to think that not wearing a poppy counting as a uniform disciplinary issue is wrong?

[Bogeyface]

DD's school have said this, and yes I have checked with the school.

Dont get me wrong, no issue personally with poppies. However I dont think that the school can insist on pupils wearing a poppy to the point that they can be put into isolation for not wearing one, can they?

A poppy is an act of remembrance and if a person has no reason to wear one, or prefers not to, then how is that any of the schools business? I dont wear one, but I buy 2 crosses every year for my grandfathers graves who both fought and suffered horribly during WWII. I remember, I just dont wear a poppy.

DD has chosen to wear one, but says that most of her peers wear them because they have to, not because they care. There have been no assemblies or lessons about why poppies are worn and what the represent so she thinks that in the main this rule is pointless.

[Baylisiana]

Ok, sorry, I do not know who Britain First are, but if they have appropriated the Poppy I think we should resist letting them have it. I do not always wear one and have never been shamed about it. Of course it is and should be voluntary, otherwise it is meaningless. But if you want to wear one, do so, don't feel you have to protest against the pressure to wear one. Just be genuine.

[TheFairyCaravan]

No it's not contradictory at all Tater.

The poppy is a symbol of remembrance. It's nothing else. People need to stop saying it's a political symbol, it glorifies war and all the other rubbish that they come out with. It doesn't. It never has.

Do what you like. It's entirely up to you. But stop making a song and dance about it.

[TalkofSummertime]

I'm an NI Catholic, and I don't wear a poppy for the same reasons as the above poster. Although I too had relatives that fought and died in WWI, and do respect those who serve today, I am against policy decisions re. Middle Eastern intervention, not to mention Bloody Sunday.

Tell the school you are against poppy fascism as it dulls the impact of poppy-wearing, and suggest that some time is set aside to discuss remembrance, and the importance of learning lessons from such great loss of life.

[MitzyLeFrouf]

'I am struggling to think why someone would have a deep aversion to wearing a poppy.'

I think these people would be more inclined to wear one if it were just to commemorate the dead of WWI and WWII. Also, a lot of people rankle against being told 'you must do this'.

[Bogeyface]

he said that if someone chose not to wear one because of their beliefs then that would be respected

That seems fine to me. What's your problem with that?

Because that was said in response to me asking what would happen if someone didnt want to wear one because of personal beliefs, it clearly wasnt a thought out part of their plan.

[TalkofSummertime]

(Sorry, meant an earlier poster.)

[Bogeyface]

'I am struggling to think why someone would have a deep aversion to wearing a poppy.'

I have no aversion to wearing a poppy, I just choose not to. And I object to school aged children being forced to especially when they have no idea what the poppy represents. If there had been a class or assembly that explained the origins and then they were told that they could buy one from the office if they wanted to wear one, then fine. But that didnt happen.

[MitzyLeFrouf]

'I didn't win the argument though, potentially offending the 3% of the student body was more important than remembering those who fought for everyone's freedom'

Those darned Aborigines, getting in your way.

[DanceTheBlues]

Fairy Orders are given out to say poppies must be worn by X date (6th Nov this year?) but that order is always given with the caveat that you don't have to wear a poppy if you don't want to.

In my very recent security briefing we were told not to wear/display on FB poppies with our cap badge on them in case they attracted unwanted attention.

I have no aversion to wearing a poppy at all; I have one on my coat right now, but it's entirely personal choice if you want to wear one or not.

[griffinsss]

white poppy explanation

White poppies - in remembrance, but also a reminder that war and violence are not the only or the best ways to solve conflict. "Wear a white poppy for peace". Remembers the fallen but doesn't support the war. Acknowledges the loss of civilian life and doesn't rose tint the British army.

Red poppies - in remembrance, but more supportive of the armed forces and the wars that they have been involved in. Remembers the members of the armed forces that were lost but scarcely recognises the loss of civilian life (and torture) that the British army have caused and funded.

Disclaimer: I spent a lot of my childhood living by a military base. And I've lost someone close to me in Afghanistan. These things have shaped my views and I do not mean them to be disrespectful.

[Baylisiana]

Absolutely agree it should be a personal choice otherwise it has no meaning. Having a rule that everyone must wear them destroys the whole gesture. I just meant (but not expressing myself well at all) that if someone did want to wear one, it would be a shame for them not to do so as a protest against the 'everyone must' brigade. Kind of like letting them win.

[UterusUterusGhali]

balis I'm talking about a yellow star. Don't pretend to be thick.

[Baylisiana]

Sorry Uterus I completely failed to see the reference. I misunderstood, apologies. I am not sure the analogy quite works, but I did get the wrong end of the stick.

[cjdamoo]

@Maitland girl are you in Maitland?

[pontificationcentral]

But they don't have to wear one. If someone chooses not to wear one, their wishes will be respected and it will not be a disciplinary offence.

But it gave all the poppy bashers another opportunity to froth, anyway, I suppose. Maybe get the title changed to add 'oh, not a disciplinary matter at all, after all, never mind'?

I spent 16 years in service, dh did 22 and got blown up, the kids' godfather was blown up. I don't care if you wear one or not. Nor anyone else. Don't froth about poppy shaming in my name. If I could get hold of a white one I'd wear both, in my uniform, because I hate that white poppy wearers seem to believe they have the moral high ground. The idea that the red poppy celebrates and glorifies a militaristic world view, and that the military isn't as concerned with civilian loss of life and peaceful interventions to prevent future bloodshed as they are is very sad.

[Bogeyface]

pontification I think my posts made it clear that it was only when I called school that they said that a student with the appropriate personal beliefs would be excluded from this expectation. I dont take credit for that, just that it was only when it was questioned that this rule was questioned and then rescinded.

The reasons behind red or white poppies is not relevant. What is relevant is whether a matter of conscience is something that a school can make rules about.

[MaitlandGirl]

Mitzy I never said that - my objection is being told you can't do something just in case it might offend a minority group, who have never expressed offence at the action that's being banned. Rightly or wrongly indigenous students are in the minority in this school.

cjdamoo I was, I'm not anymore as we've moved and I can't be bothered to change my username! Are you local?

[Toadinthehole]

I'd be surprised if the school's policy was even legal, but I'm no expert.

In the meantime, when oh when will Peak Poppy come? To be honest, I find this mass poppy wearing a bit maudlin.

[missymayhemsmum]

The white poppy honours those who died in wars by pledging to work for peace and reconciliation. It also remembers the millions of lives (soldiers and civilians) destroyed in war and the bravery of conscientious objectors to war and those who put themselves in harms way as peacemakers, now and in the past.

While the red poppy was originally a symbol of grief and remembrance and a fundraiser for ex-service people, and I am sure that's the spirit in which most people will wear one, it does seem to be being co-opted by the people who want to close down any debate about military action as 'unpatriotic'.

If you want a white poppy try your local Friends Meeting House. Or order online here www.ppu.org.uk/ppushop

And red poppy wearing does seem to be creeping into schools and workplaces as an 'expectation' that people have to conform to or consciously opt out of.

[cjdamoo]

In Maitland well Aberglasslyn. I was just wondering Re school

[Bogeyface]

There is a "conchie", who was born and subsequently buried in my village, who was honoured with the VC. He was like Godfrey in Dads Army, he refused active service but enlisted as a stretcher bearer and saved many lives, hence the VC as he put his own life in danger doing so. There are several memorials that all use the red poppy to represent him. Would white poppies be more appropriate then? It has felt wrong to me that they use the red poppy as that represents what he objected to, but I couldnt articulate why.

[HedgehogHedgehog]

YANBU i dont wear a poppy. Its a personal thing! No way should it be forced.

[NoSunNoMoon]

This is why I don't and never have. None of my family do.

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/symon-hill/poppy-appeal-white-war_b_12671378.html

[CustardShoes]

She could wear a white poppy.

The school is entirely U. YANBU