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The staffroom

Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

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Original poster

Presents amongst staff?

20 replies

LucasNorthsTwiglets · 19/07/2017 07:47

Is it common for TAs to buy each other presents at the end of the year? Or for the TA to buy their teacher a present?

OP posts:

ChickenBhuna · 19/07/2017 07:58

It happens , but at my place it's more of a tin of sweets and a card for all staff on the table type situation.

It gets really expensive otherwise.

NotYoda · 19/07/2017 18:04

I buy my teacher a present and vice versa. This year it's wine for her and some stationery for "us"

BackforGood · 19/07/2017 18:22

Bit mixed. Sometimes when you've worked closely with someone over a year, then a small bunch of flowers or something that is a bit amusing that you know they will 'get' is nice. That said, I've worked FAR more years where it doesn't happen than the odd occasion where it does.

DrMadelineMaxwell · 19/07/2017 20:35

I buy my TA a gift but don't expect one in return.

elephantoverthehill · 19/07/2017 22:53

In my department I 'gifted' courgettes and cucumbers (from the allotment). We have been given flower plants by another member of the department, we keep it simple!

BringOnTheScience · 20/07/2017 18:27

I always used to get something for my TAs and my immediate colleagues (same year group) would all exchange wine :-)

Bubblysqueak · 20/07/2017 18:28

I always used to buy my TA a gift as she always went above and beyond going me every day.

goingmadinthecountry · 20/07/2017 21:30

The same here - buy presents (nice wine) for my two 1 to 1 TAs. Never expect anything back - it's a small token of my heartfelt thank you for all they do. They keep me normal.

MrsKCastle · 20/07/2017 21:38

Oh, my school goes completely overboard on gifts... I couldn't believe it my first Christmas. I've always bought my TA a small thanks you, but here we have:
gifts from teacher to class
gifts from TA to class
gifts from mid-day assistant to class
gifts from TA to teacher

A couple of times I have had small gifts from TAs who I have never even worked with directly, they just got a gift for everyone (e.g. small box of chocs).

It's a nightmare trying to work out who I should buy for and how expensive a gift is considered appropriate. Especially as I have about 6 different TAs.

Whileweareonthesubject · 20/07/2017 22:12

At our school it's a case of buy or don't buy. I usually buy something for the teacher in my year group and this year there were a couple of lsas in the year group who helped spread the load for me (I'm the year group ta). I've chosen some gifts that reflect the recipients and which express my gratitude for the fact that they all treat tas as valued members of the team. As a support staff we buy every child in the school something edible at the end of term.

LockedOutOfMN · 21/07/2017 13:23

Our school doesn't have TAs. On the whole, we don't seem to exchange gifts unless someone's leaving, in which case we do a collection among all staff.

I'm Head of Year 11 and put on a breakfast for the Year 11 tutors (we had no students in on penultimate day of term as their public exams. had finally finished!) Just nice coffee, orange juice, pastries and fruit. The Head of Year 10 and I bought a little gift for our immediate boss - the three of us work as a team - and she did the same for us.

We had a member of staff leaving in our department and took him out for lunch between the other 8 of us. We were also treated to lunch by our HOD which was lovely.

Idontmeanto · 21/07/2017 20:30

I bought presents for my cleaner and lab technician, and sent a tin of biscuits up to the sen department as there are too many TAs I work with to do individual presents, but they are fantastic. I don't expect a present in return.

soimpressed · 21/07/2017 22:06

My school also goes way overboard with presents. As well as buying for the children, I buy for all TAs in the class, my PPA cover teacher, the teacher from the parallel class, office staff, MDS, caretaker and cleaner. This happens every term! Its exhausting just buying it all not to mention the cost.

Bourbonbiccies · 21/07/2017 22:12

I work in the school office and work so hard to support the teaching staff and parents. Cards and small gifts or even a note of thanks are very very much appreciated.

Doomhutch · 22/07/2017 09:13

I (teacher) got something for my TA, but I wouldn't expect her to get anything for me as she's the one who's always saving my life! This year the TA for our year was leaving to do her PGCE, so we all clubbed together and got her some bits.

I certainly didn't get anything for the children. We had a DVD afternoon and I let them sit where they wanted, that's my limit!

Beautifullymixed · 22/07/2017 09:16

I'm a TA and a parent in the school.
I brought a present for my class, for my teacher and also for my son's teacher and two TAs.
It does get expensive, but I spread it out, and buy in June. My class absolutely swamped me in chocolates, flowers, gifts and cards with messages that made me cry!
My teacher also got me gifts, and wrote beautiful thank you card/messages.
It's been a hard year!

trinity0097 · 28/07/2017 17:02

I got a £50 John Lewis voucher from my Head - does that count?! 😀

Don't feel quite so bad buying expensive ice-cream in Waitrose now (since you can spend it there too!)

Balfe · 28/07/2017 18:06

I got a £50 John Lewis voucher from my Head - does that count?!

No way. Were you leaving? Did she do that for everyone?

It gets totally overdone imo- stage partners, HTs, children, cleaners... ufff.

I only buy for my TA if they are with me the majority of the week.

trinity0097 · 28/07/2017 18:54

I doubt she did it for everyone. She got the business manager a gift, but think it was a box of nice chocolates and wine. I'm her deputy and we just got through a tough inspection and survived our first year together. Totally wasn't expecting it!

thepatchworkcat · 28/07/2017 19:03

Teachers buy for TAs at my school. And then some teachers buy for me as I'm a cover teacher and don't get much from the children, whereas they are all drowning in wine and chocolate! One TA used to get me something back when I was a class teacher but that doesn't seem to be standard. Head buys us all a drink.

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