General News about Frederik, Mary and Family 12: August 2013 - July 2014

[Nordic]

Originally Posted by Muhler

Unless their school has winter holiday here in week five, which I doubt, they must have.
No problem with Isabella though and Christian should still be able to cope without major problems for a couple of years yet. Nowadays they can log on to the school's intranet from where ever they are and do some homework online.

Assuming of course, that the article is 100% accurate...

From what I have read, Her&Nu (and also BB) don't always get their facts correct...A few years ago F&M were, according to H&N, on holiday somewhere in the mediterranian, aboard a luxury yacht borrowed by friends.
It turned out later, that they had actually been in the US with the Heerings.

[Archduchess Zelia]

It's basically commonplace to take children out of school for a week or two if you're going on a holiday. I don't blame the parents, it's much cheaper to travel outside of the school holidays and as long as you don't travel when something super important is being taught (i.e. in the older classes in the period leading up to exams and mid-term tests), I see no problem with it.

Originally Posted by Nordic

Assuming of course, that the article is 100% accurate...

From what I have read, Her&Nu (and also BB) don't always get their facts correct...A few years ago F&M were, according to H&N, on holiday somewhere in the mediterranian, aboard a luxury yacht borrowed by friends.
It turned out later, that they had actually been in the US with the Heerings.

Not to mention the time when they announced Princess Tatiana's pregnancy based on assumptions and a confusing statement from Constantine. They also often get titles wrong. BB is far from always right.

[Muhler]

I've just opened this weeks BB and there is indeed an article about M&F and their family holiday.

However, it can all be boiled down to Lene Balleby confirming that M&F went on a "secret and private holiday at a foreign destination".
It seems however not to be a skiing holiday but a more warm place. Where BB has that particular information I don't know.

Also, Frederik will be at the Olympics in Sochi on Mary's birthday.

[Duke of Marmalade]

Originally Posted by Archduchess Zelia

It's basically commonplace to take children out of school for a week or two if you're going on a holiday. I don't blame the parents, it's much cheaper to travel outside of the school holidays and as long as you don't travel when something super important is being taught (i.e. in the older classes in the period leading up to exams and mid-term tests), I see no problem with it.

Funny how different it is seen in various countries. In Germany the law is very strict about compulsary schooling and you will find police checking on families eg at the airport a few days before the holidays start and parents end up paying huge fines. But of course this doesnt apply to royals I guess.

[Muhler]

The social authorities will also intervene here in DK, but only if there are reports from the school that the learning of the child is affected.
There are no fines and the police is not involved (unless something criminal takes place of course).
So as long as the children are doing okay in school there are no problems, even though some schools and some teachers do indeed frown on children being taken out of school "only" to go on holiday.

- The problem is of course that many parents have problems getting their holidays at the same time as the children, someone has to man the forts, you know.
So long as it doesn't become a habit I'm fairly okay with that myself, at least in the lower grades.
Our son is now attending business school and there is no way in this world he will be allowed to take time off outside school holidays. The shedule is simply too tight for him to afford missing a whole week.

[tundra]

Originally Posted by Muhler

The social authorities will also intervene here in DK, but only if there are reports from the school that the learning of the child is affected.
There are no fines and the police is not involved (unless something criminal takes place of course).
So as long as the children are doing okay in school there are no problems, even though some schools and some teachers do indeed frown on children being taken out of school "only" to go on holiday.

- The problem is of course that many parents have problems getting their holidays at the same time as the children, someone has to man the forts, you know.
So long as it doesn't become a habit I'm fairly okay with that myself, at least in the lower grades.
Our son is now attending business school and there is no way in this world he will be allowed to take time off outside school holidays. The shedule is simply too tight for him to afford missing a whole week.

We don't have that kind of system here in Canada (where the school controls that aspect). Parents have the right to take their kids out of school when they like. It's not prefered as important schooling can be missed. Has it always been that way in DK or D, where the school system controlled school attendance? I'm curious based on this discussion.

[Duke of Marmalade]

Originally Posted by tundra

We don't have that kind of system here in Canada (where the school controls that aspect). Parents have the right to take their kids out of school when they like. It's not prefered as important schooling can be missed. Has it always been that way in DK or D, where the school system controlled school attendance? I'm curious based on this discussion.

I know in Germany there is compulsory schooling for over a century. Regarding vacation, it only got bad in the past two decades, with people travelling more and more, taking the children out of school at their own liking.

In case you get caught or the school will inform the authorities there are hefthy fines, private schools will make use of their right to kick the kid out if they feel it becomes necessary.

Again, you can negotiate a lot, especially if your kid is doing well, but if the school is having none of it the law is on their side.

[tundra]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

I know in Germany there is compulsory schooling for over a century. Regarding vacation, it only got bad in the past two decades, with people travelling more and more, taking the children out of school at their own liking.

In case you get caught or the school will inform the authorities there are hefthy fines, private schools will make use of their right to kick the kid out if they feel it becomes necessary.

Again, you can negotiate a lot, especially if your kid is doing well, but if the school is having none of it the law is on their side.

That's very insteresting. I think if people around here travel that much its more national than international as its a long drive from many places to even leave the country. lol

What would happen if a family decided to home school?

[Duke of Marmalade]

Originally Posted by tundra

That's very insteresting. I think if people around here travel that much its more national than international as its a long drive from many places to even leave the country. lol

What would happen if a family decided to home school?

not allowed, if needs be, there will be law enforcement, there have been cases that the parents went to jail (eg religious communities who refuse to send their children). i am not kidding!

[Muhler]

AFAIK home schooling is perfectly legal in DK, but almost unheard of. I can't recall knowing of someone who was home schooled for the past 30 years or so.
That would require either parents who are extremely qualified as teachers, as they have to teach accoriding to government standards and it would also be recommended against since children need inputs different from what they will get at a home school, where the environment tend to be very static. - And indeed they would be severely disadvantaged later on in an educational system that is very much based on social skills and group work.
Or that the parents employ skilled teachers, which would be insanely expensive!

The normal procedure if a child is not doing well, is for the school to sound the alarm to the parents. If that doesn't work, the authorities may be alerted, because there may be issues at home, which affects the learning.
The authorities may make investigations as to issues at home or with the child, if need be putting pressure on the parents and in extreme circumstances remove the child temporarlily or permanently from the parents.
That has happened when say immigrant parents take their children out for three months or so and travel on an extended holiday to the old country. - For several years.

Children can of course take a leave for a year, for say sailing around the world, that's after all up to the parents to decide. But it is expected that they recieve some basic schooling while away and the price can easily be for the child to leave his/her class and not move up one grade at the beginning of the school year. Nine years of basic schooling is after all mandatory in DK. (0 grade which Bella is attending is not counted, so for the overwhelming majority, basic schooling lasts ten years).

[Winnie]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

Funny how different it is seen in various countries. In Germany the law is very strict about compulsary schooling and you will find police checking on families eg at the airport a few days before the holidays start and parents end up paying huge fines. But of course this doesnt apply to royals I guess.

Every country has different laws, wouldn't matter if you are royal or president's children. I certainly did it and my girls were excellent students. Informed the school staff prior and got approval.

[polyesco]

Agree.

I think Christian and Isabella are still young enough that it wont be too much to take them out for a week or so. It gets harder when the kids are older and they are in testing and what not

[ricarda]

Originally Posted by Muhler

AFAIK home schooling is perfectly legal in DK, but almost unheard of. I can't recall knowing of someone who was home schooled for the past 30 years or so.
That would require either parents who are extremely qualified as teachers, as they have to teach accoriding to government standards and it would also be recommended against since children need inputs different from what they will get at a home school, where the environment tend to be very static. - And indeed they would be severely disadvantaged later on in an educational system that is very much based on social skills and group work.
Or that the parents employ skilled teachers, which would be insanely expensive!

I think Frederik and Joachim were home schooled for the first years and then it was decided they should be regular pupils? How about Margrethe and her sisters?

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by ricarda

I think Frederik and Joachim were home schooled for the first years and then it was decided they should be regular pupils? How about Margrethe and her sisters?

That's correct. Back in the 50's that was unusual and in the 70's most unusual.

[polyesco]

Im glad they dont home school the royal kids anymore and that the majority are going to public schools

[HereditaryPrincess]

I agree. It's a chance for the royal children to have wider circles of friends and experience things they wouldn't experience in an "at home education", such as going on school journeys abroad with their classmates.

Just adding my two cents to the discussion:

In England, taking your child out of school for a holiday is usually frowned upon (there was a recent story of a parent who took his daughter out of school to go to Spain just for leisure during term time and was fined £450), and taking your child out of school in general. Unless they have a valid reason of course, such as illness, or a family event like a wedding or funeral.

[suztav]

Seems as if Frederik & Mary won't be taking their annual February ski vacation with the kids due to his Olympic commitment during that time frame. Perhaps that's why they are taking this vacation with the children??

[Roskilde]

Originally Posted by Muhler

However, it can all be boiled down to Lene Balleby confirming that M&F went on a "secret and private holiday at a foreign destination".
It seems however not to be a skiin holiday but a more warm place. Where BB has that particular information I don't know.

So overall, all we know is that Frederik, Mary and children are on "a private holiday at a foreign destination" which is confirmed by Lene Balleby. And who actually saying we need to know more I hope they enjoy each other and have some good quality time together as a family. Some of the best experiences I have from my own childhood is from when we were out exploring other parts of the world with our parents.

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by suztav

Seems as if Frederik & Mary won't be taking their annual February ski vacation with the kids due to his Olympic commitment during that time frame. Perhaps that's why they are taking this vacation with the children??

You are probably right, Suztav.

Perhaps Mary and some of the children will join him in Russia?

[polyesco]

So far, its on the DRF calendar that Frederik will be in Sochi from the 4th to the 8th. probably in IOC meetings before the olympics start. Mary has events in DK, from the 3rd to the 6th.

Frederik will also be in Sochi from the 17th to the 22nd. maybe mary will join?

While I love seeing pics of them, I am glad that they can sneak away and have a nice family trip away. : )