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Anglesey school plea not to buy staff Christmas gifts | Anglesey school plea not to buy staff Christmas gifts |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A school has asked parents not to buy Christmas presents for teachers in a bid to relieve pressure on families and support those in need. | A school has asked parents not to buy Christmas presents for teachers in a bid to relieve pressure on families and support those in need. |
Ysgol Gymuned Rhosybol on Anglesey asked parents who wanted to give gifts to donate to charity instead. | Ysgol Gymuned Rhosybol on Anglesey asked parents who wanted to give gifts to donate to charity instead. |
One parent said teachers she knew would be "mortified" if parents felt pressured to buy presents they could not afford. | One parent said teachers she knew would be "mortified" if parents felt pressured to buy presents they could not afford. |
And another described the move as "quite a relief". | And another described the move as "quite a relief". |
Claire Hughes, a teaching assistant and parent at the school, said the idea was prompted by the school's head teacher after reading about the financial burden gift giving placed on families. | Claire Hughes, a teaching assistant and parent at the school, said the idea was prompted by the school's head teacher after reading about the financial burden gift giving placed on families. |
She said during the festive period, the staff room could be filled with around twenty boxes of chocolates from parents, on top of other gifts. | She said during the festive period, the staff room could be filled with around twenty boxes of chocolates from parents, on top of other gifts. |
Mrs Hughes said: "We felt quite guilty receiving gifts and felt that we needed to change what happens here in our school." | Mrs Hughes said: "We felt quite guilty receiving gifts and felt that we needed to change what happens here in our school." |
She added that a Christmas card was more than enough. | She added that a Christmas card was more than enough. |
Mrs Hughes explained that when they told pupils they would not be doing presents, they were "initially quite disappointed". | Mrs Hughes explained that when they told pupils they would not be doing presents, they were "initially quite disappointed". |
However, it led to the decision for children to give to charity instead, such as food banks - although Mrs Hughes explained there is no pressure for them to donate at all. | However, it led to the decision for children to give to charity instead, such as food banks - although Mrs Hughes explained there is no pressure for them to donate at all. |
She added that the children are "realising the importance" of helping people at Christmas. | She added that the children are "realising the importance" of helping people at Christmas. |
As a result, her six-year-old son Caleb decided to create his own box for an Anglesey homeless charity. | As a result, her six-year-old son Caleb decided to create his own box for an Anglesey homeless charity. |
She explained that as a parent, not having the burden of buying gifts for staff is a "relief". | She explained that as a parent, not having the burden of buying gifts for staff is a "relief". |
"I find it quite a relief myself, not having to worry about what to give them", she said. | "I find it quite a relief myself, not having to worry about what to give them", she said. |
"As staff know I appreciate just a thank you." | "As staff know I appreciate just a thank you." |
Competing parents | Competing parents |
Cathryn Scott, who runs parenting blog Cardiff Mummy Says, said that it is "natural" for parents to want to thank teachers over Christmas. | Cathryn Scott, who runs parenting blog Cardiff Mummy Says, said that it is "natural" for parents to want to thank teachers over Christmas. |
But the mother-of-three added that although it is not something she experiences, reports of parents competing to buy presents are "worrying". | But the mother-of-three added that although it is not something she experiences, reports of parents competing to buy presents are "worrying". |
"I have a lot of friends who are teachers and I know they would be mortified if they thought parents were feeling pressure to buy gifts they can't afford." | "I have a lot of friends who are teachers and I know they would be mortified if they thought parents were feeling pressure to buy gifts they can't afford." |
At her children's school, parents can contribute £5 to buy vouchers for the class teacher and teaching assistants, and Ms Scott says there is no way she could buy individual gifts for all her children's teachers. | At her children's school, parents can contribute £5 to buy vouchers for the class teacher and teaching assistants, and Ms Scott says there is no way she could buy individual gifts for all her children's teachers. |
A primary school teacher in Cardiff, Frances Herbert, explained that children enjoy giving the presents to teachers, but said she does feel guilty sometimes. | A primary school teacher in Cardiff, Frances Herbert, explained that children enjoy giving the presents to teachers, but said she does feel guilty sometimes. |
"Especially when only working part time! But children love watching you open something." | "Especially when only working part time! But children love watching you open something." |
Harriet Warren, a mother from Cardiff, said her children opted to make homemade gifts. | Harriet Warren, a mother from Cardiff, said her children opted to make homemade gifts. |
"My three children have each made a bauble for their teachers, instead of joining in with the parents' group collection", she explained. | "My three children have each made a bauble for their teachers, instead of joining in with the parents' group collection", she explained. |
"I felt it was a more personal gift which they enjoyed doing and saved me a little bit of money." | "I felt it was a more personal gift which they enjoyed doing and saved me a little bit of money." |
Are you a teacher or a parent at a school with a similar present policy? What is your reaction to this story? Let us know by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | |
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