Gifts for Teachers

Polly

The letter was discussed on a BBC Radio Ulster phone in show hosted by Steven Nolan this morning. I didn't catch all of the show but know he was trying to make contact with the school to get a comment from them. It should be possible to listen to today's show via the web on https://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/radio/nolan,

lynzpower

Sorry, but can someone clarify for me why its acceptable or even EXPECTED to buy presents for someone when we pay thier wages as public servants.

When I was a kid, we made the teachers a card ( sorry we wont see you next year type idea) and very occasionally, we might get some sort of poundshop vase or nice pen for the teacher, but my parents thought this excessive with the attitude "they earn more than me and we pay thier wages" My parents I felt were a bit tight about this, but over the years you can see I now agree with them!!!!

funky-footprints

i think that is a huge sum to ask for and rather greedy ? a letter yes could of been sent home, but is this from the headmistress or the PTA ? if perhaps a teacher was leaving but then it us up to the parent to put in what the think is suitable ? ? blimey thank goodness we are not in that school !!

i dont realy think of my husband paying thier wages, at the end of the day they are teaching my kids and i love the relationship my sons teacher has with him ...... having had a night out with her before Easter, I found her great company out of school and an excellent drinking partner .. lol !!!! i know it is us that pays for the gift but it is a gift from our child not us to the teacher.

nearlyrich

How rude, I was always taught that it's the thought that counts.

Becles

As a mother of two school age children, I would be furious if my two came home with something like this.

Normally mine just take in a token gesture costing a couple of pounds, unless the teacher has been exceptionally good with them, then I'll spend up to a fiver!

mountainofdebt

I wanted to say thanks to ALL his teachers bought a thank you card that had a wonderful verse in it that seemed to sum up everything I wanted to say.

As far as I was concerned, this was sufficient.

VickyA_2

I will repeat my post from the thread on the Northern Ireland board:

I am absolutely disgusted at the school's arrogance! I am a teacher and in no way expect a present at the end of term. It's my job to teach these children, I chose the profession and the best present is to hear a "thank you" (like in any industry) at the end from the child.

juno

At the end of 6th form, we splashed out and bought a day pass for 2 teachers to a health spa (Hoar Cross Hall for those who know these things). Even then, once shared out it only came to £6 per person!

For primary school, £10 is ridiculous. You do get some good teachers who would deserve that, but the idea of sharing them out means that isn't taken into account.

Gingham_Ribbon

As a teacher I find this disgraceful. I'd politely return the letter with my opinions enclosed. And expect my son to send thank you cards to those who did a good job with him.

bylromarha

Blimey, £10 M+S vouchers? I think it's important, as has been said before, whether this has come from the school or from the parents.

I know my friend who teaches in a primary in a very exclusive area of town would not find this at all shocking as her parents would organise things like this all the time for Christmas and end of year. Most parents organised something similar for each teacher + EA in the school if the general consensus was that they had done a good job with their child, but the request was never from the school or the head. My friend got a very nice digital camera last academic year with the gift vouchers she received.

For my school, in my non exclusive part of town, this would be outrageous and would have the parents up in arms, understandably. I would love a new digital camera, but I love heartfelt thank yous even more.

BTW, we also had to declare gifts over £10, so I guess that's a nation wide requirement for all council workers.