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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.

Original poster

Schools and money

87 replies

fattt · 28/09/2019 12:53

I really need advice.

I work in a school that prides itself on pastoral care and it has regular tutor time competitions.

We never win but the thing is I can't afford to. They involve dressing up or having mascots or house colours - our house is red, I own nothing red but apparently I have to wear red on Monday. Payday isn't until Monday either.

I know it sounds stupid but it's really shit.

OP posts:
Schoolscool1 · 28/09/2019 12:54

Can’t you call a friend/sister/cousin and borrow a red top??

Original poster
fattt · 28/09/2019 12:55

Erm, no!

OP posts:
sleepismysuperpower1 · 28/09/2019 12:57

could you get some cheap red face paint (if you do a quick google you can get some for around a pound), and then paint your cheeks/draw the first letter of your house on each cheek? or have a look in a charity shop and see if they have a red jumper (local ones near me have clothing for under £5) x

Original poster
fattt · 28/09/2019 12:58

I don't even have £5. Seriously, we are on a very tight budget at the moment. But that's not the point. I shouldn't have to buy red face paint or a red jumper. And it will be something else next week and the week after.

OP posts:
sleepismysuperpower1 · 28/09/2019 13:01

is this not an all-year thing? or does the theme change every week? you mentioned a mascot, could you ask the kids in your class whether they have a red cuddly toy to become the mascot?

OhioOhioOhio · 28/09/2019 13:01

You just have to pretend to forget.

Original poster
fattt · 28/09/2019 13:03

Not a theme. We have Things we have to Do to prove we are a Team or Creative or Kind. These invariably involve spending money somewhere along the line. Whether that's buying a red jumper or buying colouring pencils or card or something. Have to be vague.

It probably does work out over a year as maybe £30 which isn't so bad but I can't really afford it!

OP posts:
Original poster
fattt · 28/09/2019 13:03

It's part of my PM believe it or not ohio.

OP posts:
fedup21 · 28/09/2019 13:04

Erm, no!

Why not?

If Red is your house colour, I’d go to a charity shop or eBay and get a red top-you’ll get plenty of wear out of it.

Are you the form teacher? Do the kids in your form do the dressing up thing or are they not doing it because you aren’t either?

Schoolscool1 · 28/09/2019 13:04

@fattt why not though, because you have no one or because you don’t want to ask? I don’t wear red so I would be in the same position. My mum however dues wear red so I would just borrow one of hers. I also have a few cousins nearby so I might ask them. It’s a plausible suggestion

Original poster
fattt · 28/09/2019 13:05

Clues in the username Wink

OP posts:
Original poster
fattt · 28/09/2019 13:05

Charity shops and eBay cost money. Fat has no money!

OP posts:
sleepismysuperpower1 · 28/09/2019 13:07

maybe its worth talking to the head of year then, and explaining that you don't think its fair to have to keep forking out for new things?

Original poster
fattt · 28/09/2019 13:08

It would have to be SLT. Thing is it must be a pain in the arse for the kids too and it's not a wealthy area.

OP posts:
AnneLovesGilbert · 28/09/2019 13:09

What advice do you want? Find a way to do it don’t do it. What can anyone here help you with?

Schoolscool1 · 28/09/2019 13:09

Ok then, I don’t know OP. Could you use some red fabric/paper/ paint from school to do something with??

sleepismysuperpower1 · 28/09/2019 13:11

i would bring that up then, if you don't think the kids can afford it either. I'm not sure what else to suggest really, sorry OP

Grasspigeons · 28/09/2019 13:11

Make a red paper hat out of the schools resources?

I too think this sort of thing is annoying/unfair. I'm in the office at a school. I HAD to wear pyjamas one day so, not owning anything suitable as day wear in an office where i get delievery drivers, taxi drivers etc congregating i had to buy them. I cried as we were so broke.

sleepismysuperpower1 · 28/09/2019 13:12

oh yes, as PP said maybe you could make a kind of crown out of red paper?

StrongTea · 28/09/2019 13:12

Red flower in hair?

Dolallytats · 28/09/2019 13:13

i Know how you feel. World book day, Christmas jumper day, red nose day etc. Now we have a £45 school trip with less a month to pay it.
It might only be a few pounds here and there, but when you have a very limited budget, even this is impossible to find.

Talk to the headFlowers

Original poster
fattt · 28/09/2019 13:14

I'm asking a question about school in the staffroom anne, don't tell me where I can post Hmm

Im not asking about the red per se.

What I need is twofold. My school is nuts. I sometimes need reminding of that fact. I also need advice on how I can raise this, given being a good little form tutor is part of my PM.

OP posts:
Original poster
fattt · 28/09/2019 13:15

It's awful grass, we have had wear something spotty once. Wtf?

OP posts:
Grasspigeons · 28/09/2019 13:18

Can you try a 'climate change' tactic as your discussion starter. Good luck with it

PastTheGin · 28/09/2019 13:19

Turn to the other departments in school or parent donations!
I am sure your textile department will have some red fabric scraps or wool, spend firm time making red flower badges that come out every “wear something red” day.
Art will have lots of scrap paper and be full of ideas, too.
I never spend my own money in school stuff but always end up with something that works somehow. Embrace the DIY and show the kids that it’s not a matter of spending money.
Do you have a local Freecycle group? That might be worth joining, too.