«Breaking News» School tells parents to cap teachers' Christmas gifts at £50

A £16,470-a-year private girls' school has urged parents to cap spending on Christmas gifts for teachers at £50 to avoid putting them in an 'awkward position'.

St Helen and St Katharine Independent Girls' School in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, has told staff they cannot accept any cash or gifts worth more than £50 from a pupil.

Teachers at the school, whose alumni include Samantha Cameron, are also banned from accepting vouchers worth more than £100 from a group of students.

St Helen and St Katharine school in Abingdon has issued guidance on Christmas gifts for staff

A letter was sent to parents on November 23 to set out a 'number of restrictions' on what teachers can accept, reported Schools Week.

Signed by school bursar David Eley, it said: 'We appreciate your understanding in this matter, which will avoid placing staff in an awkward position.'

Mr Eley said the school was a charitable organisation and the policy was 'to ensure strong governance', adding that it was not in response to any past issues.

He continued: 'We have a great relationship with our parent body and a powerful sense of community that is built on this kind of transparency/clarity.'

Samantha Cameron, wife of the former prime minister David, is among the school's alumni

But Janita Gray, a senior editor at the Good Schools Guide, told Schools Week that the letter was 'joyless' and the £50 limit could actually put pressure on parents.

Rebecca Dougall is headmistress of St Helen and St Katherine Independent Girls' School

She said: 'All teachers, whether in a private or state school, put in so much hard work that it's natural for parents to want to recognise that, particularly at this time of year.

'The implication is that it's some kind of bribe, but what realistically would you hope to achieve by that?'

Ms Gray added that she had heard of parents giving teachers designer handbags, pheasants and dinner at top restaurants – as well as used toiletries.

A National Association of Head Teachers spokesman said of gifts for teachers that 'anything excessive, even if well-intentioned, would probably make staff feel quite awkward and is best avoided'.

Some of St Helen and St Katherine’s other alumni include Mrs Cameron's sister Emily Sheffield, ex-Radio 1 presenter Natalie Jamieson and Blue Peter host Lindsey Russell.

Linkhienalouca.com

https://hienalouca.com/2018/12/03/school-tells-parents-to-cap-teachers-christmas-gifts-at-50/
Main photo article A £16,470-a-year private girls’ school has urged parents to cap spending on Christmas gifts for teachers at £50 to avoid putting them in an ‘awkward position’.
St Helen and St Katharine Independent Girls’ School in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, has told staff they cannot accept a...

It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.

Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.

Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca





https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2018/12/03/10/6937664-6454313-image-a-11_1543832883409.jpg