Charging entrance to Nativity Play?

shellsuit

Why should anyone have to pay to watch their own child at school?! I'd be so tempted to tell the school not to include my child in the play as I wouldn't be paying, but that wouldn't be fair on the child. Got you by the balls haven't they?

Parents should be charging the school to have their kids in the play as I'm sure schools make quite a bit on raffle tickets and tea/coffee the nights of the plays.

If enough parents said they weren't happy with paying this money, I'm sure the school would change their minds.

McKneff

Its absolutely outrageous.
You should all get together as parents and object strongly. They are doing it because you are allowing them to.
One parent at a time is no good, you need a lot together to go and see the head.
Dont buy the ticket, go to the school on the night and petition and recruit some parents before they go in, then go and see the head.

Strength in numbers.

ailuro2

Well if my kid got to be Mary I might pay a fiver....:rotfl:

she is now 12 and still bears a grudge that the blonde girl got to be Mary while she and 43 other had to be sheep!:rotfl:

Paying to get into your own kid's Nativity is downright awful, and I would complain to the school.

Yes, I could see where they were going with it if they suggested everyone bring a gift to hand out to the local homeless shelter to use at Christmas, but £5 for the school fund? NO WAY, I'm sure poor Mary and Joseph couldn't have afforded the equivalent back in the day, so why should families have to now?:eek:

richardvc

shellsuit wrote: »

Why should anyone have to pay to watch their own child at school

But why not ?

I haven't heard a sound argument against it apart from 'we don't want to pay'

Surely it is for the common good........ ??

Ps I'm playing devil's advocate her but I think you are totally right, they have you by the proverbials and to make them compulsory 'voluntary' donations is awful !

shellsuit

richardvc wrote: »

But why not ?

I haven't heard a sound argument against it apart from 'we don't want to pay'

Surely it is for the common good........ ??

Ps I'm playing devil's advocate her but I think you are totally right, they have you by the proverbials and to make them compulsory 'voluntary' donations is awful !

Because the school would be making money from using my child and as the child's parent, I should be able to agree to pay, or not agree to pay.

The plays are not during school hours so the children have to be taken to and from school yet again on the days the plays will be held, so that is time and money for parents.

What if the child had younger siblings that can't attend and the parent/s have to pay for a baby sitter? They would be paying more money out.

What if the parent/s have to take time from work to go and watch their child? They would be losing money there.

If it's anything like the plays my eldest 2 were in, it was a bloody tiring week for them! They'd be in school all day, then have to scoff their tea quickly before heading back out to school, then wouldn't get home until it was dark and have to go straight to bed because of school the next morning.

suited-aces

I thought it was the norm? Back in the day my parents were always charged to see me sing incredibly badly! Still remember the year they couldnt afford to go

caz2703

richardvc wrote: »

But why not ?

I haven't heard a sound argument against it apart from 'we don't want to pay'

Surely it is for the common good........ ??

Ps I'm playing devil's advocate her but I think you are totally right, they have you by the proverbials and to make them compulsory 'voluntary' donations is awful !

Why should you be charged to see your own child perform in order to make money for the school? I know schools need money especially the way Ms Ruane is messing up the education system but to charge money to watch your OWN child in a NATIVITY play during the season of goodwill to all men is mean, uncharitable and downright cheeky. I would have no problem if there was a raffle, tea & cake stall or even a donation box but given how many differing ways I've seen my step-daughters school fish for money I'd be inclined to tell them to foxtrot oscar if they think I'm paying to see kids perform.

mollypoppy

Thanks everyone for all the replies. I am glad I'm not the only one that thinks its wrong. I dont mind buying raffle tickets and even giving prizes for the ballot. I was even donating cakes etc for after the nativity. I dont see any justification for charging £5 per person attending the event. (they have only just put a notice up for this charge). They could be selling ballots at the door and even a £1/2 entrance fee £5 is too much. There are other ways of raising money in a more delicate manner rather than fleecing the parents/grandparents etc.

It means that everyone will be far less willing to help with fundrasing theres a softly softly approach for raising money, were the end result will means they raise a lot more money.

richardvc

shellsuit wrote: »

Because the school would be making money from using my child and as the child's parent, I should be able to agree to pay, or not agree to pay. That money is ploughed back into the school - all for the common good.

The plays are not during school hours so the children have to be taken to and from school yet again on the days the plays will be held, so that is time and money for parents. Time and money for the teachers who volunteer to do this for your kids too !!

What if the child had younger siblings that can't attend and the parent/s have to pay for a baby sitter? They would be paying more money out. You would be doing that if it was free entry anyway.

What if the parent/s have to take time from work to go and watch their child? They would be losing money there. That goes with having kids surely ?

If it's anything like the plays my eldest 2 were in, it was a bloody tiring week for them! They'd be in school all day, then have to scoff their tea quickly before heading back out to school, then wouldn't get home until it was dark and have to go straight to bed because of school the next morning.

caz2703 wrote: »

Why should you be charged to see your own child perform in order to make money for the school? I know schools need money especially the way Ms Ruane is messing up the education system but to charge money to watch your OWN child in a NATIVITY play during the season of goodwill to all men is mean, uncharitable and downright cheeky. I would have no problem if there was a raffle, tea & cake stall or even a donation box but given how many differing ways I've seen my step-daughters school fish for money I'd be inclined to tell them to foxtrot oscar if they think I'm paying to see kids perform.The money has got to come from somewhere - where else other than from the parents of the kids who attend the school ?

Apologies, I am mischief making but I guess in these times of austerity schools have to be more inventive.

Sadly, I can only see it getting worse.

smokiewater

Schools seem to be charging for everything these days!

If the £5 was for something specific, either a charity the school had a link to or something in particular that they were fundraising for, then you probably wouldn't feel as bad about having to pay, but 'school funds' is a bit vague isn't it???

As for the principal who turned the 3 day old baby out in the cold...... well I would suggest turning them out in the current cold for 3 days to see how they like it! I would have 'no room at the inn' where that principal is concerned!

Hope the Nativity Play is a good one!:xmastree: