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Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Secondary education

Do you buy Christmas presents for secondary school teachers?

19 replies

wineoclocktimeyet · 08/12/2013 20:54

DS1 is in year 7. At primary school used to buy his teacher a bottle at Christmas (and end of the academic year).

Still new to the secondary school protocol, do I get something for his Form Teacher, favourite teacher, anyone, no one?

Help please!

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notnowImreading · 08/12/2013 20:58

I'm a secondary teacher, been doing it for 14 years. I very rarely get any presents (and I'm quite popular, not the evil teacher) although yr 7 presents for form tutors are the most common. It's nice to get a present but absolutely not expected.
#mintmatchmakers...

usualsuspect · 08/12/2013 21:00

No I never did.

Hulababy · 08/12/2013 21:07

DD has just gone to secondary school too so we have been having this conversation.

At primary DD has always given a gift to her form teachers. However, at secondary she has several more teachers and doesn't really have the same relationship with her form teacher at all. . She sees her form tutor every day but spends more time with other teachers really - and, although she is nice, her favourite teachers are not her form teacher.

I was a secondary school teacher and it wasn't common to receive a gift then.

But so far, I am still undeided as to what to do. Think DD is waiting to see what others in her class do!

LizzieVereker · 08/12/2013 21:13

Oh definitely, in fact I think there's a bylaw that says you have to buy them diamonds, or a weekend in NYC, or an industrial size box from Hotel Chocolat.

What's that you say? Am I a secondary teacher? Who me? No...

Joking aside, Year 7s sometimes do for form tutors in my experience, but less so than at Primary. A card which the child or parents have written is a lovely, much appreciated gesture though.

Mosschops30 · 08/12/2013 21:30

No, but then I didn't for primary either

Eastpoint · 09/12/2013 11:46

Dd1 tends to buy her tutor a gift - tutor is late 20s & dd1 gets her some nail polish or chocolate coins (yr11). Dd2 (yr8) probably won't bother as her tutor is v gd but in her 40s. DS wouldn't notice even if he didn't receive any presents (teenage boy).

School policy is not expected in anyway & form reps are actively discouraged from making collections as unnecessary,

NoComet · 09/12/2013 11:52

No.

If my Dyslexic DD1 gets the grades she deserves in her GCSEs, there may be thank you cards to her long suffering English teacher and a couple of others who have done extra things after school, to ensure music and drama actually gets done.

But Christmas presents and cards no.

NigellasLeftNostril · 09/12/2013 11:54

no usually definitely not although i have thought of sending a card this year to one or two real stars. first time it has crossed my mind though and children are in year 10 now.

noblegiraffe · 09/12/2013 11:57

I'm a secondary teacher and it's not the done thing in my school either. Kids would be embarrassed to be seen giving a gift to their teacher!

Jinty64 · 09/12/2013 14:16

We gave to ds1's music teachers last year as they had really gone "above and beyond" and we give to the instrumental teachers each year.

secretsantasquirrels · 09/12/2013 18:04

No, it's not the done thing.

MillyMollyMama · 09/12/2013 18:21

No. Too many.

gazzalw · 09/12/2013 20:49

We did it for DS's teacher in Year 7 because I think they have a lot more input with them...I don't think I would this year particularly as we've had virtually no contact with his form-tutor.

MissMillament · 09/12/2013 23:19

I neither expect nor get gifts but one of my Y7 children gave me a card today and that was nice because it was her own idea and she wrote a sweet message in it.

clary · 10/12/2013 01:05

Oooh yes you definitely should!

Seriously, no need unless you/he desperately wants to. Certainly unusual rather than the norm. I have had a few Christmas cards this year tho!

Lottie4 · 10/12/2013 11:05

My daughter is adamant not to buy for any tutor in her school, half think she doesn't want the embarrassment of giving them something in front of her friends. It's a shame as lots of the tutors hand out chocolates, fun inexpensive gifts and they get nothing in return. She does give the form tutor a card though. I know it's a long way off, but when she leaves I think I'll get a little something for the tutors who have been most supportive and encouraging or she likes.

Leeds2 · 10/12/2013 23:05

My DD (Y11) will be getting something for her form tutor this year, as she has drawn him in Secret Santa. Otherwise, no.

bookluva · 12/12/2013 22:16

Personally, I think hard-working teachers who had their salaries frozen for 3 years and then only a 1% pay rise last September deserve a gift as recognition for the extremely long hours they work, stress and dedication to the job. I always buy a bottle of wine for my dd to give to her firm tutor.

BohemianRaspberry · 13/12/2013 12:57

I usually get a couple of gifts from subject students I teach if I've done something extra with them e.g very touched to receive chocolates from student in yr10 who I caught up with controlled assessment.

My form group (6th form) usually put me into the secret santa

Secondary teachers TEND not to expect gifts as we don't see them all the time, unlike Primary. I know TAs who work predominantly with one/two kids tend to get gifts from them

... but if you want to get us something

... chocolate booze boozy chocolate

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