This is a good idea
Comments
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I now see that the school referred to by myself in my post on page 1 has relented following representations from the pupils. I'm not sure whether the pupils fulfilled the remit or if the Head came under too much pressure to change her mind. I hope it was the former.
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knowing schools, I would suspect the latter.
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We live in what would probably be considered a fairly prosperous area, ET. I have friends who are involved with two local rotary clubs and, through them, the Trussell Trust which runs food banks. Their estimate is that the number of families being referred to them has more than tripled over the past 5 years.
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Yes I am aware of the increases Steve but unsure how much of it is due to an increase in outlets due to social internet groups highlighting the need as opposed to a true greater need. The need has long been there.
My youngest has managed for 8 years on a low income with first one son and then for the last 7 years as a single mother of two. She was not entitled to some other credits previously due to her high level of savings.
She received a family tax payments for the two lads but, if she moves, will loose that under the new rules. She used to make extra money by wombling, collecting discarded receipts outside supermarkets and that paid for most of her weekly shop. That I think is no longer an option I believe. She now makes around £100 a week doing on-line surveys and is thereby able to get tax credit for working over 16 hours a week.
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Our local foodbank is a Trussell one, M.
The staff say the number of referrals has definitely increased here.
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looking at what the school said:
But after hundreds of emails and letters "making a strong case" for jingling the bells and bringing back the baubles, the school relented.
Head teacher Richard Bramley said: "Those students who really thought about the situation and challenged the decision appropriately created the change and brought back Christmas"Did Christmas go away btw?
from my point of view and experience that is typical school diplomatic climb down speak. The school's head would not want to be called scrooge, or have it's head above the parapet for an osfted visit (it is due one very soon
) and saw that it was in the national spotlight. and coming out in a very negative way to most?Also if the head of RE who stated (RE teacher Chris Paul said) "an avalanche of commercialisation" had robbed the season of its meaning, now if he actually believes that then he hasn't really done his job very well has he?
I would also guess that many of these letters would have pointed out that as the school has not made any similar statements or approaches to other religious festivals (imagine a school saying it would 'ban' a religious event from the Muslim or Jewish faith?) then it is targeting Christianity? again think ofsted. Why should staff, parents and students have to justify having cards, presents, parties...
If this was a Catholic school I could understand it saying that but a secular school should it try and make a stand like this?
I'm not disagreeing that for most Christmas has two different meanings and perhaps what is has become is OTT by the way just saying that this school's approach could be incorrect?
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Thanks for your reply CS. I'm not that bothered as I'm an Atheist so the true meaning of Christmas doesn't hold the same religious connotations for me. However I do believe in respecting all religions with certain reservations which I don't think we could go into on this forum due to the T & Cs.
I was quite pleased that someone seemed to be asking their pupils to look beyond their normal perceptions of Christmas and try to have them bring a reasoned argument about the true meaning of the day, I really cannot see a problem with asking the same question of any faith and as I understand it most faiths could have withstood the same request, without anyone getting all P.C. about it. I see nothing wrong with asking children to engage in reasoned debate.
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fully agree with your last paragraph completely, and yes most faiths can and should talk about their beliefs, but as with most subjects, forcing someone into a debate isn't the best way forward? So 'ban' Christmas (in a non faith school?) until you debate?
If that RE teacher thought there was a 'problem' there, and it could be said - he hasn't therefore taught them very well in the first place, there are far better ways to get children to engage, the usual one is with some rewards for the best posters, presentation....
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Is interesting to read about people/ teachers encouraging children to consider the true/ religious reason for Christmas, and the excesses which concern people. In reality, Christmas reflects a Christian hijacking of mid winter/ shortest day festivals held all over the world. Commonly, those pagan festivals incorporated excess products sacrificial offered to their deities.
While I applaud and participate in action for the less fortunate at Christmas, that support is needed just as much on a freezing February night, or an arid Summer day. So, hands off our Mid winter festival, I say, but let’s keep it sensibly moderate, while helping others throughout the year.
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I completely agree about the need being there all year round. And, although this particular thread is about a school's approach to Christmas, I think schools do a pretty good job of raising awareness all year round.
The school I used to work in (and admittedly it's getting on for 10 years ago now), used to have 6 fundraising days each year - a "mufti" (non uniform) day once a term for a specific charity and an end of term fund raising day (cake sales, sponsored activities, sponge throwing at the teacher! etc) where each year group voted to choose their own charity. I often think that youngsters have more awareness of need than we give them credit for.
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yes, indeed and we had those and red nose days, and sports aid. Also a few schools also did the harvest festival. I remember that the teacher who ran one was a very old fashioned sort and use to refer to the deserving poor.
Of course that led to many comments: as opposed to what?
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I've yet to be convinced that there is any reason for families to spend their hard earned money on presents for school teachers.
I fully support the message to parents from Kate McLaughlin. Let's hope it is taken up by schools across the whole of the UK.
After all, I would like to think that If families could spare money for others, it would be directed towards the needy not the ?
K
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