Canny lass

Seems like the girls, and the odd bloke I know, are getting in on the act as well. What I want to know is why men get to grow a bit of extra hair when its cold and we poor women ..... http://www.fanuary.com/

Thank you guys!! There's plenty there to get my teeth into and from the quick perusal I've just done, there seem to be some really good sites for such information. Myself, I haven't been able to find much on the Internet so I'm really grateful for the help.

or James Bond?

I can remember the schoolboard man as well Keith but as far as I know he just came to the school, looked at the register and knocked on doors. I'm more interested in this more intense activity which Keith (the otherin) describes above " phonecall, e-mail , letter, summons, fine, then if you still don't get them to school, Jail." At some point in time a decision must have been made to take these measures, probably at government level, and if that's the case the method is likely to have been evaluated at some time - unless it's very recent. It's this evaluation I'm interested in. Is the system working? Anybody know if the amount of truancy has been reduced?

Any idea how long the truant officer has had this type of roll Keith? Is it something relatively new? Have there been any reports (government, newspapers, TV etc.) on how successfull the system is or otherwise. Anybody know what the children think about this system?

Thanks for the response. I totally agree with you both, Keith and Malcolm. Academic achievement isn't everything. They seem to have an odd idea here about reporting the amount of absence in school reports. It's not allowed here but there is a growing contingencyof people who are pressing the government for this to be allowed. The reason it's not allowed is because it's seen as "a form of punishment for the child" - yes, those are the very words being used! - and not as a means of informing parents who may be unaware of the situation. I myself can see several positive aspects to recording absence. Firstly it gives a background against which to judge a child' achievements. If a child does really badly at school It may be because they have been absent for half the term because of illness and that should be taken into account. Equally a child can do extremely well despite having been absent for half the term because of ill health and that shouldn't be overlooked either. Secondly, I think it's a good thing for prospective employers to know how the attendance rate has been. Thirdly, I think it's good for the child to have some concrete figures so that he/she is made aware of the size of the problem. I'm interested in knowing what effects this system of fines in Britain is having - if any. Can anybody point me in the direction of any articles, information etc. on this?

I want one! I want one! Where can I buy one? A man who gets up at 7 am and gets on with preparing a meal without being bullied into it - now that's an innovation.

Well I'll be ....! I was nearly there this time. Really! I got the shaved heads bit for all but Persis Khambatta. Didn't know who she was. Mind you, I hate being in the sea so I'm pleased I didn't win this one.

There's a great debate going on here about how to reduce the very high truancy rate in schools. This evening, on the 9 o' clock news, I heard that parents in Britain are being fined (32,000 last year) if their children play truant. Can anybody throw any light on the subject? First and foremost, is it true? If so how long has this been going on and is it having any effect - positive or negative? I'd also like to know if the number of days of absence is still documented on school reports in Britain, as it was when I was a child. How about the school leaving report - can prospective employers see in the amount of absence in the child's leaving report? I'm greatful for any information as to how truancy is being dealt with in Britain.

Where was it?

Have you never heard us chapesses referring to "the wedding furniture"?

Believe that if you like.

I was just about to say that!

Congrats on the new job Keith. Hope it goes well.

Well I can only speak for the chapesses amongst us but YES, YES, YES!!!!! These are so infuriating but great fun at the same time. I'm black and blue all over due to kicking myself about the last solution.

What am I listening to right now? My heart going like the clappers while trying to find the connection in Keith's quiz!!

I share your sentiments Adam! What a singer. I used to love his shows on TV.

Done!

Have they all played themselves in a film?

Well I for one never would have got the answer! Not even with the help of Orson Wells!

Will you also be "revealing all" at the same time Keith or can I watch the news on TV then?

Actors?

Roll on Sunday night!!!!!

But then it wouldn't be a cure. It would be a preventative measure.

What did I tell you - lots of water and no pain killers!! Thanks Micky. Someone once told me that a raw egg swallowed whole (without the shell) would do the trick, if you could get it past your lips. Must be the British version of the Mongolian Mary.