I've really had enough today...

Teahfc

woody01 wrote: »

I will pay the £6 so your daughter can have her trip!
I don't always agree with adults and what they do but i don't like seeing the kids missing out

When i was younger, my mum was broke and i used to listen to her cry when i was in bed as she couldn't make ends meet.
I missed out constantly so now i am in a position to help i would like to.

Do you have PayPal? If so, PM me your email addy so i can transfer it.

(This isn't a joke or anything........it would just be good to help someone for a change)

And I will match that £6 so daughter can have some spending money !
Pay pal works for me aswell send me a PM

athensgeorgia

At our school our trip letters say exactly the same thing. I always worry about affording it and think sometimes i might not pay seeing as though it does say voluntary but i do in the end because i don't want my kids having to worry what their friends say. It really breaks my heart when my 7 yr old comes home from school with a trip letter saying 'It doens't matter if i can't go i know we're poor'. Yes our circumstances have changed alot from a year or 2 ago so we are struggling at the moment but i think we're doing slightly better than some families in the current situation, she just notices we don't doing as many costly things as we used to.

Another thing though since i joined the PTA i've now found out why school asks for £1's alot with lots of non-uniform days and such like. When theres a trip coming up they use half of the money raised to go towards the trip and rest goes into the PTA fund so maybe part of your childs trip will be subsidised.

Birdy12

blue_sea wrote: »

Hi Cattie

Thanks for the reply, the letter says

"We are asking a voluntary contribution of £12, unfortunately if we do not receive sufficient contributions the trip may have to be cancelled"

Assuming your child is one of 30 in their class, then you're looking at a total amount of £360 requested. It's unlikely that just because one person doesn't pay the £12, it would result in the cancellation of the trip. Indeed, if the trip was cancelled then you could be sure that a number of people will have not paid, not just you!

Don't beat yourself up over this. You've probably paid for a number of things connected to the school, so what you if you don't contribute to one particular thing? Think about what you have contributed to so far. I wouldn't even contribute a tiny amount or have a quiet word in anyone's ear, why you haven't contributed this time is your own business, no-one else's.

Written by one who has two children and sighs every time she looks in their book bags and sees the next request for cash!..

AnxiousMum

Blue_sea.....As a mum of five kids - I certainly do understand your dilemna - and both my partner and I work full time - but yes, all the notices come in the same week, needing the money the following week (usually the week before pay day too).
Majority of schools now have 'school funds' that you pay when your child starts at the school, or each year. These two are 'voluntary' - those that can pay, those that can't, well, they simply can't.
It's likely that they have overbudgeted for the trip - maybe it only costs £10.50 per child, but they say £12.00 - as the teaching staff don't have to pay, but their costs have to be met somewhere. However, I would object if my partner had to pay for his upcoming overnight trip to the battlefields in France - he's going because he has to - he'd much rather go with his own kids at his own leisure - however, the kids fees are also paying for the teachers fees. Other fees might be contributed from school funds - and that's exactly what school funds are there for - things that cannot be covered under normal school budget.
Go talk to the headteacher - and make sure your daughter has a great trip

space_rider

When I was on income support, if it said voluntary contribution and I knew that I didn`t have the money then I just didn`t pay. I didn`t feel bad about it and my daughters never mentioned that they felt awkward. They didn`t particularly want to have free school dinners but once they realised they weren`t alone they were fine. Their school was a mixture of really really wealthy ones and then the middle of the road ones and then those on benefits. My 17 year old had her prom last year and we went to a few of her friends houses before they got on the prom transport and whoa, the massive houses with lawns that well took my breath away. I haven`t been on income support for a few years now so of course I do contribute though sometimes when you are expected to pay for 2 school trips in one week plus lunch money it`s a bit much.

kazzah

to Blue Sea ( and anyone else in her position)
have you thought about approaching a charity and asking for help?
there is an excellent charity called Gentlemens Night Out
which will help individuals as well as other charities and I am sure they would be able to help - perhaps with a grant of £50 or so - then you could have a little "kitty" to dip into for such occasions

and to TeaFC and Woody - good on you guys...........
altruism is a dying thing in the world today - you are truly wonderful guys