Teacher gifts in secondary

[lonelyweather]

Is this normal? I used to organise the class gift every year in primary but now dc is in y7 and I wouldn’t know where to start,

do students/ parents still give Xmas gifts to teachers in secondary?

My children went to different secondary schools. For one, teacher gifts never came up. At the other's school, two parents from the tutor group sent emails asking if we wanted to contribute to a gift for the form tutor (and staff room) every Christmas and summer. I don't know if every tutor group did the same, but I did pay up.

I’m a secondary teacher, in my experience one or two kids will get you something, like a chocolate orange. Usually get a smattering of cards. It’s definitely not the norm!

For this reason I always make my DC at the very least give something to their tutor, and if they’ve got any favourite teachers I get them something too.

It’s not really a thing, however in the summer DD decided to get a bar of chocolate for her form teacher who was retiring and her science teacher who she felt had gone above and beyond to help her.

A heartfelt message in a card is always welcome. Plus a large box of biscuits for the staffroom ☺️ Most students have 15+ teachers so individual gifts aren't recommended.

Does your child want to take a card in for a teacher and are they the ones asking about a gift?

I know DD and a few other students chipped in to get a bottle of whiskey for a teacher they felt had gone above and beyond for them in their final year (a few already 18 so no dramas with buying). Can’t think of any other time and I have three kids. I did buy flowers for the lady in the office who was in change of first aid though every year as she regularly patched up sports mad and accident prone DS1 😂

No nothing.

I think @noblegiraffe forgot to say it is only normal for the maths teachers to be given gifts, not any others.

No

I did profusely thank my son's maths teacher for getting him through secondary school maths (he had the same teacher for 4 years), but I don't buy her any gifts. 😵‍💫

Are your kids at private school? Wouldn’t happen in any state school round here

Maths teachers? Maths teachers need a wheelbarrow to carry all their gifts to the car. I can't imagine how embarrassing it would be to commit the faux pas of not giving your maths teacher a Christmas present.

Did I mention the Lindt chocolate balls? They really are an excellent present choice, for anyone wondering.

Cards with messages are always nice to get. There is no need though. I find I get some boxes of chocs and a few bottles of booze. When exam groups leave individual students have got me the loveliest gifts most notably a class bought personalised cat bed!

Sorry I am off message. Yes always - Lindt balls and yes maths teachers only😂😂😂

No not at secondary school

I work in a secondary school. Quite a few kids buy a small gift for their form tutor, particularly Y7, particularly if they feel the tutor has done a lot to help them or they have a good relationship. Then the older ones will buy or even make something for particular teachers they really like usually Linked to their favourite subject and where they know the teacher well, sometimes an individual gift or from the class or à group or students. However that can be at the end of the year in the Summer more than at Christmas. Quite a few kids Write or Even make cards for their favourite teachers with absolutely Lovely messages inside, often in-jokes.

I know this thread is about secondary teachers - but I heard primary school teachers are fans of those as well, I also heard they like white toblerones but they don’t like celebrations.

I've bought a little thank you for Secondary teachers who've gone above and beyond, and a card with lots of specific appreciation.

I teach EYFS and we tend to get lots of presents but the cards which really acknowledge what we've done and how we've helped their child in specific ways, are what mean the most.

Not in my experience.
I made the mistake of getting my child's form tutor a gift voucher in Year 7, but had it returned to me as they are not allowed to accept them.
I felt rather stupid for not looking into their policy beforehand.

My daughter always took chocolates for the teachers she liked and when she left year 11 we sent wine and chocolates for all of her staff