[Image: Flickr/ CC]
A handful of dads at Grey Junior School in Gqeberha are probably wishing they could turn back time after their antics at a recent foundation phase school camp landed them in hot water. And not the soothing, morning-coffee kind—more like the scalding, “What were you thinking?” kind.
The annual “Dads and Lads” camp is meant to be a wholesome bonding experience for Grade 1 and 2 boys and their fathers. Picture fireside chats, quality father-son time, and early bedtimes. Instead, what unfolded two weekends ago was, as headmaster Grant Butler put it, “embarrassing conduct.”
AKA, a small crew of fathers allegedly took the school’s no-alcohol policy as more of a suggestion than a rule, leading to an evening of, let’s say, questionable decision-making.
In a strongly worded letter sent to all the bad dads, dated 13 March and signed by Butler, it was made clear that since the camp, complaints had been rolling in about certain fathers who threw the rulebook out the window—ignoring the alcohol ban, especially in the presence of children, disregarding lights-out time, and generally causing a ruckus.
Per News24, the letter said, “The drunken revelry, foul language, and verbally aggressive confrontations between fathers in the early hours of the morning have no place at a foundation phase event at Grey Junior.”
“This regrettable behaviour resulted in significant disturbances and has understandably upset many parents and children.”
According to an insider, the event saw around 200 dads pitching up, kitted out with brand-new tents and, allegedly, a rather lively playlist that carried on into the early hours. Clearly, some took the “boys’ weekend” concept a little too far.
Unsurprisingly, the school was not impressed. Butler’s letter stressed that the incident was being taken very seriously, and consequences were on the horizon. The school is now reviewing what action to take against the culprits, and, in a move that sounds very much like a disappointed parent laying down the law, warned that the future of the camp itself could be in jeopardy.
“The whole sorry affair has had us considering whether the event has run its course. The future of events like these relies on everyone’s cooperation and respect for the rules established to ensure safety, enjoyment and positive bonding experiences.
“Moving forward, the school will institute stricter supervision and clear consequences, should the rules be ignored,” it emphasised.
While thanking the well-behaved majority for upholding the school’s standards, Butler made it crystal clear that future events will operate on a “pack-up-your-tent-and-go” policy if necessary.
“To the great majority who were as appalled by the lack of respect as I am, thank you for your understanding and cooperation in maintaining the high standards expected at our school.”
“Let’s work together to preserve the integrity of this much-loved tradition for our boys.”
News24 reached out to the school for confirmation, and Christopher Arnold, chairperson of the school governing body, responded, saying the matter had been “properly investigated” and “appropriately addressed and resolved to the satisfaction of all parties concerned.”
He added that the letter was meant strictly for Grade 1 and 2 parents and was not supposed to end up on social media, stating: “The school considers this matter as closed.”
Ah, what is that saying parents love to say? ‘All fun and games until someone takes it too far’.
[Source: News24]
