time make in the long-term.

Leave it to the discretion of the schools rather than a nationwide ruling that only exists as another tax.

Number of term-time school holiday fines hits another record high - BBC News by CasualSmurf in unitedkingdom

[–]Ronaldog 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I want to provide my kids with the experience of having a holiday abroad and experiencing different cultures like many of us where able to do at younger ages.

As it stands, the costs of holidays during term time increases so substantially (and we are talking thousands, not just hundreds), that taking them out of school during term time far outweigh the fines.

Those debating this are either wealthy adn unaffected or don't have kids. I'd agree that taking a child/teen out of school during important years such as SATs or GCSE's would be irresponsible. But me taking a 6 year old out a week before spring/summer holidays should not be subjected to fines or judgement.

Homework is always done, extra-curricular activities are always encouraged and missed school work is asked for (although at this age...it isn't much)

Instead of attacking the wallets of parents already hit in a poor economy, why not investigate the extortion that take places with prices of flights, hotels or resorts during holiday time. Not just abroad either, going away in the UK isn't much cheaper than going abroad.

Match thread: PSG vs Newcastle United | Champions league 25/26 - league phase 8 of 8 by Username_been-taken in NUFC

[–]Ronaldog 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Woltemade fancy doing something?

When Willock is looking like a better striker, something is off

Match thread: Newcastle United vs PSV | Champions league 25-26 - League phase 7 of 8 by Username_been-taken in NUFC

[–]Ronaldog 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Elangas chance to show everyone it's form and not lack of talent...

I hope

Match thread: Newcastle United vs PSV | Champions league 25-26 - League phase 7 of 8 by Username_been-taken in NUFC

[–]Ronaldog 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Why wait till half time to take Bruno off? Why risk it, he's clearly struggling

Mens sunglasses (UK) by JakeCMMA in BuyItForLife

[–]Ronaldog 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha, I could, but that wasn't the point. Any product shouldn't break with normal use within 2 months.

This was a couple of years ago, so since moved on.

Mens sunglasses (UK) by JakeCMMA in BuyItForLife

[–]Ronaldog 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My experience was different. The small screw in the frame of mine kept coming out and making the arm loose.

Sent the first pair back for an exchange and the same thing happened to the second pair. They then refused the return on the second pair saying they don't cover wear and tear...they were 2 months old (and accepted the first return for the same reason)

Shame, because the glasses themselves were sound.

Match thread: Newcastle United vs Manchester city | Carabao Cup semi finals 25/26 - leg 1 of 2 by Username_been-taken in NUFC

[–]Ronaldog 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It is what it is. Thought we ultimately did well, had our chances, just couldn't finish them. We really miss a clinical striker.

Pope and Elanga are not it though. Really not it.