Do parents thank you after residentials?

[DoctorLawn]

I've been thinking about this, since returning from a residential last Friday.

Three parents thanked me.

I'm not expecting all out gratitude, but I was quite taken aback by our return in general. They all stood in the path to the main school entrance, two parents and a childminder helped us get the luggage off the coach while the rest watched, and nobody moved aside without being asked.

It's a very upper middle class school - wondering if that means the parents are much more 'entitled' feeling than others?

I think you have managed to totally derail this thread with an extreme and uncommon concern.
In general terms is it a good thing to thank someone (teacher or not) for going above and beyond the call of duty for your child? The answer has got to be yes, at least in my book. And it makes no difference whether that show of tanks comes from the adult or the child. Both wouldn't hurt, to be honest but anyway. No, it's not "expected" or demanded (especially not these days) but it's always gratefully received.

X post, Hak But I tend to have sympathy for most people, when they make a mistake. Is that very bad or good, in your eyes?

clam noted. Was just saying I can envisage circumstances why thanks is not forthcoming and was challenged.

If my children went anywhere where they were being supervised and entertained by others, I would expect them to thank the people involved. I would thank them too. Also, I would ask if they needed any help.

Manners cost nowt.

Shockers I hope your good manners are never put to the test...

You can envisage them capsium, but you won't tell us what they are.

And no, I would not have sympathy for anyone who sent their child on a school trip they had "genuine concerns" about. Particularly if they were "pressurised" into it by somebody saying "We would like everyone to come- we think it will be fun" [Hmm]

I always say thanks and make dd say thanks as well.

I appreciate the fact the teachers have given up their evenings/nights/home life for the duration.

Capsium is there really any need for all these dark tones of foreboding when someone says something as in controversial as 'I like to say thank you: it's good manners'. Yes, we all hope nothing ever happens which means anyone is in a position where they simply can't be polite any more. But there's no need for all these dark inferences on the subject of basic politeness.

Cap, I also take children on residentials with school. I think they are fantastic opportunities and I have seen talents and character traits in children that aren't always visible in the classroom environment.

I always come back exhausted, but it's a privilege to be able to take them. I always thank the children for their wonderful participation and behaviour (and have never had cause not to), and give them a little framed photo of them on the trip.

We do have lots of parents and children that say thank you too.

I really love my school .

Polite to thank. Teachers have always been great on residentials that Ds's have been on . Took lots of photos and did a highly entertaining blog for parents each night while away with photos of each days activities for last trip in Primary which was for 5 nights to Germany.

None seemed in any hurry to get away from airport on Friday night, happy to chat and most parents that I saw thanked them.

Rather them than me having to look after 40 children, morning, noon and night.

Nit the 'dark tones' are just by way of explanation, as to why someone might not feel thankful or why they might not act in perfect politeness. I think a lot sensitivity is required to act with complete professionalism as a teacher.

Shockers yes residential trips can be good when everything works out and is well (sensitively) organised.

If we assume (very generously) that the number of parents (and children) who were coerced into a trip was under 20% of the total, it doesn't explain why only a handful of the other 80% say "thank you". That's based on my experience of taking D of E trips out of school time.

As for trips providing a break from planning and marking, in secondary you generally wouldn't be teaching the children on the trip for the whole day so have to set cover and mark work. But longer trips are generally outside school time anyway, do its just a break from a relaxing weekend or school holidays.

I seem to remember the odd lecture at school in assembly if a cohort of pupils didn't thank the staff after a trip. If the parents don't teach their children manners the it is right that the school step in and make the expectation clear.

I always give out extra housepoints for children who say thank you. Gave out even more today, in light of this thread.

Teachers get paid. Why do they expect weeping gratitude. And when did 'residentials' creep into fashion?

Teachers are not paid for the hours of the residential and there is no contractual obligation to run one. Those that do give up seeing their own children expressly to look after other people's out of the kindness of their hearts, and a thank you is all they require. That's it.

Residentials became necessary when outdoor and adventurous activities became part of the curriculum - much harder to do justice to on a day visit.

Pico maybe they all were dissatisfied for one reason or another, if the school coerces, or expresses a preference in anyway, regarding everyone's full participation.

Some may not have particularly felt the trip was that worthwhile, they might easily be able to provide similar opportunities themselves and want the school to concentrate more on the academic teaching, which they are less qualified in some areas to provide.

Some may not feel their child is emotionally ready for time away from their families.

Some may struggle with the cost, and be under the threshold for financial help, which means the rest of the family have to go without the holiday they want.

Who has said they expect weeping gratitude?

Is this thread still running? Are people maintaining that a quick "thank you" to the people who have looked after their child is a controversial thing?

Capsium- you would have to be pretty bloody feeble to feel pressurised by the school expressing a preference that they all go!!!!!

You know what I think? I think you didn't want your child to go on a trip, and your child did, and over rode you and you have decided it's because the school pressurised your child. Because otherwise why would your child not go along with what you wanted.

Hester yes. And it is more that, not saying thank you, is not particularly controversial or shocking.

Hak you guessed wrong.

Not saying thank you is bloody rude.

People who don't say thank you have no manners.

There.

And yes I am aware that you have been on the thread a lot with some fairly er... unusual gripes.

Not saying thank you is rude. If you didn't want the kid to go to the extent that you can't thank the staff, you shouldn't have let the kid go. Frankly.

Wow, triple cross post of accord!

Not saying thank you is as controversial and shocking as any other blatant bad manners. Can see that sometimes when a coach gets back at 2am and there's general hubbub, sometimes it doesn't get said. But consciously and deliberately deciding not to say it: rude.