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Compulsory School Camps

Lori-SBB View Member Profile	26/02/2013, 08:15 PM Post #1
Posts: 25 Joined: 22-April 10
New Member
We moved our son to a new school at the beginning of this year and found out at the beginning of the month that there is a camp planned for next week. We had no way of paying the fees for it on such short notice so we decided not to send him. The other day he came home saying that one of the teachers has told him that it is a compulsory camp and he's required to go. Are schools allowed to have compulsory camps? I don't recall signing anything when we enrolled him saying he must participate in these sorts of activities... Anyone else come across this issue with their kids schools?

i-candi View Member Profile	26/02/2013, 08:18 PM Post #2
Posts: 4,773 Joined: 15-February 09
Advanced Member
Not compulsory but the school will pay for all or most if you can't pay. If you know that you will be ok after the move you can pay it back later.

cinnabubble View Member Profile	26/02/2013, 08:19 PM Post #3
Posts: 11,485 Joined: 24-April 06
I like cats, but I couldn't eat a whole one.
I'd contact the school and ask them.

MicM View Member Profile	26/02/2013, 08:22 PM Post #4
Posts: 398 Joined: 29-December 04
Member
Have you discussed it with the school? Most schools have discretionary funds set aside for people who genuinely can't afford things like this.

Lori-SBB View Member Profile	26/02/2013, 08:23 PM Post #5
Posts: 25 Joined: 22-April 10
New Member
I contacted the school, the principal called me back and said DS is required to go and the school will pay if I pay them back but it is a compulsory trip... This just seems strange to me... It's nice that they offered to pay and all but it's a new school I don't really feel comfortable sending him off with strangers that's why I didn't look into alternate payment methods in the first place...

cinnabubble View Member Profile	26/02/2013, 08:24 PM Post #6
Posts: 11,485 Joined: 24-April 06
I like cats, but I couldn't eat a whole one.
I wouldn't be happy with that.

JRA View Member Profile	26/02/2013, 08:26 PM Post #7
Posts: 41,632 Joined: 18-September 02 From: Victoria
Breast Cancer Survivor
What grade is your son in and is it a state school?

i-candi View Member Profile	26/02/2013, 08:27 PM Post #8
Posts: 4,773 Joined: 15-February 09
Advanced Member
It's actually great that he goes now, it's a great way to get him to know his fellow students. That's why all schools send their first year of high school kids on camps in the first week. They all get to know each other - except my son who couldn't even tell me the names of the kids he shared a cabin with

fairymagic View Member Profile	26/02/2013, 08:27 PM Post #9
Posts: 2,980 Joined: 4-July 03 From: South Australia
Advanced Member
Whilst I understand your concerns, how old is your DS? Perhaps look at it as a great opportunity to get to make some new friends while he is away. He will probably have a ball and if the school is prepared to pay and you pay them back when you can, I would let him go. My nieces go to a public primary school (you didn't mention whether this was a public/private school) and every year the whole school goes on a compulsory camp. It is for two nights, usually somewhere fairly local and if they don't go, they need to first have a good reason and second, stay home as there is no provision for them to be at school since all the teachers attend camp. Good luck. Im sure he will have fun.

Lori-SBB View Member Profile	26/02/2013, 08:31 PM Post #10
Posts: 25 Joined: 22-April 10
New Member
He's in grade 6 and it's a private school... We moved him because he was getting picked on at the state school, we've had no issues with that since the move and he's been really happy, but I'm still worried...

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