Christmas presents for teachers?

[tulippa]

DD is in Year 7 - first in family to go to secondary school.

We were just wondering what the score is for teachers' Christmas presents at secondary? We don't intend to get all her subject teachers presents as that would be far too much but is it normal to get something for the form tutor?

not at secondary, IME.

Nope. I'm a secondary teacher and I get nothing in terms of presents. Barely even a card in the last couple of years.

I've been a secondary teacher for 15 years and maybe received 3 presents during that time? They're very rarely given.

My mum was a secondary teacher and used to come home with a bootful every year.

Nope.. none here either

If you want to could you take dc to the shop for big chocolate bars for whichever teachers they want to take stuff in for?

But not usual at all to give Xmas gifts.

Oh that's surprising. I'm a primary teacher and get loads! I guess you don't build up such a personal relationship with teachers at secondary.

Thanks for the advice - that's one fewer box of M+S biscuits I need to buy!

I've been given the odd card and chocolate from my tutor group kids, but it's really rare tbh. I know of some kids who might get their favourite teacher a present, even giant year 10 boys sometimes do, but again super rare.

A card is lovely.

I haven't bought secondary teachers xmas pressies, there's too many of them. DD has written thank you cards and bought a nice present at end of year for teachers who have been really supportive and encouraging to her in the year.

It is entirely usual for secondary maths teachers to be showered with expensive gifts and if you don't observe this popular custom you'll be tutted about in the staffroom.

A handy way to remember this is Christmaths presents

Oh shit yeah what giraffe said.

noblegiraffe

Bottle of wine for form tutor is nice. Subject teachers- cards.

I tend to get a few Christmas presents from my tutees and some parents send in large boxes of celebrations etc to share in the staff room. My own kids always give a present to whoever has coached the rugby team, their tutor of they like them and occasionally another random teacher who has been very helpful.
At secondary i would say summer presents are more common, but usually just from the leaving y11 and y13 students.

Would agree with Rosie. My tutor group (Y13) have generally clubbed together and got me a very nice and much appreciated gift when they've left. By that point I've always had them a year, sometimes two - and we've spent roughly 20 mins every morning together and built up a relationship. A lot of them I've also taught at some point in the school, sometimes for years. Sometimes up to A level. Rarely been given a Christmas present - and certainly don't expect it.

Chocolate would go down well...she mused wistfully. Or alcohol. But then I'm just facing hideous amounts of 'Mock' marking this week...

Sadly not

I have had the same form for 4 years now and I think I have had one box of chocs and a couple of cards.

It's fine tho, I don't expect anything!

FWIW DS1 and I bought something nice for a subect teacher who had especially helped him and motivated him in yr 11 - not his form tutor as it goes.

noblegiraffe

Meant to say DS1's gift was at the end of the summer after GCSEs, not Christmas.

My son will have the same form tutor through years 9-11 so I have tended to buy an end of year gift. Found out that dark rum was his tipple. That's what we got him!

In this week's newsletter it was stated:
As Christmas approaches we would like to remind parents that there is no expectation to give staff thank you gifts. However, if parents and / or children do wish to give a gift, then it should be of a modest nature. Governors have agreed a Gifts and Hospitality Policy which does not allow staff to accept gifts from any one family in any one year in excess of £50. Parents may join together to contribute to a group gift which has a collective value of greater than £50 provided no individual contribution is more than the £50 threshold.

£50????! parents have to be told not to spend more than £50?? Which school is this?

Arf at £50!

I've had the odd box of Maltesers here and there. All much appreciated!

£50?! Bloomin' heck!!!

I've had the odd small box of chocs, and a small bunch of flowers. Once had a full size bottle of good wine (£20 maybe?) but that was from a very special student 's mother who I'd done a lot for, and with.

I once had a form for five years that due to odd ratios in that particular year group was 17/21 male. When they left to go on study leave each of them lined up and shook my hand and said thank you, some of them said thank you for particular things that had happened. I treasure that memory. I took 16 children and escorted them to being young men. the four girls bought me teddy bears, chocolates and cards, lovely and kind but didn't touch me the same way

I know I had a gasp at the £50 too when I saw it. I wondered what people had been giving to the teachers as gifts to require such a policy and why

Noblegiraffe

DD has bought special presents for a very few teachers over the years - usually just some chocs or a bottle of wine or something. For teachers who have really gone the extra mile with her.

While I appreciate parents wanting to recognise teachers' work (or to keep up with the Jones), I find the inheritant bribing aspect appalling. Therefore no Christmas presents from us to my childrens' teachers.

I'm quite surprised parents do it at secondary level
If it's from the kids.. or a form group clubbing together ..then that's different.