To ask how much to give for teachers Christmas collection

[foxyloxy78]

What's a reasonable amount for a teacher and two assistants?

Oh wow. So people hand over £20 happily to strangers!!
It's not quite like that. We're acquainted with them and it is arranged in an online group (s) we all belong to, the amount given tallies with the gifts, gifts which are agreed upon beforehand.

I’m really suprised that local authorities allow their employees to accept large cash gifts from parents.

I’ve never heard of this at any school in our area.

I’ve always given small gifts of a seasonal nature and of modest monetary value, which are exempt from most council policies.

If the children like a teacher, I encourage them to write a personal note inside the card. Recently I met one of the retired teachers from my kids primary school. She asked about my DD who is now at uni and said that she still has the card that DD sent her ( about 10 years ago ).

I also write to the head teacher when a teacher has been especially helpful. Good and hardworking teachers need all the support and encouragement they can get.

And your children will be much happier as adults if they get in the habit of gratitude and showing appreciation.

It’s harder with teenagers so best to start when they are children.

I think I would be less happy with the school organising a collection for staff.

I find mumsnet very odd sometimes. Surely if you have a child (or more) at primary, you at least know some of their classmates' parents through playground chat, school events, parties?
They are not really random strangers, are they?
In the same way that I give a Christmas tip/bonus to my hairdresser, window cleaner etc - it's just a token gesture to a person who cares for and nurtures my child for 6.5 hours a day, every day (and buys a hell of a lot of resources out of her own wages). I don't get the outrage over it.

Nothing. I don't do teacher presents every year, but did when my two left school in year 6. I send a card with thanks. I see some parents going in absolutely laden with gifts!

I always think £1 per child is plenty.

I'm sure no school in the land would ever organise a collection for staff.

They are not really random strangers, are they?

Actually they are. They have a kid in my kids class. That's all. Even if I did 'know' them through playground chat that still doesn't mean I'm going to hand over my hard earned because they ask me to!

I'm sure no school in the land would ever organise a collection for staff.

I agree.

*I'm sure no school in the land would ever organise a collection for staff.

I agree*

A previous poster said their school does.

Don't talk rot, Crumbs - clearly you've never been near the prestigious schools in your life £250 each?! As if! Not in the UK, though expats certainly tell tales.

At our leafy rural state primary the usual donation is £5 and not everyone takes part.

One of the mums last year organised the collection - two teachers (job share) and a classroom assistant. We each put in £10. This year it's just one teacher and no assistant, so it's £5.

I'm happy to contribute to the collection, saves me hassle. Organsing mum usually gets a token gift like some chocolates and vouchers with the rest.

I agree MrsHathaway, £250.00 is ludicrous. Some parents/children give individual gifts which can be extravagant, but parents pooling such a large amount per person just would not happen.

why do teachers need christmas presents?

i understand maybe a small token present at the end of the school year, but not christmas. i’m sure they’ll be getting presents from their own families or colleagues.

I think it just looks cringey tbh.

Does it look cringey that I write a nice card and make a small gift for the 32 children in my class? Or is it just a nice thing to do, because I care about them a hell of a lot, they've worked bloody hard, and you know, it's Christmas? Goodwill to all men etc.

I'm sure no school in the land would ever organise a collection for staff.
I agree
A previous poster said their school does.

Can't find any poster on the thread saying that their school organise a collection.

There is a post which begins "my school" and expresses confusion "that the head is involved" but I think the poster actually meant "my school community" rather than "my school administration" and the confusion about the HT is that the HT receives a gift rather than soliciting one.

*They are not really random strangers, are they?

Actually they are. They have a kid in my kids class. That's all. Even if I did 'know' them through playground chat that still doesn't mean I'm going to hand over my hard earned because they ask me to!*

Well, they live in your community, they use the same shops and amenities as you. I'm sure if they were thieves and desperate for money, pretending to organise a class collection and then pocketing the money is not the cleverest way to go about it.
Our teachers normally put a thank you in the next newsletter or on Facebook anyway.

Can't find any poster on the thread saying that their school organise a collection.
Are you asking me to find that post for you? Or saying I'm mistaken Here you are:

"Our school does a collection per class. Suggested donation is £10 per child which is then split between the teacher, TA, support staff and the head. I find it a bit strange the head is involved myself."

As a teacher I've never had a collection done or heard of it in any of the schools I've worked in.

As a private school child, they weren't done then either.

Cross posted, croise. I think the post is easily misread but doesn't actually mean the teachers collect for themselves.

Croise MrsHathaway has explained above.

Only the poster who wrote can clarify that, Hathaway. It says 'Our school does a collection per class"

MrsHathaway isn't the author of the post, leccy.

Really, Vallerie?

I remember bringing in a small plant or candle when I was at school, and in all schools I've worked in over the last 15 years all over the north west, I've seen it.