What presents did you get, teachers?

[Cantyouseeimanaubergine]

Tell me the area of the country you’re in, and what you got for end of term presents from students.
My cousin is a teacher in a private primary school in Surrey and got a monogrammed leather briefcase as a group present!

Is this post written to highlight a potential North/South/ state/ independent / private divide ?

If not, why do you need to know which part of the country we are based in?

I'm a TA in a north west SEN school where some families really struggle financially. I received some lovely gifts, including chocolate, wine, stationery and face masks etc.

North Yorks.

We, as a staff, were ‘given’ books for our classroom.

I really don't mind that the kids benefit.

I do mind that our academy trust arranged this, sending parents details of a scheme where parents are asked to buy a book from a wish list and ‘donate’ it instead of teacher/TA gifts. A book plate, with the child's name is put in each donated book.

I would have preferred anonymised books, poor kids whose parents can't afford to buy one. The displayed books, complete with book plate, feel too much given that some families really can't afford to contribute. Even sadder is the family who did donate a book, when I know they can't afford for little one to regularly have breakfast.

I would have liked it even more if our academy trust CEO had agreed that we can have some new books for each classroom, paid for by the trust ( or maybe even paid for from his £130,000 wage!)

Yep. I gave my child’s teacher a £10 Amazon gift voucher (state primary, Cheshire). I was quite surprised about my cousin’s gift.

Oh this doesn’t seem right to me, I agree with the points you made. Any pressure on low income families is unacceptable.

We do class presents at ours, organised by the class representatives. DS's teacher got a voucher because she's moving to a different country. His TA got theatre tickets.
My class gave me a big box with Italian cooking ingredients. Pasta, sauces, herbs, etc.
I don't expect any presents, though. Individual presents aren't the done thing here. I work at an independent school abroad.

Independent school in Hampshire: from my tutor group I got a candle (stolen by teen straight away) and reed diffuser, a bottle of wine and a JL voucher. From my year 11 students I got some flower seed hearts and 4 hotel chocolates, from my year 13 I got a bottle of wine and 3 cards.

We don’t have a gift giving culture at the school, so it little personal thank yous. No grand organised present!

No present, no card, no thank you from parent/family, child or management. I also set my bar low...I was not expecting anything so no disappointment.

Secondary teacher in Hampshire... I had one handmade card from a thoughtful student. Other than that- nothing. Unless you count the discarded sweet wrappers left strewn across my classroom by the Yr 10 boys before they all - girls AND boys- barged out of the classroom, past me as I stood at the door wishing them a happy holiday, as if I wasn’t there. To add insult to injury, these were sweets I had bought them as an end of year treat...

Primary teacher in London (not a fancy part) - I got a lot of Ferrero Rocher, candles, hand cream etc, none of which I will use sadly. I did get a supermarket trolley token keyring which is useful. A few nice messages in cards which I will keep.

At my DC's school 15 minutes away, we all put £10 into a class gift - usually a voucher.

I had so many gifts! Chocolates, wine, candles, flasks...very thoughtful 💕

I got given one gift - It 'went missing' so I never got to take it home.
I'm more sad that there was a card that I didn't get to open.

Not to derail just wondering if anyone got thanks/gift/card from colleagues/management or gave to others?

Got a card and some sweets from SLT. I bought some chocolates and wine for my TA but she wasn't in school at the end of the week so will have to give it to her after the summer break.

That is a real act of kindness. For the first time ever I did not give or receive.

I always give a card to SLT and close colleagues. Small gift for close colleagues and anyone who has mentored me.

SW London state primary. Parents donate and the rep buys both T and TA each over £100 of JL vouchers and a bottle. There's a Christmas collection too!

I retired this year (31 years in the same school). I gave my Head a special present-I was the deputy-and to everyone else, I wrote them an individual thank you card which I tried to make very personal to them and popped a scratch card inside! Bought presents for the office and site staff too. I had an amazing send off with so many lovely cards and presents. Truly blessed.

Happy retirement @Foxymoxy68 !👏Nice to read about a happy ending to a long career.

I moved school this year and gift giving doesn't seem to be so much of a 'thing' (lots of PP but it's not even that - just isn't the culture) but from various children I got a bottle of Prosecco, some chocolates and a scented candle, plus a cute little bracelet and a lovely lovely card from one of my year 6s which said she was worried when they heard they were getting a new teacher but she's loved having me - that's one that I'll keep.

I bought a card and gift for my TA (G&T cans because she likes them, chocolates and a notebook that says 'think happy thoughts' on the front since that has been our mantra this year) and bought the head a book that I recommended to her. I received a token gift and a very heartfelt card from the head. I've lucked out with this job - the people and children are brilliant.

I do like the idea of a book wish list for the library instead of individual gifts, but not as a dictate from the trust and definitely anonymous otherwise it's yet another pressure on families.