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

Original poster

No proper farewell

29 replies

goldenlilliesdaffodillies · 15/12/2017 14:42

I have just had my last day at my current school after 20 years there as a teacher & parent.I handed my notice in the summer, so plenty of notice.
Parents and children have only been told today so there has been no official leaving event or thank you notes as teachers normally have. I don't want presents- just a verbal thank you or little note written by the children as I would do for other teachers. I have worked so hard at that school. The Head teacher (quite new) hasn't even bothered to walk over and say goodbye personally. I feel so upset.

OP posts:
Hillbillyhotel · 15/12/2017 14:48

This has really upset me. I'm so sorry that this happened to you,I think it's very disrespectful of the headteacher. Flowers

SuperPug · 15/12/2017 14:50

This is unacceptable. I can imagine that that time of year has meant that everyone has rushed to get home and less people normally leave at this point. Not excusing them. Have you asked any nicer colleagues about this?

saladdays66 · 15/12/2017 14:50

That is awful. Whenever a teacher has left our lower school there have been presentations, the kids have given them a pressie, the headteacher has spoken about them in assembly. That sounds terrible. Flowers

aliceinwanderland · 15/12/2017 14:50

No wonder you're upset. That is an appalling way to treat a member of staff. I am sure the parents would hAve said goodbye if they knew. Why were they only told today?

SavoyCabbage · 15/12/2017 14:51

Twenty years! I got a bunch of flowers and cards presented to me after a long term supply placement. I’m so sorry this has happened to you.

user1474652148 · 15/12/2017 15:00

I am sure the parents and children would have organised something had they known, but they didn't have the chance. I am so sorry and can't think why not... as for the head well that is disgraceful.
Try and celebrate the good times you had at the school, and know you made a huge and lasting difference to the children you taught and cared for. You deserved a better farewell and don't allow it to taint your entire career - what you achieved is bigger than a bunch of flowers and a card 💐

Lemonyknickers · 15/12/2017 15:02

Not only is it bad of your school but as a parent I would like my kids to know, and have a chance to thank, a leaving member of staff. We had a long serving member leave suddenly due to ill health so no time for anyone to say bye. They invited her back at a later end of term for a farewell and let everyone know she would be in on that day. I'm sorry OP.

Original poster
goldenlilliesdaffodillies · 15/12/2017 15:04

There was a celebration assembly just after I had my last class. I wasn't invited to it! There has been a huge amount of change at the school and loads of staff have left since his arrival. Whenever people have left I have been the one sorting out special leaving assemblies (and there have been many), but no-one thought to do one for me.

Apparently HT wanted to keep it low key and stop upset among the parents as it would give bad PR for the school. They didn't even advertise my job until a few weeks ago. It's such a horrible way to end my time there after all I have done for the school.

OP posts:
GlitterGlue · 15/12/2017 15:05

That’s really shitty. I bet the children will be very disappointed not to have had opportunity to send a card and wish you well.

Oblomov17 · 15/12/2017 15:06

What a disgrace. I am so sorry for you.

SuperPug · 15/12/2017 17:28

Cake and Flowers - a reflection on them, not you.

BringOnTheScience · 15/12/2017 17:39

Oh that absolutely stinks. I am appalled on your behalf.

Cake and Wine and Flowers for you from me.

redexpat · 15/12/2017 17:56

Thats really shitty. At least you know leaving is the right decision!

HardHatForTesco · 15/12/2017 17:59

I'm a chair of governors - reading this has really upset me! Two long-serving members of staff are leaving my school at Christmas and there are lots of celebrations going on for them. There will be a special assembly on the last day and they will be presented with gifts, cards and a letter of appreciation from the governing body.
The new head sounds like a disaster in the making!!!! It's so important for staff to feel appreciated and valued, this sends out a terrible message to everyone.

Abra1d · 15/12/2017 18:00

I think that’s awful, OP!

ParadiseCity · 15/12/2017 18:00

I'm guessing this is a private school and they have taken it as a great affront that you are leaving...

Quickchange1 · 15/12/2017 18:03

APPALLING! At our place you'd have had a ten min speech, a collection for a present and at least one leaving do! And that's how it should be. I would be tempted to write to the governor's tbh. Is be tempted to write to the local paper! I just think this Head sounds like the worst people person ever 😣 well done on 20 years and I'm sure you made a massive impact on so many

Saucery · 15/12/2017 18:05

That is absolutely awful and certainly not the norm in any school I have worked in or been a parent at.

AnneElliott · 15/12/2017 18:16

That's terrible! At DS' primary school they did special assembly's for long serving staff - the caretaker got one too!

And a particularly long serving teacher got a commendation from the pope! That took some organising I understand!

eastlondoner · 15/12/2017 18:51

It's so disrespectful isn't it. Something similar happened to me in a previous job and I called the boss to tell her how rude she was not to thank me for all my hard work (and mainly for covering her arse on numerous occasions). I swiftly got an apology and an OTT leaving gift Wink

MsJaneAusten · 15/12/2017 19:39

Gosh. I’ve never heard of this happening. The grapevine usually works so quickly that everyone knows you’re leaving before you want them to!

I’m sorry. I hope some parents get in touch once they realise. In the meantime, Cake and Flowers

MiaowTheCat · 15/12/2017 20:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HumphreyCobblers · 15/12/2017 20:21

Oh that is awful. So sorry that has happened to you. So unfair.

Original poster
goldenlilliesdaffodillies · 16/12/2017 10:01

Thanks for all your replies- they have really helped.

At least the school behaving like this has made me realise that I have done the right thing leaving. I am not the only one to have been treated like this recently.

I have a lovely new school to go to fortunately, so shall concentrate on that.

OP posts:
leccybill · 16/12/2017 11:29

I'm really sorry. This is really so shit.

I left a 18month long term supply post in summer. Got a gift from the
Head, leaving gifts from the dept and students and made a short speech.

Before that, left a post of 12 years. Made rather a long speech, Head asked me for a copy as it was all about legacy.

Both schools of over 1400 students and over 80 teachers with relatively high turnover, but I was still made to feel a bit important.

What kind of school was it? What about your immediate colleagues/workmates?
Again, I'm sorry. It's awful.