Easter celebrations cancelled at Primary school

I would wonder why it was cancelled rather than blame this headmistress. Perhaps the feedback from parents and children was that this event was not enjoyed. I can imagine many not wanting to wear a bonnet around the place all day. Perhaps this idea came from the children themselves who are of course free to choose their own beliefs and not have them forced upon them by schools, family or anyone else at all.

I would like to apologise for my post which, reading it now, did come out as a nasty comment.
I didn’t mean to cause offence and I am very sorry if my comment upset the new poster.
I deserved all I got on this one! 🤐🫢

Is this really worthy of comment

theworriedwell

I've never really understood wanting to celebrate a young man being crucified. It always made me sad as a child that he had to go through that for my sins. So I'm all for the church service but don't understand what a parade of bonnets has to go with Christianity. Maybe a spring bonnet parade would be more appropriate.

You obviously know nothing of the Christian faith.
His death is not celebrated,but mourned. His rising on Easter Sunday is celebrated.
Do you mock other religions too.

is

It isn't a celebration of a young man being crucified, it is a celebration of him rising from the dead. The teaching of the meaning of the Easter story is very much neglected, and as Britain is still a Christian country it is important to understand the basic tenets of the faith, whether you choose to believe them or not. ; I think Miss Mander is behaving very foolishly.
All six major religions are supposed to be taught in schools.

I've always been a strong supporter of the separation of church and state and no religious teaching in schools, but to pursue this to the level of banning easter bonnet parades at primary schools is pathetic.

Indigo8

If it is not a Christian church school what is the objection?

Stephanie Mander is a good pro-active head that is what matters most not some silly fuss about nothing.

The important thing is that the children are being taught effectively in preparation for their SATs not whether they take part in some stupid Easter bonnet thing.

So if she cancelled Eid or Diwali in her school can you imagine the uproar. Still better to be learning for their sats instead of some stupid celebrations.

rockgran

I think it is still a legal requirement that all state schools must provide an act of “collective worship” that is “broadly Christian” every day.

You are right; Section 70 of the 1998 act relates to
compulsory, daily, collective worship.

I was very surprised that this is the case as my DCs and GCs, who between have attended seven different schools, have no experience of daily collective worship. I gather that there is widespread non-compliance which is ignored by OFSTED.

Crossstitchfan

Gracie12

As a retired Primry school Headteacher I am saddened by this...it is misguided
...all our children from whichever ethnic minority they came enjoyed the Easter bonnet parade we had in school.
..mums were involved and helped out wit the bonnets it was a lovely inclusive occasion...

Oh dear! A head teacher who can’t spell and who misses words out! Doesn’t say much for the education level in the school from which she came!

what a crass comment..

Yes, FriedGreenTomatoes, no religious instruction, symbols, clothing etc in French public (= state) schools.
But as Allira says, chocolate bunnies, eggs, rabbits etc, do creep in under pagan, no need to mention Christianity, so I guess it's a time for celebration of life, which in a roundabout way is the meaning of Easter anyway! 🐣

theworriedwell

I've never really understood wanting to celebrate a young man being crucified. It always made me sad as a child that he had to go through that for my sins. So I'm all for the church service but don't understand what a parade of bonnets has to go with Christianity. Maybe a spring bonnet parade would be more appropriate.

It goes back to medieval times. More or less a celebration of spring. That’s why they are adorned with spring flowers.

www.fleursdevilles.com/post/the-easter-bonnet-then-and-now#:~:text=Irving%20Berlin%2C%20%E2%80%9CEaster%20Parade%E2%80%9D%201933&text=The%20origin%20of%20the%20Easter,to%20symbolize%20renewal%20and%20rebirth.

Sacrilege to cancel an Easter bonnet parade? That's hilarious.

Allira obviously it is important but do t you think it's horrific? As for the Easter bonnet parade there's nothing Christian about it. At least eggs are symbolic but I bonnets? No I can't see the Christian significance of bonnets.

It is sacrilege to cancel an important Christian celebration in a Christian country. A very sad sign of the times :-(

I just Googled “are French schools secular?”

Yes, French schools are secular, a principle enshrined in the French constitution and implemented through laws like the 1905 separation of Church and State, ensuring religious neutrality in public education.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Laïcité:
The French concept of secularism, known as "laïcité," is a cornerstone of the French Republic, aiming to ensure that public institutions, including schools, are religiously neutral.
Public Education:
Public schools in France are required to maintain religious neutrality, meaning they cannot endorse or promote any religion, nor can they force students into religious education.
Separation of Church and State:
The 1905 law on the separation of Church and State prohibits the state from recognizing or funding any religion, further solidifying the principle of secularism in public life, including schools.
Religious Symbols:
French law prohibits the wearing of conspicuous religious symbols in public schools, a policy that has been the subject of ongoing debate and controversy, particularly regarding Islamic symbols.
Moral and Civic Instruction:
Instead of religious instruction, public schools focus on moral and civic education, promoting values of secularism, republicanism, and citizenship.
Private Schools:
Private schools are allowed to offer religious instruction, but they must also adhere to the general curriculum established by the government.

rockgran

I think it is still a legal requirement that all state schools must provide an act of “collective worship” that is “broadly Christian” every day.

Not in Scotland.

theworriedwell

I've never really understood wanting to celebrate a young man being crucified. It always made me sad as a child that he had to go through that for my sins. So I'm all for the church service but don't understand what a parade of bonnets has to go with Christianity. Maybe a spring bonnet parade would be more appropriate.

You've entirely missed the point!! I don't know whether to 😂😥 or 😯

Jesus Christ rose from the dead on Easter Sunday. He died to save us all. It's the most important day of celebration for Christians worldwide.

Bunnies, eggs, bonnets are pagan but the two have amalgamated so it's a time of celebration for all.

Allira

escaped

Don't worry Gracie12. I was a Primary School Head, and I make a ton of spelling howlers here on GN.

Type in haste, repent at leisure 😀

Yes, I think the act of repentance is part of lots of religions, so that's OK!

Oops, should have proof-read!

Wyllow3

I think this particular decision depends entirely on what the school does vis a is other religions and how they are taught or celebrated. Needless to say the DM has gone all shock horror over it but I'm waiting for a fuller story. For example, a decision to celebrate/educate on one festival each year for the major religions, which might mean deciding to keep Christmas.

No doubt other faiths have more than one religious celebration per year but school time wise you cant celebrate them all.

Easter is the most important Christian festival.

Whst an opportunity missed. Learning about what life was like in the Roman world - not all lounging around in togas eating grapes.

escaped

Don't worry Gracie12. I was a Primary School Head, and I make a ton of spelling howlers here on GN.

Type in haste, repent at leisure 😀

FriedGreenTomatoes2

I’m with the French education stance.
No religion in school.
Keep it for weekends and family if you have a faith.

Yes, they might be an answer and should be the same for all religions.
However, it's not as easy as that as the Church of England is the Established Church in England.

I don't see anything wrong with primary school children learning why we celebrate Easter and other festivals.

I think all schools should celebrate all religious festivals
Could be rather time consulming?

It could incorporate all kinds of useful exercises, writing, art, history, geography, singing. As well as learning about different cultures, their religions and learning respect for others.

By the time they go to senior school they won't be so interested but can choose comparative religions as an option.

Crossstitchfan

Maggiemaybe

Sorry, are we in pedants’ corner now? What a mean spirited comment, Crossstichfan.

You’re entitled to your opinion, of course, as I am to mine! . I, however, still feel that it would be a good idea if people proof-read their replies before posting them. Sometimes not doing so can cause the sentence to mean something entirely different, which rather defeats the object,

As you're in favour of correcting mistakes I'd like to point out there shouldn't be a space then a full stop after an exclamation mark.

I agree with Maggiemaybe that Gracie12's comment was perfectly clear.

Typos are quite normal.

Don't worry Gracie12. I was a Primary School Head, and I make a ton of spelling howlers here on GN.