We have the opportunity to go this year. But I have a dilema.

[jacs1234]

We would so love to go and the only thing stopping us is that my oldest son is in Grade 8 and the time we can go is during his exam times. If we could get the cheap flights and leave after the 6th December then we will be fine because thats his final week of exams, but if we can't get the cheaper prices, we can only afford to go if it's before that. I've emailed his teacher and haven't heard back from her. He is NOT a straight A student and struggles at school. He gets all C's. If he was a straight A student I wouldn't worry. What do I do? I don't want us all to miss out on a disney holiday because of grade 8 exams. It's not like it's grade 11 or 12. KWIM?

 

[sleepymama]

As much as I love Disney World I probably would not take my son out of school given those circumstances. Other opportunities will come up to go. Just my opinion though.

 

[MEK]

Could your son arrange to take his finals early? I know this would be difficult for him if he is an average student, but if you, he, and the teacher agree to this and plan for it, it might be doable. You'll have a little stress before you leave, but I agree that this is probably the last year you will be able to do it. Once they hit 9th grade things get infinitely more difficult.

Good luck.

 

[jacs1234]

I'm hanging out to hear back from his teacher and see what she says.

 

[jacs1234]

I feel so helpless that I can't do anything, not even dream about it, until the teacher gets back to me and I've been to the flight expo thingy.

 

[WAMUMOF4]

Hopefully the teacher will get back to you and let him do the exams early I don't think I would be not going for year 8 exams good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[jacs1234]

I got a phone call from the vice principal. She said that we should go whenever we need to go and they will work around it. That was so nice of her. She said they'll make sure he gets his assignments early and that there isn't many exams for the year 8's and that they can average out his scores if need be. That was so nice of her. I still feel a little anxious about it. I have just emailed my Grade 6, 3 and 2 teachers to ask their opinions. We can get flights for the 6 of us for $5500 through air new zealand if we leave mid November.

 

[5ofus]

I got a phone call from the vice principal. She said that we should go whenever we need to go and they will work around it. That was so nice of her. She said they'll make sure he gets his assignments early and that there isn't many exams for the year 8's and that they can average out his scores if need be. That was so nice of her. I still feel a little anxious about it. I have just emailed my Grade 6, 3 and 2 teachers to ask their opinions. We can get flights for the 6 of us for $5500 through air new zealand if we leave mid November.

That's a fabulous price for a family of six, I can see why you are in a dilemma!

 

[miss.potatohead]

I'd do it. Your son is Year 8 - although the exams are important, they 'don't count' towards anything besides his end of year report and to know how well he's done throughout the year. Most schools are fine with rearranging exams for students in these circumstances. As you said, it's not like it's VCE/HSC where they count for a final grade/ATAR, and it will probably become more difficult in the next few years when he gets into the higher year levels to go on a holiday as a family without missing any school commitments

 

[WAMUMOF4]

I got a phone call from the vice principal. She said that we should go whenever we need to go and they will work around it. That was so nice of her. She said they'll make sure he gets his assignments early and that there isn't many exams for the year 8's and that they can average out his scores if need be. That was so nice of her. I still feel a little anxious about it. I have just emailed my Grade 6, 3 and 2 teachers to ask their opinions. We can get flights for the 6 of us for $5500 through air new zealand if we leave mid November.

That's great that they have called you to let you know
Great price is that the expo price or elsewhere I am seriously considering booking either from Melb or Sydney with those kids prices and adding the Perth airfares later.

 

[AussieCaribou]

Jacs1234, we have had a very similar struggle (year 7) a few years back. I'm taking my DD again during the spring break this year (with the last day of term 3 and the first week of term 4 - year 9 - being missed). When DD was in year 2 she missed a month to travel to Disney (um I mean the US) and year 5 was two weeks less at the end of the year for a Europe visit (around DLP).

All and all, the travel is a better educator than a few weeks of school (especially at the end of the year....teachers have to have grades in early so often all assessment is finished a few weeks before the end of the year. And I've found that teachers are great supports if you let them know early). :0)

Ask for the assignments early, tell your kids that they will have to get them done early...sit with them to get them done if it is needed. Lord knows how many late night dining room hours I have spent overseeing homework...all so we can go to Disney...um I mean overseas....;0)

Have a great time and WOW what lucky kids!!! Disney in Nov/Dec is super special!

 

[heidispidi]

Oh yay for the vice-principal, Jacs1234! I hope you also get a positive response from your childrens' other teachers, as those fares are too good to pass up.

 

[LisaAJ]

Wow, your vice principal is very understanding!! I can tell you what my Principal would say only it might offend!!

The pp is right though, teachers have to have their marks/reports in so early that it seems silly to have their exams that late in the year? My reports have to be dine by week 5 or 6 of term 4 usually.

I say go for it!!