Easter celebrations cancelled at Primary school

glasshalffullagain

Freya5

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.

Uproar, absolute up roar at the thought of canceling Diwali.

My initial response was what a misery guts, though I confess making Easter bonnets for the parade at my children’s primary school was never my finest hour.
My grandchildren are in primary/junior schools. We are a fairly mixed, multi cultural area. Two are in a small village Catholic primary, two in no faith state schools. The Catholic school follows the Christian calendar. Our 6 and 8 year olds gave up chocolate for Lent. Both schools teaching on Lent and Ramadan. At the non faith school, a number of Muslim pupils are fasting so lots of comparisons with Lent andcRamadam.
Those suggesting Christianity is rejected and Islam supported by schools are simply wrong

Something we all need to remember is how few white British people identify as Christian, how small Church congregations are

Celebrate everything you can. Include as many as you can. Childhood is too short, to be cutting out the fun. But Easter Bonnet parade? Would it be a competition for the best one? Would some youngsters not have the resources to create a good enough effort? Do we know the thinking behind the cancellation?

I expect she had none group of parents coming in and saying that children shouldn’t have to make bonnets

and another group of parents saying that bonnets should be made but only if they reflected a variety of cultures

and another group saying bonnets were ok but must not be competitive

and another group saying that they thought it should not be bonnets but that desk decoration would be better

and a visitation from a group of governors to say that parents had contacted them with concerns about the bonnets

and a directive from the Department f Education saying that if bonnets were made there should be a detailed lesson plan with objectives and predicted outcomes and evidence f high quality bonnet making

and a journalist phoning to say they’d heard that there was trouble at 5he school and could they have an interview and photograph children in bonnets

And at that point she gave up and said

NO BONNETS

Lathryus 😂. Best response so far

theworriedwell

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.

Yes, of course the crucifixion was horrific but Easter Sunday and the Resurrection are a celebration of everlasting life.

Easter bonnets - probably a fairly modern concept when women went to church in their best clothes.

Children love making decorated Easter bonnets.

Exactly 😂

Eggs symbolic?

Not sure but I'm hoping to receive one 😀

Inclusive means everyone and it is part of multi cultural UK
I loved the Easter bonnet parade

How can anybody cancel Christmas or Easter?

JaneJudge

Inclusive means everyone and it is part of multi cultural UK
I loved the Easter bonnet parade

I loved the Easter bonnet parade
😀 Buying a cheap straw hat and helping the DD sew Easter bunnies, eggs etc on it.

Freya…….I didn’t think “The Worried Well” was mocking the Christian faith, but expressing how she felt as a child when being told about the Crucifixion. And I’m inclined to agree with her.

I just love Easter. We would make a massive cone hat and decorate it
I always won 😂😂 maybe that why I love it

I can still see and smell the parquet floor of the school hall

sazz1

Miss Mander head of Eastleigh primary school has cancelled the Easter Service and Easter bonnet parade at a primary school. She thinks it's not inclusive? It's all over the press if you Google her name. What do others think?

I think the woman is a complete prat tbh.
Schools can be inclusive in many ways and most primary schools try and be obliging to include different faiths and cultures and celebrations including Chinese New Year!
An Easter service and an Easter Bonnet parade sound fine to me.
This is wokery at its finest🤬

If everyone is allowed their their celebrations it means Christian people can have Easter and even heathens like me can love Easter

What do others think?

I think the woman is a complete prat tbh
👏👏👏

What a missed opportunity.
Daft woman.

Easter is cancelled in the spirit of inclusivity, and Miss Mander will introduce Refugee Week later.
The latest Ofsted report said the Quality of Education 'requires improvement.'

Do boys wear bonnets or is it a girls only thing? My DCs and DGCs have never been involved so I wouldn't know.

Bit unnecessarily rude to call Ms Mander a complete prat.
especially as we don't know the full story.

Why has woke become a pejorative term on GN?

It’s wire bonnets as well in the 80s when I was at primary school

Indigo8

Do boys wear bonnets or is it a girls only thing? My DCs and DGCs have never been involved so I wouldn't know.

Bit unnecessarily rude to call Ms Mander a complete prat.
especially as we don't know the full story.

Why has woke become a pejorative term on GN?

Thanks Indigo, absolutely agree.

Yes, boys wear bonnets, but they're more like hats.
eg. .........

"I think the woman is a complete prat tbh"
👏👏👏
I agree with the above.

Oh Lathyrus, how familiar that sounded ...and I'm a decade into retirement from school life.😄

I thought this was a really balanced article on the subject by the local press. It explains how the parent who inadvertently drew the attention of the press to the issue is horrified by the trouble caused and especially by the vile comments that have been received in response to the publicity.

Interestingly it says this:-

The Ofsted report noted: “Pupils are respectful and welcoming of everyone, regardless of their beliefs or backgrounds. A Year 6 pupil referred to the school as ‘one big family’, a view shared by the majority of pupils.”

It also stated: “Pupils know the fundamental British values, including those of democracy and the rule of law. They respect the views of others and know that discrimination is unacceptable.”

This is all so heartwarming and positive. The teachers are definitely getting something right with their pupils.

As is usual with press and social media response it seems like we have half a story, less than half of the background information and a 'spin' to bait division.

I feel the saddest thing about this story is that the news coverage will do nothing to help the children and teachers in this deprived area.

www.eastleighnews.co.uk/2025/03/man-apologises-after-facebook-post-about-schools-easter-decision-goes-viral/

Thank you Churchview. I have been reading some Facebook and SM responses to events and they are as every bit as disgusting, vile, and ignorant as the man who apologises says.

Many groups such as "friends of Lee Anderson" (on steroids) throwing their bit in. And this delightful racist
www.facebook.com/groups/1719995955215383/?hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen&multi_permalinks=1735001833714795

The letter shows there was obviously great consultation within the community as to the particular decision. Its a "pause" since as the letter says,

""We understand that this change may be disappointing for some, especially those who have cherished these traditions over the years. However, we believe that this decision aligns with our values of inclusivity and respect for diversity. We are exploring alternative ways to celebrate the season in future years, that will be inclusive of all children and reflect the rich cultural diversity of our community."

I had a look at the Darren Grimes facebook page. All kinds of hatred, and threats on there alongside her photograph, details of the school and repeated postings of the head teacher's email address.

The majority of the posters vociferously supporting a Christian festival demonstrate a complete lack of Christian principles, values and behaviour.

I should imagine she must feel very frightened for her safety today and that cannot be right.