Anyone had a school actively block opportunities for their teen? I have attempted to put my teen in Programs which assist with white cards, apprenticeship and applied for exit and then at another time exemption from enrolment as required and been blocked each time as he is not 17 yet. Finished Year 10. Both Programs have wanted to sign him up and help him.
It seems the public system will help and offers these opportunities to their students as I contacted two and they were shocked but could not help. The private school is refusing to let him participate and the shocker is that their own careers advisor sent me information on the programs.
My son now resents the school and is completely refusing to go and I am frustrated and running out of options. The school just threatens re attendance and yet is blocking him from attending elsewhere. He had a career path mapped out and this school slammed the door shut.
I am frustrated that I as a parent do not have the final say. When did we lose all our rights! We are now held to ransom by these schools. Criticised and threatened if our kids do not attend and at the same time they are not helping with any answers. I should be able to exit my child to put him in an approved Govt program. That should be my right! Sorry but I'm angry that a system that is supposed to protect vulnerable children is also being used to threaten and prevent parents from helping them! I have rang so many people but it is all wrapped up in red tape.
He will not go back. I am desperately trying to find him 25 hours but worried the school will try to block this too as it is not classed as 'full time' work. They are nit picking at wording in the legislation. It was mentioned I will probably face the same battle with TAFE as they require complete exit for enrolment but the school said they will not exit him without proof of enrolment. So it just bounces back and forth 🥺
Where do I go to from here??
5 Replies
Easy, just move from private to public school.
My son goes to public school and they highly encourage kids in year 11 to do these programs if they aren't going to uni/need an ATAR.
It's a no brainer.
I tried, the public school met with me but advised they could not help as he is not planning on actually attend but going forward with an exemption from enrolment and program. We are stuck in limbo. At the same time they said they approve these programs all the time for their teens.
I don't understand, what state are you in? In QLD at the public school they do some school and some tafe/work experience in year 11 if they are going down that path, it even counts towards getting their QCE. In VIC, my nephew is in year 11, doing some school/some tafe/some work experience. I don't understand why you don't fully enroll him in the public school, he will attend a couple of days a week and be out a couple of days a week. The aim is to keep these kids in school as long as possible but allow them to get a head start on trades. You have to do these courses in conjunction with the school, not take him completely out and enroll him yourself.
NSW and the school has just left him and not bothered. I am not able to pull him out and put him in public as we only have one school here that does Yr 11/12 for public and they have told me it is too late in the year. They also regularly sign kids up to these programs and they do work alongside some exemption from enrolment. The public school cannot understand how or why the private school is blocking him. I'm done with them though. I had to chase up information from the careers adviser because my son had not had any contact. Small year 11 and I feel like they do not have any excuse for this sh!t
I can only assume that the fact you are trying to have him unenrolled is their reasoning behind not wanting to provide the additional support (white card, work experience ect). These programs are offered to students meeting the education departments eligibility criteria. School attendance, behaviour ect.
I feel the only option for you is to fund the white card out of your own pocket, he can then claim it back at tax time. This would enable him to pick up work, thus allowing him to then leave school. Or, enrol him in a tafe course next term, then take him out of school.