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Back to school costs
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Is it optional at your childs school? I'd say I'd get a note home if I sent the children in without the full crested uniform. It's terrible really. So many families are on the bread line and having to pay extortionate money for crested clothing, and thats before you even touch their book lists. I'm in shock with the cost of the books this year too. I received the BTSA allowance, and while I understand it's only designed to help out, it's a far cry from the final bill and I'm struggling to meet it. I don't have any expendable income, so it will be a tough few weeks ahead to make everything on the list. I didn't mean for it to turn into such a rant :eek: I'm just angry at the demands of my childrens school to have crested clothes, and as some body else said here, it's triple the cost of uncrested clothes. It's putting families under unneeded strain. The excess cost of these tracksuits should be going towards the books, footwear, new coats etc. Rant overWe have crested tracksuit (bottoms, jumper and t-shirt). And crested pinafore. It's madness.
I don't buy anything crested. It quadruples the price.
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Just want to confirm that there is no racket. No golf trips, free pens, vouchers or the likes from publishers. I try not to change the boos where possible but it is a nightmare to have 2 or sometimes 3 versions of the same book in one class. The fault lies firmly with the publishers.
Good to hear that there is no scamming involved. But it is up to the schools to manage the publishers. The schools hold the power in that relationship, as they make the decision about which publisher's books are chosen. The schools should be treating this as a procurement exercise. They have to get the best value for parents. They should only choose particular books if they meet their requirements - and one of the requirements could be that the same version continues to be available for 3 years or 5 years or whatever.They are an accepted standard and none of the Android tablets can compete with them yet,unfortunately
Accepted by who?
And what about typing speed - don't students need a real keyboard (e.g. laptop or netbook) if they are going to be doing any serious typing.It's the way forward...0 -
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SerialComplaint wrote: »Just want to confirm that there is no racket. No golf trips, free pens, vouchers or the likes from publishers. I try not to change the boos where possible but it is a nightmare to have 2 or sometimes 3 versions of the same book in one class. The fault lies firmly with the publishers.
Good to hear that there is no scamming involved. But it is up to the schools to manage the publishers. The schools hold the power in that relationship, as they make the decision about which publisher's books are chosen. The schools should be treating this as a procurement exercise. They have to get the best value for parents. They should only choose particular books if they meet their requirements - and one of the requirements could be that the same version continues to be available for 3 years or 5 years or whatever.They are an accepted standard and none of the Android tablets can compete with them yet,unfortunately
Accepted by who?
And what about typing speed - don't students need a real keyboard (e.g. laptop or netbook) if they are going to be doing any serious typing.It's the way forward...
Oh they won't be using the iPad for typing and will have it lessons, I bought my daughter a laptop last xmas in expectation of doing homework/ assignments on it.
The school opted for the iPad instead of a laptop.
What I meant was technology was the way forward. All kids will have access to school computers during an alloted time and at lunch. The iPad will be for research and ebooks only no typing..0 -
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That is an incredibly mature postCookieMonster.x wrote: »When I started first year (5 years ago), my uniform costs were around €300 if not more. Despite us having a good few of my books already and getting the rest second hand, the bill was quite large (had to do all subjects). Then we had to pay for art supplies, home ec sewing kits, aprons, specific hair bands. On top of that we had a 'voluntary' subscription which is €100. Luckily I'm going into 6th year so I don't have another book list but exam papers and more copies add up to quite an amount with the subscription. Also we have to have the latest books. I have the older edition of one of my books but I just say I'm not buying another one. They can hound me all they want, I'm not buying a brand new book that we never use!
These back to school costs are actually a disgrace. In primary school we had a generic uniform with a rental scheme which came to around €60 for sixth class books. I mean to pay around €60 for a jumper that is of the worst quality and that frays in the first month is just awful. Our shirts can only be bought in 2 local shops and they cost about €25 each and that is apparently cheaper than it was before. Luckily my parents have good jobs but with 3 to support in college and 1 for next year they are finding it hard. I pay for cinema trips, stationery, folders, events myself to help but I really don't know how some parents do it.
Well done to you for buying what you can yourself, I'm sure your parents are glad of it. They should be very proud of you My children are still in primary, so I must admit your secondary school bills scare the life out of me :eek: I'm going to have to do a lot of saving I think! 0 -
My school is a voluntary school (or something along the lines of it) which is why our subscription is so high. I think it's less in other schools. As well as that our uniform is not black/navy so we have special socks, shoes, tights etc. There are good second hand book stores about the place and a lot of the time the books are as new.
That is an incredibly mature postCookieMonster.x wrote: »When I started first year (5 years ago), my uniform costs were around €300 if not more. Despite us having a good few of my books already and getting the rest second hand, the bill was quite large (had to do all subjects). Then we had to pay for art supplies, home ec sewing kits, aprons, specific hair bands. On top of that we had a 'voluntary' subscription which is €100. Luckily I'm going into 6th year so I don't have another book list but exam papers and more copies add up to quite an amount with the subscription. Also we have to have the latest books. I have the older edition of one of my books but I just say I'm not buying another one. They can hound me all they want, I'm not buying a brand new book that we never use!
These back to school costs are actually a disgrace. In primary school we had a generic uniform with a rental scheme which came to around €60 for sixth class books. I mean to pay around €60 for a jumper that is of the worst quality and that frays in the first month is just awful. Our shirts can only be bought in 2 local shops and they cost about €25 each and that is apparently cheaper than it was before. Luckily my parents have good jobs but with 3 to support in college and 1 for next year they are finding it hard. I pay for cinema trips, stationery, folders, events myself to help but I really don't know how some parents do it. Well done to you for buying what you can yourself, I'm sure your parents are glad of it. They should be very proud of you My children are still in primary, so I must admit your secondary school bills scare the life out of me :eek: I'm going to have to do a lot of saving I think!0 -
I can say without a doubt if I was your age my mother would have traded me for you in a heart beatCookieMonster.x wrote: »My school is a voluntary school (or something along the lines of it) which is why our subscription is so high. I think it's less in other schools. As well as that our uniform is not black/navy so we have special socks, shoes, tights etc. There are good second hand book stores about the place and a lot of the time the books are as new.
I threw a hooley if my books weren't bought new, I was a little bitch to be honest. As a parent now myself I'm ashamed of how I carried on, I had no desire to understand the financial pressure my parents were under. Now, while all of my childrens books have been bought new, I think I left it too late to get second hand stuff and hung around for my BTSA payment. Savvier parents were buying as soon as they got their book lists, we live and learn etc. I was working at your age too, and while I gave my mother some weekly rent I didn't offer anything towards school costs. Fair enough, it was only summer and mid term breaks I was working, but I kept the majority for myself. I wish they said something to me, it would have taught me the value of money. I was a spoiled brat 
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Thanks :P also most students have second hand books and worn uniforms so don't worry about them standing out! Very few get all new books and a new uniform every year. And for first years - it usually gets yorn within the first few months so don't worry if it's a second hand uniform.
I can say without a doubt if I was your age my mother would have traded me for you in a heart beatCookieMonster.x wrote: »My school is a voluntary school (or something along the lines of it) which is why our subscription is so high. I think it's less in other schools. As well as that our uniform is not black/navy so we have special socks, shoes, tights etc. There are good second hand book stores about the place and a lot of the time the books are as new. I threw a hooley if my books weren't bought new, I was a little bitch to be honest. As a parent now myself I'm ashamed of how I carried on, I had no desire to understand the financial pressure my parents were under. Now, while all of my childrens books have been bought new, I think I left it too late to get second hand stuff and hung around for my BTSA payment. Savvier parents were buying as soon as they got their book lists, we live and learn etc. I was working at your age too, and while I gave my mother some weekly rent I didn't offer anything towards school costs. Fair enough, it was only summer and mid term breaks I was working, but I kept the majority for myself. I wish they said something to me, it would have taught me the value of money. I was a spoiled brat 0
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