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teacher sacked for telling children that Santa does not exist

56 replies

wannaBe · 12/12/2008 15:09

here

OP posts:
snowleopard · 12/12/2008 15:17

I think it's interesting that they chose that headline when she was not sacked, she did not lose her job as a supply teacher - she was just asked not to go back to that school. And if she is sacked for telling the truth to 7-year-olds she should bloody well go to court about it.

I know it was insensitive, but they were 7! It might not be desirable but I would certainly not be trying to re-convince them otherwise after this. Surely most 7yos can figure out there's something extremely fishy about the santa story?

And what annoys me is the suggestion that once a child knows the truth, christmas is ruined / they can no longer enjoy the "magic of christmas". What rubbish. Christmas can still be fun even if you do suspect/know it's all a bit of a game or a nice story. Wringing of hands and weeping and wailing because you think your 7-year-old can't cope with the truth, now that might put a damper on things.

2AdventSevenfoldShoes · 12/12/2008 15:27

snowleopard well said

pagwatch · 12/12/2008 15:30

I think I would have no problem with her returning to the school after saying there is no santa.

But I would have concerns about my DD being taught by someone who clearly has not an ounce of common sense.

It is a pretty 'duh' thing to do really. She may well be right. But she remains a bit of a dimwit

Lemontart · 12/12/2008 15:37

title is misleading. However, I would not want that supply teacher back either. Her actions show a huge lack of awareness and sensitivity. It was not her place to say that and I totally understand why parents were cross. I would wonder what subject she would start discussing next. Schools choose not to have certain supply teachers back for all sorts of reasons all the time. When I ran a large department, I know I requested the non return of several duff supply teachers. Nothing new in this, just an emotive topic that the media have grabbed onto.

Perhaps more interesting if the lack of comment by the paper on the actions of the permanent member of staff. If were one of those parents, I would be more annoyed at the way it was handled by that person than the stupid blundering "honesty" of the supply teacher.

It is a tricky subject and different children need the topic handling in different ways. My 7 yr old suspects and we are treading a fine line in helping her keep a little magic going while gently steering her to the idea that things to not need to be "really real" for it to be fun and magical. With a younger child in the house, we are a little careful what we say. Never wish to lie or deceive, yet appreciate the fun that a bit of belief in magic is quite healthy.

AuraofDora · 12/12/2008 15:44

i think the parents are kidding themselves tbh..the kids are 7 !
at 4 most of them have worked it out and play along cause of mum and dad ...

and the headline could easily have been 'teacher who told the truth asked not to return to our classroom'

maybe it was not her place to say but i think also that she probably assumed, quite rightly in most cases, that they were more worldy wise than their parents give them credit for

sparklyxmasfairy · 12/12/2008 15:46

we watched this in the news last night and thought there were over the top reactions it is not as if she lied to the children, tactless perhaps but they are 7

thenewme · 12/12/2008 15:50

My 7 year old believes.

mrsruffallo · 12/12/2008 15:50

Lots of 7 yr olds still believe in Father Christmas.
It's not up to her to assume they all know the truth.
I would be annoyed if one of my dc were in her class

snowleopard · 12/12/2008 15:50

Also it's kind of ironic how much coverage this has been given. I wonder how many more "innocent" children will now twig because of this and have their christmas "ruined" ...

HaventSleptForAYear · 12/12/2008 15:50

I agree that surely at 4 most kids have worked it out.

DS1 (4) said to me a couple of days ago "it's just pretend mummy, isn't it?" and I breathed a huge sigh of relief because I didn't want to lie to him but he has an active imagination and is happy to pretend but that's a far as it goes.

As as teacher I would be just as uncomfortable doing the "santa" myth as teaching religion.

(Lucky I teach English then!)

Lemontart · 12/12/2008 15:55

perhaps our rural village is a bit behind then! All parents agreed last year that the kids in my DD1?s class believed or might suspect a little but were not challenging it. They were 6/7. Her class of 7/8 are a bit more mixed but still trying their best to believe.
I think it is really sad if many 4 yr olds are losing the magic and ability to believe. They are so young. Maybe I am old fashioned but I am so glad my 5 and 7 yr old are not too cynical about it all just yet.

mrsruffallo · 12/12/2008 15:56

Nope, Lemontart, you are not behind.
I am in London and know many 7 yr olds who still believe.

LedodgyChristmasjumper · 12/12/2008 15:57

IME four is when they start to understand about Christmas and believe not don't believe! I live in a big city and all the seven year olds I know stil believe.

snowleopard · 12/12/2008 15:57

I'm amazed that a 7yo can still believe it. Surely if a 7yo does still appear to believe it, it's probably just because they are hiding the truth from their parents? It is obvious nonsense and not possible. When I was growing up we didn't even have a chimney fgs. I don't think I ever thought it was the actual truth - I thought it was a magical and exciting story, and enjoyed it a lot, but at some level i knew it was wibble, certainly by 4. Today kids are supposed to be sooo much more sophisticated and savvy as well.

thenewme · 12/12/2008 15:58

Doesn't mean that aren't. And surely kids shouldn't be sophisticated anyway.

McDreamyingofawhiteXmas · 12/12/2008 16:00

4? DD is nearly 6 and she still believes but I'm not sure how much longer this will go on for - think this might be our last Xmas!

snowleopard · 12/12/2008 16:05

But why is it so sad and dreadful when the penny drops? Why does that diminish things? Isn't it good that children have questioning minds and can be grown up enough to shake off this myth? I know many adults, who are fully in the know, still find Christmas magical and enchanting - even I do to an extent and as you can see I'm a cynical old bat. So why the tragedy? Oh it annoys me. (Though I do have pmt I suspect... and will go now)

AuraofDora · 12/12/2008 16:05

HSFAY
my 4 year old has dropped big hints he thinks that its a load of old baloney..

apparently it is quite common for the kids to keep schtum so not to spoil it for the parents... and I am not comfortable telling lies or for some stranger to get all the credit for bringing gifts

i myself DID beleive til 7, mainly cause i'm gullible my sister had full on campaign to keep me believing mainly to make me look foolish i think..i stood infront of my whole class aged 7 crying saying it was true
the teacher took me aside as the class all hissed "its yer mum and dad"

crikey, please be real they are NOT daft..even though i was!

beanieb · 12/12/2008 16:05

I was 6 when I worked it out. I just kept quiet incase my parents stopped the presents.

I hate this idea of 'parent power' where perfectly good educators are got rid of over some hysterical arsery!

LedodgyChristmasjumper · 12/12/2008 16:06

Because believing that magic exists is a lovely part of childhood and one that should be cherished imo.

GreenEggsAndSpam · 12/12/2008 16:08

I think it is a good thing children of 7 still believe in santa. They grow up far too quickly as it is. I think it is a credit to my parenting that my 7 year old is still 'childish' enough to believe in magic at Christmas. They have long enough to deal with life's realities.
As for the teacher, her response does imo show a lack of judgement. Not a sackable offence, but I can understand the parent's and the head's response.

thenewme · 12/12/2008 16:09

I agree GEAS and LCJ.

GreenEggsAndSpam · 12/12/2008 16:12

Quick apols for the rogue apostrophe

clumsymum · 12/12/2008 16:12

Well ds is 9 (a very bright 9 at that), and I was certain that the charade would be all over this year.

But we have an advent calendar that we fill with chocolates every year, telling him Santa's elves do it.
Over the last couple of weeks we have had 2 conversations, which show me that he fully, truly believes that the elves come and put the chocs in the calendar, and are watching how things go behaviour-wise in the run-up to Christmas.

I'm really pleased (and amazed) that the magic is still there. If he asks me outright, then I'll tell him the truth, but until he does, I want him to carry on believing.

pigleto · 12/12/2008 16:14

It is not a teachers job to be mean to children and make them cry. Some teachers seem to forget this.