why are schools always asking for money!

Katie-Kat-Kins

The reason schools do so many charity events, like fancy dress days for comic relief is that often in the small print there will be a percentage to the school fund.

If you think the costs at your child's school are too high or badly administered then raise this with the head. It isn't unreasonable to limit the number of events per year that the school lay on. Having said that it doesn't hurt your child to not have all the extras. My parents NEVER bought my school photo, it was unnecessarily expesive for a rubbish picture that my dad could do better. I am not mentally scarred as a result.

We also used to go to the summer fair and not necessarily have a go on any of the stalls. Especially not the rubbish over priced and pointless ones, we'd perhaps have a raffle ticket and buy some books off the bring and buy stall as a family. Incidentally at our secondary school my sister and her friend took the initiative to organise a shoe shine stall, they dressed up and had a raised chair (a school chair on a block from the gym) they brought their own polishes and brushes from home and between two of them made more money than any other stall.

People like to get something for their donation. Cake stalls are normally a big hit too.

Likewise with sponsorship, a sponsored walk/silence is pointless, but a charity car wash or sponsored litter pick is a brilliant win/win idea. Schools should be a bit more innovative and considerate.