Non faith school re-arranging events because of eid

[reikizen]

My daughter's primary school is a large multicultural one, but is not a faith school. They sent a letter tonight saying the year 6 leavers assembly has been rearranged to accommodate children who may be kept off school for eid. This means I can't now go as I have to request my shifts at work well in advance and did so on the information the school originally gave. I am really cross and feel like contacting the school as I can't understand why the personal preferences of a certain group of parents should trump all other considerations. I know of at least 3 other year 6 parents who can't attend the new date, and my daughter will be very upset when I tell her. Would you complain?

You are right Keep - it's pretty pagan-ish, but they have swept it up as part of the religious purge here. As said, I was shocked at the beginning, but now it makes sense.
They do learn about all the religions though in RE. But I feel a little sad sometimes that they don't' know how to sing 'All things bright and beautiful'

Can i just say that Ramadan and Eid don't sneak up on a school by the back door. This is poor planning by the school when they worked on the Annual School Calendar.

I would never cancel an arrangement because of my poor planning - but would add an additional celebration for the children who cannot join in because of the fasting rules.

The fasting is NOT a requirement until the child reaches puberty - but the parents will be hitting some 'brick walls' as the fasting takes a hold on their bodies. The Ramadan fasting is so strict that any parent following it may not be able to duties e.g. driving child to school (because of severe de-hydration) or join in a social event other than to break the fast outside of daylight hours. The family comes together to break the fast, so there is late travelling to/from the family place where the fast is broken and late bed-times for the children.

I think you may stand alone in this upset OP (not everyone is a working mother) but you are still entitled to NOT agree to the change. However, the change of date for a school event is at the discretion of the Headteacher and Governing Body.

All tweaking and changing of school dates is intensely irritating as a parent. I have sympathy for your position. There's no point coming on here complaining though. You'll never be allowed to express any view that hasn't been passed by the thought police.

. not driving child to school (because of severe de-hydration)

Fab. Isn't religion wonderful.

Norah your post is ridiculous and offensive.

YANBU

Your child is going to miss out on having her mother there for an important milestone in her life because the school planned badly and is now prioritising religious observance over sticking to arranged dates.

That is totally shit of them.

People who choose not to go because of a clash with Eid would at least be making a choice.

You (and your child, who is just as important as all the other children) have had that choice taken away from you.

I would be with the outraged if it was short notice. But it's a month. I primary school terms that's practically a millennium!

'I would be with the outraged if it was short notice. But it's a month. I primary school terms that's practically a millennium!'

However, in the rest of life if domed well isn't, and good schools have taken that on board.

It might sound ridiculous because you've misunderstood, Norah. The rules that you've described as appeasing Muslims do apply to children of all religions. Sikh, Jewish cgildren etc are all entitled to take the day off to celebrate major religious festivals. They are not ignored in favour of Muslim children.

I would complain so that the school get their arse into gear and plan properly in the future.

Actualy, fuck it, I'm reporting that post from Norah, for the blatant Islamaphobia in the second paragraph.

I think the religion part of your op is relevant here. To me changing events to suit a religious holiday is no different to changing school events to not clash with other events, World Cup, Wimbledon, etched and I would hope that a non-faith school would be more secular and let faith have no part in their considerations. to me religion (maybe not the whole ethos of a religion to a religious person but the level of priority they give to practising their religion) should come second to education.

However I intensely dislike most religions and feel that we need to move towards a more secular state so admittedly I am bias or prejudice.

However biggest problem here is lack of planning and forethought on the schools part and it would be sad if the kids missed out on the leavers assembly. although I would blame the families for not having their priorities right, not the school

I kid you not keeptothewhiteline

I know many mothers who simply 'take to their bed' when the fasting becomes 'too much'. Most of them are 'high caste' in their own country to be fair. They have maids and butlers to help them get through Ramadam in their own country.

It's their choice to live in the UK - but still have expectations that they should be 'accommodated'. I say this as a person who is preparing the tray of apricots, figs, fruit and nuts for my neighbours who are currently sleeping before they meet their family for the breaking of the fast celebration. I am also cooking their English breakfast and delivering at 4am before the sun comes up.

I have just realised I need my own AIBU thread

I don't think that days off school for religious celebrations should be authorised (unless at a faith specific school). The number of different religions means that you'd have children off all the bloody time.

Christian festivals are different because - obviously - the UK has NO separation of church and state. Major church holidays are therefore passed onto national holidays. People can piss and moan about this being unfair, but that's life.

I do know a family living in a country which doesn't celebrate christmas with a national holiday. They celebrate either at the weekend, or with a dinner in the evening. They don't just pull their children out of school.

"Primary schools are often quite busy teaching children"

Yes, I am quite aware of that thanks.

I am often quite busy carrying out my job as well. But it doesn't prevent me from making sure that the arrangements I make for meetings, public events etc are at times and dates that take account of the circumstances of my clients. In fact I would go so far as to say that's part of my job.

It should also be part of the job of the administration and management team at any primary school that professes to want parents to be an active and supporting part of the school community.

A month is short notice in many, many jobs.

sadwidow what a lovely neighbour you are.

You must be mad though unless you are usually a very early riser.

Bakeoffcake now there lies another story!

I have a 16 year old Border Collie - but dogs are considered 'dirty' so I have to assure them that my dog doesn't wander into my kitchen during Ramadan once I have scrubbed it clean. My dog must be kept away from them at all times during Ramadan - but they happily come to my home for a meal outside of Ramadan.

When my friend brought his wife to the UK about 10 years ago, I invited both of them to my house for 4 days over Christmas to show her how 'we' celebrated. It was a great mix of cultures.

I did get a bit of shock though when someone from the Egyptian Embassy phoned to speak to the DW during Christmas dinner - it was her uncle!

Sad widow - sorry but I think you are taking nonsense. You say you after preparing food hour the faster who are asleep and will wake up and eat elsewhere with family anyway ?

Then you are delivering a full English breakfast to them at 4 am? Haha a. I seriously doubt their Eat a full make sure English.

leave out the sausage and bacon won't you? Plus 4am might be a little too late. I read ona another thread today they begin the fast at 2am.

Your post did make me belly laugh.

Apologies for the grammar and jumbled text. I think I may have been lolling too hard.

keeptothewhiteline DS went to school in London - I'm not going to go further than that as I don't intend to out myself or indeed him.

cleanmachine Not nonsense at all. They are my opposite neighbours and I have known them since 2004. The DH has permanent residency in the UK (since 1997 I think) but he married a 5th wife and she is not an English speaker. I completed the visa application for her to enter the country for permanent residency alongside her DH.

I take her shopping as long as I have her DH ready to pick up the phone to answer questions when she is looking for an item. She has hardly learnt a word of English since she arrived in the UK because her free time is spent on Skype talking to her family back in Egypt.

She instructs all the family chefs in Egypt about what they must cook that day, but she is unable to cook herself. (It is not within her caste responsibility.)

I had the greatest Christmas since my DH died when my friend and his wife came to stay for 4 days. Yes, she was demanding - but I understand her.

I have had the friend's grandchildren to stay with me for a week (not the wife's because she is the 5th wife). I saw him ask for 'honour' as he entered the room. I soon put a stop to that when he was waking them from their bed to greet him with honour!

I can tell you more if you want me to.

No thanks sad. Think I've heard enough. Still don't believe a word.

cleanmachine An English breakfast does NOT have to include pork. I make my own vegetarian sausages or vegetarian balls using chick peas or kidney beans.

My friend likes a small beef frying steak on his breakfast plate as a substitute for bacon. I called it 'English Breakfast' as a short-hand term

I get a lot of sweet meats as a 'thank you'. They are very sweet and there isn't a jot of meat in them

its likely they didn't realise till parents went to them hence the change