It's Time For Students To Party

Newcastle Herald

Friday August 22, 2008

GR

THE school formal is the social highlight of the academic year calendar.

It's a time for the girls to frock up, the boys to dress up and for everyone to act grown-up.

There was a time when participation in such an occasion was restricted to those graduating from year 12.

Back then the school formal was a rite of passage marking the transition from adolescence and a new level of maturity.

Things are different today.

School formals are arranged for year 12, year 10 and year six students. There is even a trend to arrange special functions for pre-schoolers a scaled-down formal for those making the move into "big school".

It seems that any significant change is worthy of celebration.

And it can be costly . . . especially when it comes to the senior high school years and even more so when families have daughters who are keen to socialise.

There's the gown, the accessories, the make-up and the hairstyle. Then comes the transport and the photographs.

The good news is that there are ways to economise.

Keen shoppers can find bargains, especially if they plan ahead.

Brand name knock-offs can be a less expensive alternative and a little care and imagination can take the sting out of paying through the nose for personal presentation.

Transport expenses can be reduced if a group pools resources.

Memories of the evening can be captured by a talented shutterbug who could well be a family member or friend.

Far less complicated is the task of organising boys.

For a start it's generally acceptable that a hired suit is more than adequate.

And, while boys can be finicky when it comes to hairstyles, there are far fewer dramas.

The important thing is that the socialisers are happy with the arrangements that have been made.

While that's not necessarily always easy to achieve, planning and commonsense can make it more than possible.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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