Our school has banned the word Christmas?

[Fayethefair]

I’ve heard from a friend on my DD’s school’s ptfa that our Cambridgeshire school has banned the word Christmas to make the school events feel more inclusive. So now it’s Festive Party, Festive Fayre etc. I’m happy to let mumsnet know the name of the school if they don’t feel this post is genuine so they can check this themselves but I won’t put names on here as this is my child’s school, I just don’t think this right and want to see what others think.

My daughter attended a Diwali lunch put on by the school recently and I genuinely thought this was lovely. I feel everything should be represented equally, I don’t understand or agree that the head should be picking and choosing what’s allowed and what isn’t. Surely this isn’t right?

Considering that the Winter Fair at our relatively small primary brought in over £8000 last year, your school might have said good riddance. To be fair, the PA team that ran it (including a couple of non-Christians) do absolutely stellar events. They should be running the world.

British culture innit

Hahahahaha. Now THAT'S a celebration!

I thought it sounded a bit Footloose of them, but the use of the word Festive for events seems completely reasonable to me. I say it to relatives "Lets meet up over the festive season." I haven't banned Christmas.

Do you know what banned means?

Is it?? I just be British-ing wrong because I’ve never done it! I’ll try harder.

Just use the word Christmas. Simple as

I’ve heard from a friend on my DD’s school’s ptfa that our Cambridgeshire school has banned the word Christmas

Surely if it was your DD's school you would have received a letter/email from the school informing you of this. Now things may have changed since my DD was at school, but I'm pretty sure the HT didn't ask members of the PTA to pass on any messages relating to a change in the school's policies.

It's as true as Santa and his flying reindeers

Christianity isn't inclusive, believe whatever religious book you like, but don't pretend it's something it clearly isn't.

I think you missed the bit where I said it was 25 years ago. If you want to be offensive, I suggest you get your facts straight.

Well said.

I think the difference is that for Diwali or Eid we are not expecting to engage in at least six weeks worth of events and activities, most of which have a financial objective ( either commercial or charity). I’m sure a lot of the drive for “inclusiveness” is actually more to encourage a wider section of the population to part with their cash. I would have thought those of you so upset of the “banning” of Christmas might welcome renaming some events as a way of reducing the commercialisation of your beloved religious festival.

My kids are now 30 and 28 and their Christmas party was changed to holiday party that long ago to make it inclusive.

Yes, my thoughts too.

And not if they are a same sex couple and want a church wedding.

@OneNewLeader so by your logic we can prohibit or ‘ban’ whatever we like and for no good reason as we are sure they’ll learn about it elsewhere? What kind of message does that give? So be British, accept change and bury your head in the sand.

OP, you may find it helpful to look at the government guidance on Religious Education and Collective Worship in Schools, published on Gov.uk. You mention parties, but, for (most) state schools, the required daily act of collective worship should be of a wholly or mainly broadly Christian character.

This has been the case at my childs primary for years. It's 'Festive' rather than Christmas as an overall theme. However, they do still do some 'Christmas' related things.
I think i got used to this years ago in workplaces where they started to send out festive greetings, rather than Christmas.
I am not sure what I think about it tbh. Being an athiest, I am not actually that bothered by it. Although I do remember Christmas at school being a special time, nativities and baby Jesus, attending the local church as a school for a special sermon, it does hold lovely memories. But also, yeah it's not inclusive to even athiests.
Editing to add that peoppe of No religion are the largest group in the uk, 46 to 48 percent. So really, nearly half the class are likely of no religion.

Well the OP worked a treat - lots of frothing over a non-issue.

It's that time of year for fake news stories about councils banning the word Christmas or Christmas festivites isn't it? Assume OP's 'friend' is winding them up

@Momtotwokids that’s great but the month before were they openly celebrating a Diwali or Songkran Festival too without restricting those names? And regardless of when it happened does that still make it okay? ALL should be celebrated equally. You can’t always please everyone and in those instances you should try to please the majority or you face an even bigger backlash. The head hasn’t sent out a letter regarding this change and I doubt she will as she knows it will cause her even bigger problems.

I don't believe this for one minute, I live in an area where at the last count there were 57 languages spoken and Christmas is a big thing in the schools round here. Little girl down the road (Muslim family) sang in the choir at the school's carol concert last year. Diwali is big round here as is Eid but Christmas is the biggest.

Then it should have been a festive party instead of a Divali one.
If everyone else's celebrations are marked by name but Christian celebrations have to be given "generic" names then it hurts Christians.
And, believe it or not, there are still a few of us about.

Yeah it's ridiculous, should all be inclusive. The majority of the children will be celebrating Christmas.
I'm annoyed that our school is doing a "Christmas performance" where they have to act out a "family member" over doing a classic Nativity play. Quite frankly, I'd rather my family not to be acted out for all to see.