Please or to access all these features

Secondary education

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

Should DD send card thanking school for offering her a scholarship?

37 replies

Daltec · 01/12/2014 10:05

Dd has just been offered a scholarship at an independent school for sixth form. We are absolutely over the moon as it is generous enough to allow us to send her there. As well as a formal letter of acceptance from me, should I get Dd to send a handwritten note or thank you card? We felt that all of the staff there were absolutely fantastic and did their best to put her at ease. But I don't want to go 'over the top' either. We have never had any experience of private schools, so don't know the etiquette!
Thanks in advance for your help.

OP posts:
peteneras · 01/12/2014 16:56

A 'thank you' is an expression of gratitude and a show of appreciation, however it is/was earned.

ZeroSomeGameThingy · 01/12/2014 16:45

peteneras Your fellow passengers were thanking the bus driver for carrying out his rôle with at least a minimum degree of efficiency. You were not thanking him for allowing you to ride on the bus.

peteneras · 01/12/2014 16:35

Really I don't understand why you asked the question at all, OP.

You (and your DD) wanted something - a scholarship/financial help - right? You applied for it and not without careful consideration by the school and fierce competition from other hopefuls, your application was granted. Is it not basic common courtesy to say, 'Thank you!'?

I was on a bus to work this morning (due to fog) and every stop that the driver makes to let passengers off, there was a 'Thank you' or 'Thank you, driver' coming from the disembarking passengers. And these are people paying heavily for their very expensive bus journeys too. . .

senua · 01/12/2014 12:20

I agree that it's not necessary. No-one did her any favours re the scholarship, she earned it herself.
You could add a line to your formal acceptance letter though, reporting that she's looking forward to it.

TheReluctantCountess · 01/12/2014 11:56

No. It's not necessary. She can show her thanks b y working bloody hard when she gets there.

IndridCold · 01/12/2014 11:49

No, I don't think so either. The best thanks your DD can give her teachers will be to work hard, play hard and make full use of the great opportunity she has earned.

ZeroSomeGameThingy · 01/12/2014 10:48

A thank you card does rather suggest that they have offered you a gift / done you a favour. Whereas the relationship of scholarship awarder and recipient is slightly different. They have made the award because your daughter's presence will benefit the school (as well as being of benefit to her.) What you suggest certainly wouldn't be wrong - but might be considered a little gauche. (Assuming they treat her well and don't "take advantage" of her schol status she can write and thank them herself when she leaves...)

For now a low key Christmas card from parent and child - briefly saying how much you're looking forward to her joining the school - would be fine.

Congratulations!

(I feel idiotic writing this down. I promise you I wouldn't be passing judgement if you hadn't asked. Blush )

FeelingOutnumbered · 01/12/2014 10:38

What about writing to her current school to thank them for preparing her well enough to get the scholarship? (Or not if you don't think they have done a good job!)

MehsMum · 01/12/2014 10:33

Probably not. If she really wants to, 5Children above has it about right.

5ChildrenAndIt · 01/12/2014 10:24

I think it's a nice idea! Nothing awkward - and not even essential to mention money - just a 'thank you for making me so welcome - I'm really looking forward to coming to the school'. We're talking about 15 year olds (no five year olds) - so quite reasonable that they would be thankful for opportunities.

SunnyBaudelaire · 01/12/2014 10:20

no that would be weird

titchy · 01/12/2014 10:16

Errr - no!