zeban

Thanks all, very much appreciated :))

Thanks Rosie

He's American living in Tokyo at the moment - we're doing swapsies, I'm sending him good Earl Grey tea, he's sending me good Green tea. We've both given up coffee recently so trying to keep eachother going. He said specifically, none of that Twinings stuff, he wants the 'real deal' whatever that means!

Hmmm maybe he's just being a snob then! Or I think maybe it was loose teaf he was looking for.

Right, I've promised my friend in Japan I'd send them some Earl Grey tea- good quality, proper stuff, not Twinings I've been advised! The problem is I hate Earl Grey so I have no idea what to get and from where. Does anyone have any recommendations?

The menu online doesn't look very inspiring (IMO)

I was asking you because I wanted your opinion. There must be more differences than that surely?

pgnjohnson- what's the difference between a free school and an Academy? I thought Academies were developed because of the increase in population?

Yes I did wonder about this so called 'new money' - considering we're supposed to not have any money! Also wondering why German? I'd choose Spanish- it's spoken in quite a few different countries. Or French for the same reason.

Thank you for the reply Peter

I really don't understand Free Schools. Whilst I like the idea of putting more emphasis on languages, if there are more schools then how will there be enough public money to go around? Wouldn't it be wiser to work harder to make languages more important in the Nation curriculum? Aren't free schools just private schools paid for by public money? I'm also not sure I feel comfortable with a school run by a few parents with their own ideas about what an education should be like.

YES littleEDfamily I completely agree with that quote, and knowing that makes me feel very content. I think it's also good to accept and embrace the changes in circumstances and identity that come with life changes because I'm guessing children does change you as a person and I love the idea of constantly changing and evolving throughout my life because you're constantly learning new things about yourself. But maybe I feel that way because I don't identify myself/ my identity through my job which I think alot of people do in this country, and particularly in London. It's pretty much the second question you're asked when you meet someone- 'so what do you do?'. In other countries people don't do this, and many even see as rude- one of my friends lives in Israel and says it's rude there to ask such a question. Feminists gave us choices and for that I am eternally grateful. So being just a Mum really shouldn't be seen or felt as something that doesn't give women self esteem. I also have a feeling there might be more men than we might think who would like to be stay at home Dads... p.s. I LOVE old women too! I learn so much from them.

I'm loving tonights episode. I'm definitely loving this idea now. Though I can't decide if that's because I fancy Arthur! Get an Arthur down to East Dulwich and I'm definitely joining!

Aw Ruth I'm so sorry to hear that, I can completely understand why you would feel sad now. That must be tough.

May I ask why it wouldn't be the reality for you Ruth? Sorry if you've already been over this before in another thread

Beagle, I agree with every single word of your post. And Keef, I although I would say it propbably depends on the woman, I do really agree with you.

Thank you Puzzled for proving me right! Definitely check out that thread above

I think Southwark Council is definitely value for money. Very happy with them.

womanofdulwich Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > surely it is only the presumption between the > couple? > i think you have to lay it on the line for men- > explain what you are prepared to do and what they > need to do. If they are not going to help- and as > most women prefer to deal with the minutae- then > women should buy in what they need in terms of > extra care. we cannot physically do all of it > ourselves. We are not superwomen. Exactly womanofdulwich. I wouldn't blame men at all. You have to be prepared to sit down and work it out together. Men aren't mind readers. And if you need extra help get it in. We're not superwomen and we shouldn't be trying to be.

'When will business people be allowed to get fair play?' When they go through the correct procedures!

bibaradcliffe that's what we're talking about! we're also comparing it to the original incident this thread was started around

Oh yes I love An American Tail!

Amalfi is absolutely stunning. I much preferred it to Capri, although this was a while back.

It continued because other Goodrich parents wanted to have their say on the positives of the school. It seems like you're presuming if a parent isn't 'concerned' then they somehow don't care. Maybe the 'concerned' parents should get a life and let the schools do their job. If you want to raise money for a school fine but do it out of goodwill not because you want greater power or say in how the school is run. It's simply not your job. And if not everyone is 'concerned' that means that maybe you're overstating the supposed problems. By the way, what are your problems exactly?

No offence Emily but I'm sure the school already has considerable expertise and were maybe fed up with being undermined by parents who think they know it all. I can imagine parents like that making a big impact on staff moral who spend every day teaching a lot of children. Just an outsiders point of view.