Two Newtownabbey schoolkids have gifted their teacher petrol money as their end of year gift. Riley Sloan wanted to give his P7 teacher at Whitehouse Primary School a practical present, so he and his brother David decided petrol money would be ideal.
Riley and his three siblings attended the school, and so his leaving marks the end of the family's 15 years as part of the school community. His teachers and classroom assistants had also cared for him at school as he has type one diabetes.
David and Riley's mum Casheen told Belfast Live the boys wanted to do something a bit different to mark the end of the school year.
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"I asked the kids what they'd want to give their teachers, we had the usual flowers and chocolates, but they said they wanted to do something different. It's a big year for us because it's the last to leave the primary school, we've had four kids there over 15 years," she explained.
"We'd already done all the typical teacher presents and they wanted to try something different. I asked what they thought their teacher would need, and they said 'well mum, they need electric and petrol, everything's so expensive now.' We decided to get a card made and highlight the price, and give it in that way.
"The kids were willing to pay half with their own pocket money. I know £20 is a lot for some people to give a teacher, but for me it was affordable, and I would've given more as they've went above and beyond for them as children but also for their medical needs.
"Both of the kids are type one diabetic. On the inside of the card it says 'these prices are rising quicker than my blood sugar after apple juice.' They found that quite funny."
Casheen added that the pandemic showed the great work teachers do on a daily basis both to teach but also to care for children.
She said: "The school has to be commended, all teachers across the board. Over Covid we all appreciated what they do as we all switched to homeschooling, some people found it difficult including me.
"I am not a teacher, my children told me that, they said I'm not good at it. It showed me the job they do, and they do it to 30 odd pupils, I just think they're amazing.
"I have a 22 year old who started there in P4 so we've been with the school for 15 years, they've been like a wee family to us. It was an emotional day with Riley leaving."
Riley said he felt "really good" to be able to give his teacher such a unique present. He added: "It was important to me, it was my last year and the school has been so nice to my family over the years."
Although praising the practical thinking of her sons, Casheen said their gift choice highlights the cost of living crisis in Northern Ireland.
"This is all the kids' idea. I think it's brilliant our children are thinking very practically. I'm sure many of them want to buy their teachers the world," she said.
"But for our kids in this day and age to be thinking of petrol money as a gift really does just highlight the sign of the times. The prices have sky rocketed from that picture was taken too, and it was only a week ago."
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