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Primary education

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Original poster

Teacher collection ettiquette

17 replies

2cats2many · 13/07/2012 13:46

Against my better judgement, I've been railroaded persuaded to do the end of term collection for my DDs teacher. She's in reception and I've never had to do one of these before.

Most have contributed, but some parents haven't (which is absolutely fine in my book).

My question is, on the Thank you card do I just write the names of the children whose parent's have contributed, or do I put something like: 'From all the children in class x'?

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MrsBrollyhook · 13/07/2012 13:49

I'll be watching this one with interest as I'm in exactly the same position. I was leaning towards the option of putting on the names of those who contributed.

SunflowersSmile · 13/07/2012 14:22

Much love from class x?

Taffeta · 13/07/2012 14:23

We have always just given the card to sign to the people that have contributed.

As long as everyone has been asked, this is fair and reasonable.

merrymonsters · 13/07/2012 16:08

I'm only going to put the names of people who contributed.

Some people like to do their own presents.

4lovelychildren · 13/07/2012 16:17

We got stickers for the children to write on which were given back to the collector with money.

LadySucre · 13/07/2012 16:19

Just put from class x as someone else said. Otherwise looks nit picky to the teacher as in we gave but they didn't.

Original poster

2cats2many · 14/07/2012 08:37

I'm never bloody doing this again. Just a few kids didn't contribute and I know for a fact that one of them doesn't have a brass farthing. I feel so mean leaving them off the card. It seems like such a shit thing to do. But I'm being advised by mums at the school who do these things that that's the way the cookie crumbles and they were asked to contribute, etc.

I suppose they might be doing their own thing. Or maybe they really don't believe in end of term presents for the teacher, or whatever.

Its my first year at the school and I don't want to upset a whole load of people by not following procedure, but it just feels like a crappy thing to do. Its different if half the class didn't give anything, but just to leave a couple out...

OP posts:

sparkles281 · 14/07/2012 08:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Hulababy · 14/07/2012 08:59

Think on our class collections ones we've just put from all the girls and parents in class x. That's regardless of who has and hasn't contributed - more hassle than its worth to just list specific names.

shortie3 · 14/07/2012 09:07

We asked parents to sign and contribute, if they wanted. All children were asked to make a personal card so they had a lasting token to give their teacher.

Sparklingbrook · 14/07/2012 09:13

I think it is really petty to only get the children whose parents contributed to sign the card. It punishes the children whose parents can't afford to contribute. This big card goes round and bypasses certain kids?

I think these collections create more trouble than they are worth TBH.

Original poster

2cats2many · 14/07/2012 09:27

I agree Sparkling.

OP posts:

Sparklingbrook · 14/07/2012 09:32

When DS1 was in a mixed Year 3/4 class in Year 4 the year 3 Mums had a collection for the teacher but didn't ask the Year 4 Mums to contribute. Bizarre.

TheBuskersDog · 14/07/2012 09:56

When did collections become so popular? My youngest son is in year 10 so only left primary four years ago and this never happened. I started working in the same school just over two years ago and it seems to be happening at the lower end of the school, I don't know if it will carry on or it it's more a Foundation stage/year 1 thing.

Whilst I understand some people thinking it means the teachers get a more substantial gift, I think it takes away the personal gesture of appreciation that an individual gift/card shows.

Also it is as if there is an expectation of a present and some people may feel obliged to contribute so that others don't judge them.

spammertime · 14/07/2012 10:06

We are only putting the names of the children who contributed as some people preferred to do their own individual gifts. BUT we also made it very clear that it was whatever people wanted or could afford to contribute - for some people that was £2, others £20. I hope noone felt excluded.

Of course it's not necessary to give teachers gifts, but if you've been lucky enough to have an amazing teacher for your child then it's a nice thing to do I think. I don't buy into this "we don't do it for anyone else" - well actually we do, eg I gave the midwives biscuits when my son was born, my mum always gives her lovely postman something at Christmas. No it shouldn't be compulsory but it can be nice.

ohnevermind · 14/07/2012 10:19

I'm a teacher and I send a thank you note to any child who gives a gift. It might embarrass parents if they received a thank you card but hadn't contributed. Also I find that some parents just prefer to do their own thing and buy an individual present.

I don't expect presents at all by the way.

Sparklingbrook · 14/07/2012 10:26

I think a letter of thanks to the teacher means more than chocolate, scented candles or yet another 'World's Best Teacher' mug, picture frame etc. Or an OTT bouquet of flowers.

At First School the Alphamummys would try and outdo each other in the OTT gift stakes.

I noticed in Clintons there was a range of 'Keep Calm and Carry on Teaching' stuff.

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