A number of years ago, I was introduced to a family of youngsters (ranging in ages from about 5 to 11) who were homeschooled. I make reference to this experience so as to convince you all of the great disadvantage of this means of educating your children. These children were completely incapable of normal social interaction with those of us attending public school. They grouped together and had their own private jokes and conversations and ultimately appeared rude and stuck up. That's not to say that they were, of course, but my point is that this is how they seemed, given that they had never before been placed in a situation whereby they were confronted with the prospect of playing and talking with other kids their own age. Yes, homeschooling may prove the better option but public school is, I believe, integral to the personal and social development of the child.

It is my belief that playing sport should NOT be made compulsory.

Between the ages of 13 and 17 I attended a secondary school (the combined equivalent of middle school and high school) who coerced its students into participating in sport in the form of P.E (physical education or "gym") classes. These may have been just 80 minutes once a week but proved hell for those of us who were useless at sport (I suffer from dyspraxia, a condition whereby you lack the coordination sports require). I was laughed at, cursed at and generally bullied by my classmates whose abilities in that area were blatantly superior-Had I been given permission to use that 80 minute period in more constructive ways-for example, studying quietly-it's likely I would not have been ridiculed in the manner I was.

Our strengths and weaknesses differ and it certainly isn't fair to force someone who is physcially incapable of adequately playing sport to do so, leading them to feel humiliated and hurt.

Sport should not be a punishment but an enjoyable pastime.

A great many of my friends are either homosexuals or bisexuals so I don't think anything in particular about either orientation.

I am angered by claims that homosexuality is a lifestyle choice, as opposed to something with which one is born. If that is so then why have so many turned to suicide by means of escaping the ordeal that is "coming out" to their family, friends and others? On an alternative note, however, I agree that there are cases in which individuals claim to be a particular sexual orientation in order to gain favour amongst people. It's sad, but true.