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?

You haven't explained anything. You have suggested that people send their children on school trips they have "genuine concerns" with because the school mention that they would like everyone to come. Which is clear negligence on the part of the parent.

Please don't see that as an invitation to continue to explain the inexplicable for another 4 pages btw.

I think we should all go back through the thread & read capsium's posts again, carefully, as she suggests.

Or...not.

Clam

So, schools should be down-playing trips, saying they're probably going to be pretty shit and that the kids would be better off staying at home? Would that be preferable, capsium, in order to pacify all these sensitive souls you've just invented?

clam no. Just inform concerning what happens on the trip and what the alternative is. Plan an attractive alternative (or at least not an obviously unattractive one). Leave the choice whether to go or not with the parent and child, unless asked to advise.

How man more times? THIS IS WHAT ALREADY HAPPENS.

The staff ratio for residentials is quite high cap, so there aren't as many available staff in school to entertain those left behind. They are usually in the minority and are easy to place in another class. In my experience, they generally enjoy the change of scene.

If parents wish their children to have a 'whole heap o' fun' on the week that their classmates are away, they are free to provide that fun after school.

can't believe I spent so much time reading your posts on this

I just don't understand a parent who sends their child on a non compulsory trip when they have concerns about their child attending said trip . The choice was always theirs. I go back to previous comment I made - who gets forced on to these things?

If that parent feels obliged to acquiesce to the non existent pressure to learn something, then why would a basic " thank you" kill them? Your child has had an experience they may not normally have and it is down to the teachers who have facilitated this. If the trip was a "bad thing" for your child, then that is down to you for not discussing the value for your child's specific needs with the school.

My favourite year 6 residential was one that got back at 2.55pm on a Sunday when and England world cup game kicked off at 3pm. I've NEVER had my class collected so promptly, nor had the parents stop gossiping and disappear home so quickly. So I got to go home extra quickly too - no waiting around for late parents that time :) :) :)

capsium are you on glue?

Shockers well wait then till Secondary. It's not long and ours managed to plan residential trips that not everybody was expected to go on with attractive alternative activities for those not going. More flexibility I suppose with greater numbers.

Chipping now that is not a nice, well mannered question. So now do you appreciate there can be circumstances where 'good' manners are somewhat challenging?

There are plenty of situations where good manners are somewhat challenging. Someone making up a bunch of crap on the internet is one of those.

Thanking someone for looking after your child is not.

HTH

scurry how do you think schools can support parents in raising their concerns? Do they have a professional responsibility to be amenable and approachable?

Not when it comes to thanking hard working people who have taken my child on holiday, no. Your position is bizarre and unsupportable.

Well, thanks all for sharing. It certainly has been enlightening.

Of course, any concern should be open to discussion. Heads of Department are accessible. Presumably you would have to sign some sort of consent? If no consent is forthcoming, then child doesn't go.

Good lord I knew being a teacher was challenging but dealing with parents with attitudes like yours would drive anyone to drink! In a large organisation dealing with lots of different needs schools can't be expected to pander to and tip toe around particularly sensitive adults who might take offence at residentials being offered to their children in not quite the optimum way they would like.

And we're not even sure that these sensitive adults exist. Capsium seems to be just imagining they might exist.

I've wasted too much time on this thread. Wish I could say it's been enlightening too.

I have three children cap. One is 27 and went skiing in his last three years of high school. He still loves skiing and has lived and worked in France for the two years since he left uni.

The other two are still in high school; DD at a special school. They both go on residentials, although DD's are more frequent and involve the whole class. DS has to choose and has done so wisely IMO so far.

But... we always say thank you!

What bollocks.

All trips are optional, and it's a bit unreasonable to be angry with teachers for saying they hope everyone will come!
It's unreasonable to expect them to lay on loads of other fun at school whilst they're on a trip
Everyone who isn't an idiot knows that school can't force a child on a trip.
Everyone who isn't rude understands that manners matter and it's nice to say thank you.
Noone who isn't downright peculiar goes around imagining situations where children are forced on awful trips you wouldn't be able to muster up a thank you at the end of.

You're still WRONG though Nit (can I call you Nit?) Because well, you just are! Children are cruelly forced on trips. Which are all crap. Teachers don't deserve thanking, because they enjoy themselves anyway. In fact it's an easy job.

The French trip I used to organise, in all seriousness, was cancelled because ONE parent (who had eight children) said he couldn't afford it and it was really really really unfair. Which I have no doubt he couldn't, on account of having fathered eight children.

Hester that's deplorable!! How utterly ridiculous!