‘Come ride our pony Zeus’: First world problems of the modern parent at exclusive school exposed in leaked WhatsApp group messages – but there’s no dramas over the $39k-a-year fees
- WhatsApp group messages expose ‘first world’ problems some people endure
- Parents from Ascham School ask best time to stop cutting tomatoes on lunches
- Another parent extended an invitation for pony ride in Sydney’s Centennial Park
- Ascham School in Sydney’s east charges almost $40,000 in school fees annually
A collective of parents who send their daughters to an exclusive private school have revealed some of their main ‘gripes’ in leaked WhatsApp group messages.
For many, the chief worry would understandably be the astronomical fees Ascham School in Sydney’s east charge annually – as much as $39,900 a year for boarders – but it turns out stubborn school socks are a modern day cause for concern.
‘Hi … are anybody else’s kids upset with the school socks? Mine are really sensitive to the hard bits at the end of the little toe,’ one mother posted on the thread dubbed Ascham Parents Social Chat.’
‘At first I thought my eldest was just too fussy, but now she is really upset about them. It’s a hassle every morning.’
One of the first world problems for students at Ascham – sensitive socks, which are ‘a hassle’ for some
A pony ride in Sydney’s Centennial Park as well as picnic is on offer for parents and students at Ascham
Another conversation starter was the best recommended age to stop cutting up tomatoes on school lunches, before an open invitation was extended to group members about an upcoming picnic and pony ride, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘Our pony’s name is Zeus and we are going for a ride in (Sydney’s) Centennial Park,’ one of the messages read.
‘If you’re free and wanting to join, please do.’
Ascham School, located at Edgecliff in Sydney’s ritzy east, charge $39,900 per year in school fees alone.
Text books, laptops and school uniforms come at additional costs.
Notable Ascham alumni include journalist Mia Freedman, philanthropist Gretel Packer and Macquarie Bank chief executive Shemara Wikramanayake.
Only neighbouring SCEGGS Darlinghurst charge more for ‘elite education’ in Sydney, with their yearly fees a whopping $41,090 according to data obtained from Edstart 2021 National School Fees Report.
Ascham School, located at Edgecliff in Sydney’s ritzy east, charge $39,900 per year in school fees alone (stock image)
Despite a global pandemic last year, only 20 per cent of NSW private schools elected to freeze fees for parents.
A number of principals defended the ever-increasing costs as ‘necessary’, pointing to higher costs associated with paying their staff.
‘There are parents who work three jobs to keep their children at some schools… schools are very aware of the pressures on parents,’ Association of Independent Schools NSW chief executive Dr Geoff Newcombe said at the time.
Source link