Rolf Harris songs in primary school??

[Fitzybelle]

My DH says I'm being ridiculous but I am feeling a bit uncomfortable about my 5yo DD being taught christmas songs in school which are written and performed by Rolf Harris. Of course, to her and her friends it's just a fun song, but should a primary school be championing his work given his conviction?

Some Rolf Harris Songs were sung by him but written by and sung by other performers first.
Are theses songs those?

Which songs are you talking about?

As long as they don't invite him in for a live performance they'll all be fine.

Rolf Harris composed

Happy Birthday Father Christmas
The Little Robin
The Magic Pudding
Turkey Strut

is it one of those?

Do the kids know who wrote the songs (which they're performing themselves)? I'm not sure this qualifies as 'championing his work'. You can have the same sort of debate in loftier circles about Wagner etc, it's not a daft question, but I tend to disassociate the work from the author.

Sorry, but your DH is right!

I'm with you, OP. Just a feeling. I found myself singing one of his songs to my dgd the other day and then felt icky.

Tbh if no where ever played songs written or sung by someone who has an unsavoury past they'd be no music ever.

but I do see your point .It does seem rather uncomfortable knowing what he has done.

least RH now has zero influence on people. u like the likes of 1D and just in Bieber who are not the kind of person you want your children to look up to yet are played at every kids party without a second thought.

Grew up with Rolf Harris in the '70s and Jake the Peg is now in the bin.

There are plenty of other songs they could choose; it seems rather odd and bad planning to go for those just now.

Is it 6 white boomers? I had my entire year 1 class perform that at Christmas a few years ago

I think you can love the songs while loathing the man. Kids can enjoy them without getting into what he did. There's a lot of unsavoury history in composition. I vaguely recall Berlioz planned to murder a love rival, for example. One thing you might want to check is the destination of any royalties for live performance rights. I'd balk at the thought that any money was going to the guy despite my view that the man should be separated from his songs.

I think there are lots of other songs they could do. It may be that the teacher in charge isn't aware?

Fitzy:

I get that this is a bit 'Oooohh?' - but I'm not exactly comfortable with Michael Jackson songs and if you start thinking through songs:

Amazing Grace is a point in case - Wikipedia summary: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazing_Grace - written by a former slave trader and now a much loved spiritual - especially in Gospel circles.

Life is complicated. People are complicated. But I think you have to see some good in everybody - else there's no hope really.

I think Amazing Grace is partly fabulous because it was written by a former slave trader. He was then an abolitionist and thats why he writes "who can save a wretch like me", he meant it!

But I agree about Wagner etc.
I'd probably mention it to the teacher and check they had thought about it - but it might be the best/only fit.

I'm with you op, I wouldn't want my children singing anything he wrote. Same goes for sparkle box resources, I asked school not to use any with my children. They asked me why, they didn't know the connection and stopped using them throughout the school.

I would feel uncomfortable with it.

As mummytime says Amazing Grace is completely different (and is a brilliant song) in that it is about a former slave trader and how he realizes he is a terrible person and needs God's grace.

As long as it isn't one then she will probably not ever realise.