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don't feel as though they're taking me very seriously at this school! I have had no contact except that which I have instigated, I have requested a meeting... which I am expected to organise . Who are these people, I can see how my poor boy must have felt. Of course the longer they ignore me, the more irate I am getting yep that's about the right colour (imagine very red and angry face).

I have written a letter

take a look and see what you think, hopefully I have conveyed my displeasure but not sounded like a rabid dog (although I am leaning more towards the rabid dog feeling at the mo)

Karen W
Parent of K*** *******
*****************
**********

01/04/2009

Dear Mr R********,

I am writing regarding an incident that occurred whilst my son, K*** ******, was on the year 8 school trip to Paris leaving Friday last and returning Monday.

On the outward journey my son discovered that his wallet with all his money (£25 in English money and 60 euro’s) was missing. He reported this loss to the accompanying teachers and as far as I can tell, although they helped him search through his bag and belongings, they conveyed to him that it was his responsibility and “tough”.

I am very disturbed by what I see as the lack of care and consideration for my child. He is a thirteen year old boy, in the care of adults, and his distress seems to not only to have been ignored but forgotten. I was very disappointed that at no point was I notified of my sons’ problem. I was not therefore given the opportunity to come to the aid of my child. I would have liked the chance to arrange for someone to possibly lend him money which I could have taken immediately to the school on Monday for their return. We are not particularly well off and this trip was a chance for my son to go and enjoy an experience we are unlikely to be able to have as a family.

It also came to my attention that when another child’s money went missing it was treated as a different situation altogether and the child’s money was recovered and returned. I would like to point out that although it is likely K*** misplaced his money it is by no means a certainty and he could have had his wallet stolen. As far as I am aware there has been no report of the loss/possible theft to any authorities, this of course means we have no recourse via insurance etc to recoup the money. As I have said we are not particularly well off and do not take the loss of £85 lightly.

To me the reaction of the adults on the trip verges on cruelty, my son was of course fed and watered, but there was a suggested amount of money for the trip and if this was unnecessary why suggest they take money? Of course the answer is, it was necessary to have pocket money and I was not allowed the privilege of deciding whether my son should be helped out or not, I couldn’t even arrange for him to have £20 or so for the day they spent at Disneyland Paris.

Thankfully K*** is not a child that particularly dwells on things and managed to gain enjoyment from the trip, another child however may have had a completely different experience. As it is I feel he did experience some stress and discomfort as he was ill yesterday after they returned with stomach pains.

I am not a parent who constantly takes their child’s side indifferent to what circumstances may be. I am aware that it was his responsibility to a certain extent, and he has been reprimanded for not being careful enough. However at the end of the day this is still a thirteen year old child we are talking about. He was not sent to Paris alone but in the company and care of adults, whom I trusted to look after him should problems arise. I see this as a fairly major problem and I am still astounded that I had no contact, and probably still wouldn’t have but for the fact that I contacted Mr. B****** yesterday.

I would like clarification of what the procedure for these situations is, and reassurance that this quality of care is not typical when the children are away on trips.

Yours sincerely



K**** ******
Cc Mr B******
Cc Miss D*******

I don't like to stir up trouble and if these people had reacted to me sooner I may not even have written a letter.

Ah well best get on and do other things while I wait for the phone not to ring!!!