tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post5987113653929287379..comments2024-03-28T19:20:52.408+00:00Comments on WEMBLEY MATTERS: Katharine Birbalsingh and the tale of the black and white shoe lacesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-84922832077345884032014-09-12T15:09:20.270+01:002014-09-12T15:09:20.270+01:00Birbalsingh's writing cited above is of a poor...Birbalsingh's writing cited above is of a poor standard. If the quote is genuine, questions should be asked as to why this person is accepted as an educator? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-28005986757807555062014-03-14T11:25:23.503+00:002014-03-14T11:25:23.503+00:00I hope that there's a coherent policy on '...I hope that there's a coherent policy on 'slip-ons' as I would hate to see any disadvantage resulting from 'lace-based foot attachment provision' policy. When can we expect to see a 'footwear' spectrum made available with projected learning potentials indicated? <br /><br />Excuse me while I pinch myself - Oh dear, it is reality after all ! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-13126674748753520132014-03-11T21:38:41.367+00:002014-03-11T21:38:41.367+00:00Hard hat's a nice idea but it would have to be...Hard hat's a nice idea but it would have to be boater-shaped with a red and yellow grosgrain ribbon round it. Hi-vis blazers too? Just as long as the black shoe laces don't get too dusty. Private school values must be maintained! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-37431819495176855902014-03-11T20:53:56.572+00:002014-03-11T20:53:56.572+00:00I have heard of a couple of cases where Michaela w...I have heard of a couple of cases where Michaela was not listed and this was probably due to parents only expressing a preference for one or two schools, leaving the rest blank. Parents can turn down the offer of a place. Other parents who listed Michaela down the preference list may have been offered other schools higher up their list. Remember around 7% did not get any of their preferences.Martin Francishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02194641151012303116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-59026522875725429402014-03-11T20:40:56.892+00:002014-03-11T20:40:56.892+00:00I am concerned to read that some children have bee...I am concerned to read that some children have been allocated places at Michaela Community School when it was not one of their six preferences. Is this really true? If so, it is unfair and should be challenged.<br /><br />If I were a parent in that position, who clearly did not feel that Ms Birbalsingh's strict regime and long hours were suitable for my child, I would wish to object, and demand that my son or daughter be given a place at an alternative school within the six preferences listed. My argument would include the question: 'Are you really telling me that this school, which makes such big claims for itself, cannot fill its 120 Year 7 places from people even listing it as low as sixth preference?' , and follow this with the statement: 'If that is the case, it should only be allowed to have those pupils who have expressed any preference for it, and my child is not one of them'.<br /><br />I note from the MCS website that although it claims that facilities for the Year 7 pupils will be ready by September 2014, the refurbishment work on the building is not predicted to finish until "early 2015" (and when does any major building contract ever finish on time?). Given the very limited size of the Arena House site, this means that even if the lower floors of part of the building are ready to receive students at the start of the school year, they will be crossing a building site to get to school and will not have any outside space to use for recreation. As some of the unfinished work in September will be to the upper floors of the building, I would suggest that the school uniform for this year's intake should include a "hard hat".<br />Philip. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-17462968984071026862014-03-11T19:43:02.367+00:002014-03-11T19:43:02.367+00:00Ms Birbalsingh sets out her ‘vision’ for disciplin...Ms Birbalsingh sets out her ‘vision’ for discipline on the school’s very entertaining website. Inspired by her words I was moved to post the following comment:<br />‘This is the vision we traditional Brit parents have been longing to hear for so long Katherine. Age old values with a modern twist. Back to basics. Hard work, tough love and no funny business. As Rhodes Boyson once said, “The way forward can sometimes be backward” ‘.<br />As the post was accepted at face value and can still be viewed on the site, I can only assume that a recognition of irony is not considered one of the ‘values of a private school education’ which Ms Birbalsingh graciously promises to grant Brent children access to. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com