How can I find my old pictures?

[Yorkshire Pudding]

I work in a secondary school and end-of-term presents are a rare commodity, mainly because each child is taught by several different teachers. At Christmas we are inundated with cards and put them all on display in the room which looks lovely.

 

I certainly don't expect to be given gifts. I do appreciate it when a child or parent takes the time to thank me though.

 

I take in home-made truffles at Christmas for the staff to share, and write a personal message of thanks in a card at the end of the year. Other than that I volunteer for a morning a week in the school as a specialist adult helper and I know that is very much appreciated.

 

I am amazed that some classes organise a collection - surely that takes away the choice to give or not and also the personal nature of the gift?

[Christian]

Hello Helen!

 

Haven't seen you around for a while. Nice to see you again.

[Shirl]

I work in a secondary school and end-of-term presents are a rare commodity, mainly because each child is taught by several different teachers. At Christmas we are inundated with cards and put them all on display in the room which looks lovely.

 

I certainly don't expect to be given gifts. I do appreciate it when a child or parent takes the time to thank me though.

 

I take in home-made truffles at Christmas for the staff to share, and write a personal message of thanks in a card at the end of the year. Other than that I volunteer for a morning a week in the school as a specialist adult helper and I know that is very much appreciated.

 

I am amazed that some classes organise a collection - surely that takes away the choice to give or not and also the personal nature of the gift?

I like the class collection idea because otherwise it is so hard to buy for the teacher when you don't really know them. Your average 5 year old doesn't know much about their teacher. Certainly in Eloise's class the children probably weren't even aware of the collection. Each parent was given 2 stickers for the child to write his/her name on which was then stuck in the card. The downside is that it then seems as if it is impersonal but TBH it would be anyway for me. Eloise didn't particularly like her teacher and I don't think she's great but I still think she deserves thanks for the effort she puts in.

[iar fach goch]

Having been a teacher in a previous life my favourite ever gift (which I still have ) was a small candle in the shape of an apple which the little girl who gave it to me had tried to eat, leaving a lovely little set of teeth marks! As a mum, I don't really do the gifts thing, I write a card to all the staff at Christmas, and the boys make their own and we send it in with a huge tin of choccies for the staff room. At the end of the school year I send in a home made cake for them all to devour. I remember how lovely it was to have a little treat at break time with your cuppa.

[Alis girls]

Zoomed over to Brent X with sons, dispensed ES to Topshop to spend his pocket money on clothes and YS and I got vouchers and flowers from M&S for teachers and 2 classroom assistants. next year i am having a rest and wont be doing this. I agree - less parents have contributed this yr and can only asssume they want to do own thing, this is for the lazy ones who have no imagination like moi

[Yorkshire Pudding]

Hello Helen!

 

Haven't seen you around for a while. Nice to see you again.

 

 

Hello! It's nice to be back!

 

Been a little bit busy, OFSTED etc., but all over now... hooray!

[little chickadee]

I'm really pleased with the gift we gave my son's teacher this year. He's had the same teacher for 2 years and she has been amazing. My son has Aspergers syndrome and the teacher has worked so fabulously with him (one of those teachers who gives her all to her job) he's come on so much in the last two years.

 

My husband and I took in our musical instruments the other week as the class were learning about sound in science. The teacher said that she had always wanted to learn to play the violin and that she was hoping to persuade her husband when she retired. We gave her a voucher for 10 free violin lessons from my husband. She was so excited I thought she was going to cry! When she told the staff about this, they decided to use her collection money (she's retiring this year) to go towards a violin at the local music shop.

 

Didn't cost us a penny, just a little time (a home made gift really!) Normally we just give boxes of eggs to teachers/ Teaching Assistants. They always seem to go down really well.

[Chucky Mama]

I think that is lovely and illustrates what the whole giving gifts to teachers is all about. It should be something that you want to give to someone that has done something special. Not a meaningless something that you feel you should give. I hate to be a grouch but my son's teacher for the last 2 years has barely sat foot in his classroom for the last year, leaving the class in the hands of a poor trainee. I asked my son if he wanted to make something for her or give something to her and he said 'why'. You are lucky to have such a wonderful teacher and teachers like her deserve all the praise and gifts that they get. Well done you

[cordelia]

my two girls gave a plant ( v pretty from m&S at only £2.99) to each of their teachers this year and to the head teacher who is retiring...(i was supposed to contribute to a present for her but forgot)...each all got a handwritten card too..

 

 

I've been more imaginative other years, but it can get out of hand...and athe plants (darned if I can remember what they are..and I do know, were gorgeous)

 

at my nephews private school...presents are much more exotic, according to my sister....

 

(but then my nephews and their friends regard anyone who doesnt attend their school as "chavs"...so they're welcome to their presents as the children are horrors !! )

[Ygerna]

I've been really interested in reading the wide range of responses to this thread. When I first read the title I read it as 'should I or shouldn't i'. I was amazed to read about the collections - I hadn't heard of that one; does it affect the kids who don't/can't contribute in any way?

I have to say that throughout my 4 kids time at school I've never given presents to their teachers. It never sat well with me to give someone a present for doing their job. What I have done for the last 8 years is been a school governor and offered my support to the school in that way.

 

I'm sure I'm not alone in this: i bet omleteers are in the PTA, are governors, help with reading, or bake cakes for the annual school fete. I think you've probably all done your bit to support the schools and the teachers in them.

 

I contribute to the collections AND do something. If I didnt put into the collection, DD would not be able to add her name to the card. So, when the card is given (in Class time) she would not have her name in it.

 

I do it because I dont want her to ask why?

 

This year she made Vanilla Angels for her Teacher and TA, she made them herself, they were a bit squishy and mishapen but she did it. We turned it into a little educational experience (I would have home educated but DH was adamant that they go to mainstream school) he younger brother made some too (boy that was fun ) and she enjoyed it. I am just cross that we feel obliged to do the collections too.