dulwichmum

TOP TIP The Daily Hate Mail is a comic, it does not contain news.

And I look down on EVERYONE!

OK, so I used an E instead of a U, I never said I was bright, just wealthy. And while we are on the subject, on either this thread, or the one in the drawing room, someone said something about clever people being rich. I know some incredibly rich, outstandingly thick people... I imagine we all do. Has anyone considered the educational achievements of our Royal Family? OHMYGOD! Prince Charles has a D in home economics... Some incredibly bright people become terminally ill and leave their young family with no bread winner, some incredibly bright people go bankrupt for taking a chance with a business, some incredibly bright people become jobless, pregnant as teenagers. I myself am not terribly clever but I am simply loaded (smirk)!

Darling Mr Huguenot Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- "What does a school with higher aspirations do that one with lower aspirations doesn't?" *Puts on glasses and looks serious* A school with lower aspirations does not know how to advise/prime/prepare a student that may have an interest in law, architecture, dentistry, medicine or particular educational establishments such as Oxbridge. A school with higher aspirations will encourage students who show aptitude or interest in a certain subject area to acquire particular voluntary, work or placement experience, early on, to support applications to university later. It may have a network of past alumni willing to provide this experience for its students. A school with higher aspirations will virtually write the required supporting statement on a student's UCAS form, and prepare the student with mock interviews. Schools with lower aspirations do not sit a child down and ask them to consider their path, instead allowing them to persue mismatched subjects that will not assist them when it comes to applying for a particular course of study at University - rather, it may encourage students to study subjects that are easier and are likely to deliver higher grades to help the school on their place on a league table. The education provided by schools with higher aspirations, considers the needs/aspirations/aptitudes of the student. There are most certainly schools all over this country that have lower aspirations (glares). *Flops on desk and whispers* "is it too early to open the gin?"

Great point SteveT. With regard to boys being better than girls at exams, if this is a scientifically proven fact, well then there will, no doubt, be some form of super swishy mathematical equation that could be applied during moderation of the said exam papers in order to achieve fairness between the sexes. In the same way that these special swishy mathematical equations are applied (I should imagine) in order to eliminate the marking differences between "dove" and "hawk" examiners at University level...(bats eyelashes) I shall go and lie down for a while as all of this talking about serious things is bringing on one of my heads... Perhaps I shall pop over to Fenwick for a quick spot of self-gifting, that always makes me feel better!

Huguenot Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > DM, you know that boys are much better than girls > at exams? I didn't know you were so down on the > fairer sex? If course work is actually carried out by a darling child working diligently towards the A level/GCSE or whatever, then I would applaud the argument for continuously assessed course work. However, if a candidate's science project is actually carried out by a father who is a consultant haemotologist and a mother who is a pharmacist (OHMYGOD), then I have a tiny issue(ette) with the final marks (gasp). I suppose that no system is above abuse (sigh), but the current system seems to be heavily stacked in favour of children with pushy professional parents (checks out glossy manicure). This of course is simply my humble opinion, and it is well known that I am an air head. *Flounces off to check out Net-a-Porter*

I don't know why you would suggest such a thing dear Brendan. This could make a perfectly good opportunity for someone (bats eyelashes)...

Dear Townleygreen, That is my point exactly - you cannot use purchased essays in an exam. Bring back exams (and not exams using multiple choice, computer marked questions) inspire students to learn with a broad curriculum, and do not simply teach to the exam. With regard to Universities checking for plagiarism, things are tightening up. This year, many more institutions are using tools such as Turnitin for the very first time. Some universities check for plagiarism, some don't...

You see, I am not convinced that "better prepared" does not equate to "primed", and if the parental involvement that I observe in primary school with regard to "course work" is concerned, how can anyone be sure that the students have actually carried out the work themselves? Entire essays and dissertations can be purchased online.

I have no doubt that the A levels are difficult to pass, but it is incredibly odd that so many students are doing so incredibly well. If it were not the case that the value of these A grades and A* grades are being dumbed down, well why are the universities now using the additional UKCAT and BMAT aptitude/intelligence tests to assess which students to accept and not simply using A-level results?

antijen Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > So why did George Best become top priority. I think that this is a really interesting point. I have no doubt that George Best's tissue type, alcohol dependance etc were issues determining his suitability for transplant. But just because George Best opted for private healthcare, should that disclude him from his rights to NHS care or place on the waiting list for organ donation? He was a tax payer in this country. If he decided to pay for private healthcare, surely he would remain as eligable as any other citizen of this country for donor organs.

Azul is clearly a man of taste and refinement! You have already engaged the services of a housekeeper and a cleaner? Be warned of the affects of wedding cake on the female libido...

That was just terrific. You made my day. Aren't our children just the best thing since sliced bread?

Lets not go there. I believe that it is only slightly better than Wales (OHMYGOD).

Clearly!

I am in my late thirties, and I look fabulous!

Hi Yenkcah, I understand that the catchment map for these two schools cuts off at Village Way/Half Moon Lane. It could have changed, and obviously if you go to St Barnabus, they take that into account. I have friends who live well within the catchment area, who did not get their daughter in a couple of years ago. If you get your child into The Village Infants, apparently it does not necessarily follow that you will be granted a place at The Hamlet - that is very difficult. St Anthony's is a very traffic laden journey from Elfindale, but I know of children who have made journeys of a similar distance.

I have to say, My six year old daughter has just given up her Trip Trapp. As she grew, and still liked to have a little extra height at the table - the straps and the bar were removed. It is safe as anything, infinitely adjustable and I think it looks terrific. Even now, and I had 2 Trip Trapps at our dining table at one point, it looks like a nice piece of furniture and is as good as new. There are no difficult to reach areas for cleaning and it is built to last.

Huguenot, I don't agree that everyone is talking and no-one is listening on Twitter. How could you explain that Mulberry are repairing my bag? My point is, that out there, you don't know who is listening. This morning, when I went onto Twitter, I was alerted to the fact that there was an interesting article in The Independent, and as I read The Times and The Telegraph (clearly) - I could have missed it. I love the forum, but sometimes I pop in here for a chat - at any random time, and there is no-one around, or no thread that I want to engage with. I use Twitter the same way. If I am commuting with a few minutes to kill, I look for something to engage with, I do not like to carry newspapers about - the print destroys my fabulous clothes. The thing that I like about Twitter is that if there is a conversation in progress that is funny and lots of people are enjoying, and one person engaging with it is consistantly rude or base or louder than everyone else,it is possible to zone out from that one loud voice, so that I don't have to see their posts at all. I can "unfollow" that voice and continue to enjoy the conversation. Everyone has a set number of characters that they can use, so that no voice takes over. The posts are short and snappy and I like it. I am always disappointed to see that people who do not actually use some applications are the ones to shoot them down. I adored my Blackberry and would not hear of the iPhone being any better - my husband has one. The new iPhone is so terrific it is scarey, I was forced to use it when I got stuck on holiday, now I am converted. Increasingly I am coming to the conclusion that most things have their merits. To say that everyone is talking and no-one is listening on Twitter, oh dear, have you tried it? Have you registered on it and engaged with a group of people who you like to chat with? It is just like texting. What's not to love? Perhaps dear Huguenot, you did register on it, but no-one was listening to you.

How come it annoys you Keef sweetie? And if it is not something you use, how can it be an irritation?

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, meanwhile, I await the courier who is coming to collect my damaged Mulberry handbag - it is being taken away and returned to me as new...

You could try this, but I am hearing great things about this, and this for easy camping avec les enfants. Camping is not for everyone (me in particular), but my poppets are really keen, and I do not want to deny them anything. They are young for such a short time...

I find Twitter great fun. It is a bit disappionting that people are so dismissive of it, I remember when I first heard of Facebook, it was a link someone posted on the forum, and I seem to remember that people couldn't see the point of it then. Two days ago my favourite leather handbag was savaged by my darling cockapoo and I sulked and had a tantrum about it on Twitter. Mulberry have contacted me via Twitter and offered to repair it for me.

Oh for Gods sake BBW, here we go again!

"Comfortable" shoes are not for everyone, and "Fit flops" make me very uncomfortable indeed, they are about as attractive as Y fronts. They are not a work out. That is a gimmick. If you want to get fit - take exercise. If you want to tone up lazily, buy a Slendertone belt! I used a power plate to tone up and lose weight, but I found it difficult to keep all of my wine in my glass with all of the vibration... I can have a nice glass of vino while wearing my Slendertone belt - the ideal solution for me (hic). Exercise is so undignified, all of those obese, wet people in the gym or pounding the pavement in their obscene lycra shorts past my house. It's not for everyone...