Is this normal for a School Nativity play?

[BoysBoysBoysAndMe]

Had a letter home today from the School to say the Receptions' Nativity will be on X day, maximum of 2 tickets per child, £2 per ticket?

I have to pay to see my DS1 in his Nativity? [shocked]

Not only that, but no cameras, phone cameras or camcorders are allowed to be used. If we want a picture of him as a King they will take the photo and I have to pay £1 for it!

Now, before I'm flamed, I'm going to pay. It is only £5 for the lot and it's for School Funds, which I understand. But couldn't they have just asked for a contribution on the day?

Is it normal practice? AIBU? I know I sound like a skinflint - I'm not

Its not normal at the dc's school howeber:

Many primary teachers are not veryt musically/drama minded and so to make life easier for them (after all the nativity is just another thing they have to fit in amongst everything else) they often buy in a specially written play. the likes of whoops a daisy angel.

These cost anything from £15-£40 even more for junior age ones sometimes and are subject to copyright restrictions. You often have to pay extra for the video licence.

At our drama classes we ban photos during the performance itself as it is VERY distracting but bring the children back on at the end for a photo call.

We normally pay £1 per but this year only key stage one are doing a production so no Xmas show in our family Also we have the no photos or video thing too.

£2 per adult for the first time ever this year.

2 ds's in separate performances, and I think DH is coming so that's £8, add on the cost of 2 fancy dress outfits and it's not cheap!

sounds normal to me the school is getting like an extra bill to pay at my daughters school. there always asking for money.

Er..what's the difference between a boy angel outfit and a girl angel outfit?
To my mind it's just a long white robe and a halo?

The difference is between the fancy, sparkly, girly angel dress that I bought from Asda for DD1 a few years ago (which DS would totally refuse to wear) and the long white robe/tunic DS is going to wear this year. Unfortunately I'm not great at sewing/creating nativity costumes, which is why I bought the dress, but it definitely wouldn't suit a boy!!!

For the first time this year my DDs school is asking for 1 pound per ticket, max 2 tickets per child. There are 2 performances so 4 people can get to see the show and they are putting on a free creche during the afternoon shows.

This is to fund the Christmas pantomime the school get in near the end of term, as well as the Christmas party.

I think it's also to weed out the child's mum's hairdresser's next-door-neighbour's cousin coming too - the hall isn't huge and last year was a bit of a free for all with every man and his dog packed in.

They also say no photos as there are quite a few children in the school that can't be photographed but offer free pictures taken by the school.

Boys at DDs school wear white shorts/T-shirt/halo/wings for the angels.
Girls wear the biggest, baddest, net-skirted, glittery, floor length angel dresses (plus wings and halo).

I feel a but bad for the boys.

I've never had to pay, unlimited amount of tickets so you can bring grandparents if you like (really, no-one else is likely to want to go if you think about it!). Costumes have always been provided although might have to supply for example, white tights or a plain t shirt. Coffee and biscuits or even mulled wine are generally given to parents. Nobody minds small siblings as the parents themselves are good about keeping them quiet (I took DD2 as a baby and just fed her throughout to keep her quiet ;-))

Non-flash photography and videoing are encouraged by parents. Think we all have to sign something at the start of the year or whatever to give permission for that...? There have also in the past been more posed photos taken by staff at rehearsals which parents can buy for £1 if they like.

We pay £1 per ticket and it's 1st come 1st served for tickets as there is a set number. Not sure about the photography bit I do understand it.

Sometimes there are very good reasons for no photography i.e a child may be adopted or fostered and being protected from harm. An apparently innocent photo of another child, but including protected child could lead to potentially difficult situations if show to the 'wrong' person.

It is definitely like having another bill.

Dinner Money + School fund is £10 per week. Now DS1 is 5 I have to pay for his milk too.

Plus, trips, uniforms replacements, replacing lost PE kit, Nativity tickets + raffles, costumes, money and costumes for any fundraising days at school - it costs a frigging fortune!

God, my Dad used to pay lunch money and 10p a week for baking, and 10p for School Fund for me. That was it!

Part and parcel I suppose.

Nah! Angel outfit-unisex: Dad's old shirt on backwards with the collar cut off, ties round the middle with dressing gown cord, tinsel halo.
Old school

She would have really loved me if I'd stuck her in a shirt, tied tinsel round her waist and stood her next to all the 'sparkly angels'!!!!

I never had to pay to see any of my DCs in a nativity play

Not read while thread.... So sorry if repeating what others say...

Both the school i work in and the school my children go to charge for tkts, so ime completely normal. I think it is reasonable especially in these days of very tight school budgets- it is a good money spinner for the school. Filming restrictions are, ime, due to copyright laws of the bought in play....

Not normal here.

We don't have to pay and we are allowed to take cameras, video cameras etc

We have to pay, I must say I am annoyed, it is a faith school and I feel to charge for the nativity goes against the Christian ethos. Is nothing sacred, not even the christmas story???

Our school charge (£2 per ticket)

However, the school provide all costumes and during the rest of the year all trips (apart from residentials) are free of charge (partly paid for by the money raised at the Christmas Play)

As someone else said the actual plays cost money - in my school each class is doing a play, only one class is recycling an old play so the scripts/CDs have already cost more than £100 in total

Yes pretty normal, our pre-school is charging £2 per ticket, max of 2 tickets, and they haven't said 'No photos/videos' but they have advised that there will be a DVD available to buy so best to enjoy watching it rather than take pictures.

I really don't mind the cost, the school needs to raise funds somehow, and funds raised will benefit my children.

Our nursery concert is free, but ticketed to prevent overcrowding. But I did have to shell out for the costume. I am looking forward to it - DS (Santa!) told me after the dress rehearsal yesterday with glee that his best friend is his little Helper (an Elf).

No idea about cameras though. Shall check later at collection.

I think he is going to be wearing his Santa suit all Christmas...

Is there anyone concerned about having to pay to attend school play willing to be quoted in an article. If so please email [email protected] as soon as possible.
Thank you.

The camera rule is there to protect any vulnerable children. The rationale is that if a parent records the event and puts pics/videos on (say) youtube/facebook, a vulnerable child could be traced with potentially disastrous consequences.

Parents of some children in the Nativity may have requested anonymity. In this case, videos and photos will be totally banned.

Our school nativity is free. 2 performances, 2 tickets per family per performance max. We haven't been asked to provide costumes. The school serves an area of deprivation so they make their money by selling drinks, mince pies and photos afterwards. That way those families who can't afford to pay can still see the performance, which is as it should be.

I can remember when the others were at primary there were a couple of families who always used to arrive at events with both sets of grandparents, aunties, uncles, younger children.

I think its disgusting and morally corrupt .