Year 12 formal - HELP

Has anyone had experience going to a year 12 formal as a parent of a graduate? And I don't mean just turning up and getting the photos with the cool cars and red carpet and stuff, I mean paying big money to celebrate the formal with the kid. An invitation has been sent by the school and "all the parents are doing it"... 

You need to be a member of 1Eyed Eel to add comments!

Join 1Eyed Eel

Votes: 0
Email me when people reply –

Replies

  • Mate, it will come and go, don't feel pressured into doing anything you're not comfortable with.

    My daughter is having her formal this year, no big money spent here, I'm saving money to further her education, other parents can throw parties for teenagers with limit experience with alcohol. The only thing I want to pick up off my lawn is leaves, not drunken teenagers. 

    I've arranged for a bouquet of flowers, and for my daughter and her friends to be driven to their formal in a friends Ford XYGT Falcon.

    • You couldn't have picked a better car to organise for her. I don't think I was clear, the school have actually sent a note and it's 120 bucks per student and parent and I don't want to do it. Seems like an absolute toss and an invasion on the kids' celebrations. But apparently I'm wrong to think like that. 

      • Tough one, your opinion is not wrong but what do you do? I'm paying $130.00 for just her, for that, she gets a dinner and a dance. Mate, you don't have a choice, it will be the worst $120 you never spent, you don't want your child to miss their first real milestone. 

         

        • No problem paying 120 for the kid, just don't want to pay 240 more for two adults

          • Mate I know, we needed to pay $130.00 per extra person, kids don't want their parents there anyway, my daughter is going on her own and she's happy. She would have paid me $130.00 for me or my wife not to go lol.

             

  • This reply was deleted.
    • I'm glad I don't have a memory of my parents sitting and dining at my year 12 formal. It's not really about the money, it's my gf's kid and I don't understand the purpose, surely if you asked kids the vote would be "no parents". Unheard of when I was 18, parents took photos then farked right off. 

  • Yeah na fuck that , how embarrassing for the poor kids.   It’s like extreme helicopter parenting and the school are cashing in on it .  What kind of school thinks it’s acceptable to wallop parents in the sky rocket to accompany their children to a school dance ?  So if I’m understanding correctly it’s a fee for the privilege of being there , or is it a fee for services ( as in you get dinner and drinks ) ? 

    • The adults pay 120 each for the same dinner and drinks as the kids. 

      • $120 for dinner and drinks isn’t bad . What’s the problem / question ? I thought you had to pay just to go watch them . I wouldn’t go myself but in this day and age I guess certain cultures wouldn’t allow their daughters to go without the father keeping an eye on her virginity .

        • Hey Wiz, I guess the problem is that I find the whole fucken thing weird, I'd find it hard to find more than 10 percent of young people who'd actually want their parents at their formal. I mean they have the graduation ceremony for that sort of celebration and that doesn't involve spending up money and watching kids try to socialise under our watchful eye. It's tantamount to going to Schoolies week with them in my opinion. I'm not the most social person and struggle to get primed for even a wedding, where you're actually invited by the actual people celebrating, not by their authoritarian overseers. It's a Catholic school by the way.. 

This reply was deleted.

Latest comments

Alfred replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Trial #2 / Pre Season Challenge Week 3 Team List v Sydney Roosters
"Ryles going to have a headache each week picking the team it’s looking promising hopefully we stay consistent "
13 minutes ago
Parra fan on The Hill replied to SuperEel 22's discussion Ryles 2.0: 2026 gets off to a bright start in Eels trial
"True. Richard was good too. I expect him at some stage this year to be thrown a first grade jersery to cover for injuries/ suspension.
In general out junior stocks look top stuff and it hasnt been that way for over 20 years with the 2001 baby Eels."
22 minutes ago
Adam Magrath replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Teancum Brown pushing his case for R1
"Same, there's going to have to be some consideration to 5/8 for 2027 but I think we are well served up front."
25 minutes ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Trial #2 / Pre Season Challenge Week 3 Team List v Sydney Roosters
"Moretti needs to get his body right.  Has been unlucky.  Being injured a lot of the time means other younger players can overtake. 
Has played around 20 games in 2 years "
31 minutes ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Teancum Brown pushing his case for R1
"I think a quality outside back/centre should be the priority. A premium Prop forward would help, but i think the fact that we have good depth and development in that position, meant we aren't going to be offering super crazy money for someone like…"
36 minutes ago
macybrown replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Teancum Brown pushing his case for R1
"Yeah that'd be it LB. He looks fantastic. Hope he has a great year. If it was me I'd be ready and running off him as often as possible ;)
be great to get my fave Sam.T and Teacum into a bit of that kinda training oooh imagine both of those with some…"
36 minutes ago
HH - Love You Iongi Time! replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Trial #2 / Pre Season Challenge Week 3 Team List v Sydney Roosters
"Fair play to you MW for owning up. I have casted dire opinions on Russell to so far be proven wrong as his game progresses.
Respect. "
38 minutes ago
Michael W. replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Trial #2 / Pre Season Challenge Week 3 Team List v Sydney Roosters
"That was me LB. But I did say it depends on whether Williams can play on the right, as both are left side players. "
50 minutes ago
Perpetual Motion replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Teancum Brown pushing his case for R1
"T.Brown is a beast."
56 minutes ago
Adam Magrath replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Teancum Brown pushing his case for R1
"Chief given where we are at, are you in the market for a top tier prop? "
1 hour ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Teancum Brown pushing his case for R1
"Nah, he used to box fat and it doesn't get easier to lose as you get older...Ozempic, not that there's anything wrong with that. Every trainer always tried to pul weight off of Jnr forever, but to no avail. Now? Easy-peasy"
1 hour ago
Parra-all-the-way replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Trial #2 / Pre Season Challenge Week 3 Team List v Sydney Roosters
"Agreed, Russell was nearly our best player last week, and was going pretty good by the time the year finished in 2025"
1 hour ago
LB replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Trial #2 / Pre Season Challenge Week 3 Team List v Sydney Roosters
"I mean perhaps, but he can still play some decent minutes in NRL trial too. It's a trial so doesn't matter if he is a risk with his fitness in terms of fatigue errors."
1 hour ago
Longfin Eel replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Trial #2 / Pre Season Challenge Week 3 Team List v Sydney Roosters
"I think Moretti is still a WIP. Ryles will only put him in first grade if he feels Moretti has done his homework. I have no doubt he will come in soon enough though."
1 hour ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Teancum Brown pushing his case for R1
"Boxing Macy. I taught the daughter of Paulo's boxing coach, gave a signed shirt for Xmas for teaching last year haha.
But boxing would have fit as and works on his footwork and discipline."
1 hour ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Teancum Brown pushing his case for R1
"Yeah as EA said he's 22. It is very impressive and credit to Ryles and the staff for the work they put in."
1 hour ago
More…

Keaon done deal

As of Thursday, December 11, 2025, South Sydney Rabbitohs forwardKeaon Koloamatangi has reportedly agreed to a deal with the Parramatta Eels, but it is not yet officially announced by the clubs.  Soon to be announced.

Read more…
14 Replies · Reply by Poppa Jan 9
Views: 2079

 

V'Landys on Hello Sport

Happy Monday, if anyone wants a good laugh to start their week, skip to 32:50 mark and listen to this f***wit talk. It is laughable seriously. Claiming the offer of $300k was a great deal and we can put that into our junior system. But said we can…

Read more…
49 Replies · Reply by Poppa 2 hours ago
Views: 1766

<script src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
<!-- Sidebar -->
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<script>// <![CDATA[
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
// ]]></script>