hilili

How do you know they are living beyond their means ? this isn't about one particular person - my point was if you are having trouble paying bills of any kind right now - generally you can speak to the company and sort it out - most people are willing to come to an arrangement, I work with companies every day that have to do this . Unless fees haven't been paid for a good few months I feel it's harsh on the parents who have supported the school for years .

Thanks Damian H - she has done all of this - but they have new personnel who have changed the goal posts !

I chose private education because I wanted a school that was offered a wide range of sports - I don't have much money - I work two jobs so that I can pay for it and don't go on expensive holidays which is fine because my child is happy, settled and playing a lot of sport !!! however if I lost one of my jobs, I would expect the school to be patient, reasonable and understand that I needed time to sort out the finances (especially when I have invested a lot of time and money into it already ). Pretence doesn't come into it.

I had supper with a couple of friends last week and Jags came up in conversation - parents have been receiving letters in the last week of term (a little late in the day I feel) to say any arrears for school fees must be paid in full before September or their children cannot go back to school in September, one of the parents has missed only a few monthly payments in six years at the school and had already set up a payment plan for the arrears AND has just received the same letter - I think this is a little harsh . Can anyone suggest ways in which to deal with this as I'm sure people affected by this are EDF users.

Thanks for the comments - it's great to hear success stories.

Last week I was with a friend who was overseeing foreign students accomodation with host families - she got a phonecall to say that two 14yr old girls were really unhappy. They were going to have to stay with their families until the next day, having a 12 yr old I fealt that I couldn't leave these unhappy kids so I offered to look after them and picked them up. To say the host family was not very welcoming is an understatement- the mother was already in bed and the girls were in a makeshift dark room- I found it quite depressing. The outcome was that my child and I had a fantastic week with the loveliest kids and we were all sad to say goodbye. So my gripe is - the company that organises these trips have done a dreadful job in checking out families (also they only had the word of my friend that I was ok ) and I fealt sad that this was the kids introduction to Britain - shameful!! Has anyone else experienced foreign students ? I'd love to know of other experiences.

drives me mad !!!

drives me mad !!!

A clean house :)

I've never witnessed anything like this but I don't think I could keep quiet- I think my instinct would be to belittle the bully as she tried to belittle her child - nasty woman - there is no need to treat another human that way. Makes me mad!!

My son who is also 12 had an accident very close by on the same road - his accident was in January and he has a broken leg, we are spending a lot of time in Kings as it was a nasty accident. I cannot imagine what this little girls family is going through and send heartfelt condolences. My sons accident was his own fault as he crossed a busy road and the cab driver that hit him was in shock and will live with this fear for a very long time. However, cars do come up that hill so fast - is it time for more speed cameras or speed bumps? No words to describe this feeling.

My deepest sympathy to family and friends of this little girl

I have heard it was a serious accident involving a child - hope hope hope everyone's ok

My friends daughter is experiencing tough times at Jags - wondered if any other families have had similar experiences - the school seem to want to brush the issue under the carpet feedback would be appreciated -

-- moved topic --

I went to Bessemer on a viewing with my friend and thought it was fabulous - having spent a few years finding the right school for my child this was by far the best i've seen.

I'm finding it increasingly annoying that people I would have considered good friends want to "chat" via text. If life is too busy to prevent us from having eye contact , then should we at least hear the sound of eachothers voices? what do you think?

Ok so I know that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and that we live in a democracy and that all Muslims should not be tainted with the same brush but the young Islam Extremist on the Big Questions this morning really brought out the worst in me and at the risk of sounding intolerant I really wish he did not have a voice! Did anyone watch it ?

Carry me back to Old Morocco - was not was

I've been having a look at joining this programme - I have done something like this in the past and I think it's a good way of re-programming your body - It's based on protein drinks and although you can stick to just liquids - I feel it's important to have a balanced meal in the day - I was wondering if anyone was interested in joining this with me and setting up a walking/exercise group in the park to encourage and help each other - any takers?

Don't know whether to laugh or cry !!!!

My 11 yr old makes his way to school by bus or train happily - but at 5 or even 8, not a hope - having been a resident of Dulwich for a few years now and having the note in the school bag asking parents to be vigilant as an 11 yr old was followed - this happened on two occasions that I know of - and just two weeks ago the same thing happened near East Dulwich. Paedophiles do not hang around the frozen food section of Sainsburys. This is the extreme end of the scale but at the very least an 8 yr old should not be responsible for a 5yr old - children have a basic right to be looked after - no matter how capable they are or how much you can trust them - you cannot always trust other people - careless to say the least

Thanks for the comments - I'll share these with my friend and hope that her issues are resolved soon ... Thanks again

Just had a long chat with a friend who is having problems with The Charter - feel a little concerned as she is such a positive person who has always supported our local state schools - has anyone else had issues with the school? - should state that I don't have a child there and have no personal issue, just appalled with their approach to pastoral care and lack of communication

Songs In The Key of Life - Stevie Wonder - magical!!!