To be pissed off I have to buy things for summer fair?

[woodenrule]

I work in a school.

I have to attend a summer fair and run a stall.

AIBU to be a bit pissed off I have to buy these things? I spend enough on pens, glue etc.

Why do you have to? What sort of things do you mean?

what do you have to buy and why?

Usually it's the PTA who funds the costs of these events, and can raise quite a lot.

You should refuse and suggest alternatives - and ask for businesses for donations. It's usually little businesses and crafts things that pay to get a stall in the fair, not the teachers or staff!

It’s a senior school so no PTA.

It’s just sweets or something to give as prizes but to be honest I’m broke! The end of term is so expensive. Staff are leaving and I’ve had to contribute to their presents and flowers.

Another example of the extra things that teachers do to prop up the education system.

Ask pupils to bring in a jar filled with something. Could be actual jam, or craft bits, Lego bricks, sweets, etc. Run it as a tombola. Or ask for donations to a bottle tombola? We had everything from washing up liquid to squash to wine.

They won’t! None of them give a fuck

Senior schools have PTA albeit not as visible as primary. Why do the staff have to buy the prizes?

You shouldn’t have to buy anything and anything you do you should save receipts and deduct the cost from profit made

I just ran a book stall at ds’s school summer fayre. I asked for donations of unwanted books but I did have a 6 week donation period.

You don’t have to buy this yourself. Grow a back bone and say no! I simply don’t believe every member of staff in a secondary school is spending their own money on this.

I certainly believe they are trying to make it look like that so as many as they can guilt into doing it do so.

At a push I might buy a few cheap bits and claim my costs back before I gave the money in.

Cheek.

Well yeah - but if I say no it’s going to be a bit shit as we all have to run a stall.

I suppose I could have a game and nothing other than the glory of winning as the prize

Buy the sweets and take what they cost out of what you took on the stall. No way should have to be out of pocket.

I wouldnt be buying it. You dont HAVE to buy it - you can say no

Not a bad idea beetle

Wet sponges - 3 for a quid, lob them at a tied up teacher - that used to go down well. Virtually no outlay (bucket, sponges, all from the ££ shop)

Buy the sweets and take what they cost out of what you took on the stall

that

It's exactly what the PTA does, their members don't give - and shouldn't - spend their own cash.

Shame there's no PTA at your school, most secondary do. Ours just had a concert/fair evening thing last weekend, and made quite a lot.

Probably a bit late in the day never have ever found any school to be organised but why hasnt the school approached busineess for donations?

It’s still about £2 opinion - I know it’s a small amount but still things are REALLY tight at the moment!

you are a professional with agency. FGS use it

They might have. I don’t know. But teachers are all expected to have a stall.

Shame there's no PTA at your school, most secondary do very few secondaries have a thriving PA.

Our high school asked for donations to the tombola for the school fair-we sent in wine and chocolates-as did lots of other parents. Surely if you had sent out a news letter with a request some parents would have sent stuff in

Is the fair in your own time or school time? If it’s in your own time make sure you check very early next year what date it’s on and have an unavoidable event you have to attend. If the school wants to raise funds they need to do a different way, this isn’t the role of staff.
Definitely reclaim your outlay from the proceeds.

Directed time.

very few secondaries have a thriving PA

possible, but the few secondaries I've visited all seemed to have one and organise at least a couple of big events a year.

I have seen quite a few things run locally (think bingo night or summer ball) organised by one of the local secondary PTA.

I didn't realise it wasn't as widespread as the Primary PTAs.

My colleague is moving jobs, will get a gift. I have put hand in pocket to help with charity events at work-at a massive international company - it is not unique to teaching, it is part of being in a community of your workplace.

“The few secondaries I’ve visited”

Anyway it doesn’t matter if every single secondary school in the country has one: we don’t!