kids schools with begging bowls at the ready

mum26

It cost me £6 to take my children to school last friday! £1 each for children in need mufti. Plus I baked 60+ twinks hob nobs and a made a huge tray of rocky road for dd2 to sell at school.

Two of "our" schools were doing the Samaritans Purse shoeboxes. My children were politely but firmly informed we would not be taking part in this as I don't give to envangelising charities no matter how they choose to dress their activities up.

We are currently struggling financially and the constant last minute squeals for money from the schools are really not helping.

I didn't buy any of the school photos this year, not even our littlests first ever one, mostly because some brightspark decided to choose a venture style photographer and the pictures were absolutely dreadful! But even the cheapest options were £15+.

DD2 currently at her school disco, free, all children who have missed less than 4 homeworks a term are eligible for a ticket so 99% of her keystage are going, just some pocket money for refreshments needed. They do this there for each key stage, also they do a hot breakfast every morning in sats week and a free ice cream each on the last day. This is the school that asks for least money! Perhaps they have a better grasp on their budget management?

Janepig

mum26 wrote: »

It cost me £6 to take my children to school last friday! £1 each for children in need mufti. Plus I baked 60+ twinks hob nobs and a made a huge tray of rocky road for dd2 to sell at school.

Two of "our" schools were doing the Samaritans Purse shoeboxes. My children were politely but firmly informed we would not be taking part in this as I don't give to envangelising charities no matter how they choose to dress their activities up.

We are currently struggling financially and the constant last minute squeals for money from the schools are really not helping.

I didn't buy any of the school photos this year, not even our littlests first ever one, mostly because some brightspark decided to choose a venture style photographer and the pictures were absolutely dreadful! But even the cheapest options were £15+.

DD2 currently at her school disco, free, all children who have missed less than 4 homeworks a term are eligible for a ticket so 99% of her keystage are going, just some pocket money for refreshments needed. They do this there for each key stage, also they do a hot breakfast every morning in sats week and a free ice cream each on the last day. This is the school that asks for least money! Perhaps they have a better grasp on their budget management?

And that's the key - luckily the headteacher at DD/DS's school seems to have a good grasp of the budget and asks only occasionally, although he still asks . But I think budget management would seem to be beyond alot of headteachers, particularly going on what some posters on here have to stump up. But there is a difference between paying for things out of "guilt" and then trips and so on.

What you said about the shoe boxes is fair comment - I know alot of people have reservations because of the background of organisations like Samaritans Purse and if you don't do it on those grounds then fine. I'm not religious but I've done them in the past - I didn't do it this year because I just didn't have the time (or the shoe boxes - although I could have begged for some I guess). Much like I would never contribute to any charity that I wasn't entirely happy with - I certainly don't donate without thinking.

Jxx