Primary School Cancels Easter Celebration to Promote Inclusivity

[Social Media]

 

A primary school has decided to cancel its annual Easter celebration and service to ensure it respects the diverse religious beliefs of its pupils, a move that has sparked criticism online. Some social media users questioned whether Christmas would be next on the list of cancellations.  

 

Norwood Primary School in Eastleigh, Hampshire, informed parents and carers via a letter that the traditional Easter Bonnet Parade and Easter Service would not be held this year. Headteacher Stephanie Mander explained in the letter that this decision was made in the spirit of inclusivity.  

 

“By not holding specific religious celebrations, we aim to create a more inclusive atmosphere that honours and respects the beliefs of all our children and their families,” she stated.  

 

Norwood Primary School is a mixed, non-religious institution for pupils aged three to eleven. The announcement triggered a wave of reactions online, with one commenter asking: “Is Miss Mander preparing to cancel Christmas as well?” Another individual shared their disapproval in a local Facebook group, saying: “I would have thought it best to celebrate everything, not nothing.”  

 

Others expressed confusion over the decision, noting that Easter events had always been optional. One person remarked: “I don’t get it personally. It’s an experience that’s in walking distance of the school. Parents have always been given the option to not attend.”  

 

Acknowledging the disappointment the decision might cause, Miss Mander stated: “We understand that this change may be disappointing for some, especially those who have cherished these traditions over the years. However, we believe that this decision aligns with our values of inclusivity and respect for diversity.”  

 

She also reassured parents that the school is considering alternative ways to mark the season in the future in a way that reflects the cultural diversity of the community. Additionally, she noted that the school would be celebrating Refugee Week in June.  

 

According to the school’s website, it recognizes and celebrates significant cultural and religious events throughout the year, including Eid, Diwali, Christmas, and Easter. The site states: “At these times the school welcomes in members of the wider school community to lead assemblies and learning activities with the children to share their beliefs with them.”  

 

Norwood Primary School received an overall “good” rating in an Ofsted inspection in September 2024, although it was rated as requiring improvement in the category of “outcomes for children and learners.”

 

Based on a report by The Telegraph  2025-03-25

 

 

[mikeymike100]

"She also reassured parents that the school is considering alternative ways to mark the season in the future in a way that reflects the cultural diversity of the community. Additionally, she noted that the school would be celebrating Refugee Week in June."

 

So Easter is canceled and they are going to celebrate 'refugee week', now that speaks volumes about how things are going down hill in the UK!

[Freddy42OZ]

Good. 

Stop brainwashing children to believe in nonsense.

[JonnyF]

Inclusive.

 

By excluding a Christian celebration.

 

Sounds about right...

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, Social Media said:

Norwood Primary School is a mixed, non-religious institution for pupils aged three to eleven.

Well there you go.

 

 

[Bert got kinky]

10 minutes ago, Freddy42OZ said:

Good. 

Stop brainwashing children to believe in nonsense.

 

I have to agree with this, we were forced fed this trash at school.

We were forced to say prayers and sing the praises of the pretend sky wizard during every morning assembly, in spite of religious beliefs (or none religious beliefs).

 

 

[Bert got kinky]

 

The announcement triggered a wave of reactions online

I wonder how many of these 'online reactors' actually attend church on Sundays.

[JonnyF]

6 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Well there you go.

 

 

 

What are the school's official links to refugees?

 

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2031145/school-cancels-easter-inclusivity

 

[ChicagoExpat]

28 minutes ago, Freddy42OZ said:

Good. 

Stop brainwashing children to believe in nonsense.

The intellectual has entered the conversation.

[Chomper Higgot]

2 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

What are the school's official links to refugees?

 

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2031145/school-cancels-easter-inclusivity

 

A bit of a strawman there Jonny.

 

The school is non religious and has removed a religious celebration, get over it or send your kids to a CofE school.

 

 

[JonnyF]

Just now, Chomper Higgot said:

A bit of a strawman there Jonny.

 

The school is non religious and has removed a religious celebration, get over it or send your kids to a CofE school.

 

 

 

The school has no more links to refugees than it does to Easter.

 

So why celebrate one and not the other?

 

Not very inclusive. Quite the opposite in fact. 

 

Should they cancel Christmas as well?

[Geoffggi]

38 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

The school has no more links to refugees than it does to Easter.

 

So why celebrate one and not the other?

 

Not very inclusive. Quite the opposite in fact. 

 

Should they cancel Christmas as well?

 

To make things equal they should ban all forms of religious celebrations & teachings 

[sungod]

1 hour ago, mikeymike100 said:

"She also reassured parents that the school is considering alternative ways to mark the season in the future in a way that reflects the cultural diversity of the community. Additionally, she noted that the school would be celebrating Refugee Week in June."

 

So Easter is canceled and they are going to celebrate 'refugee week', now that speaks volumes about how things are going down hill in the UK!

 

Maybe they are simply playing to their audience?

 

Given the <deleted> tip the UK is becoming, there are probably no christian kids in the school. Like everything else in the UK it has probably been taken over by refugees and 'asylum seekers' . A bit like the doctor's surgeries, hospitals and benefits offices.

 

 

 

[sungod]

45 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

The school has no more links to refugees than it does to Easter.

 

 

Apart from being full on them maybe?

[JonnyF]

3 minutes ago, Geoffggi said:

 

To make things equal they should ban all forms of religious celebrations & teachings 

 

Would you expect the same of a school in the middle east? They should ban Islamic celebrations? Should they also ban Buddhist celebrations in Thailand so as to not offend us expats or Christian/Islamic Thais?

 

Or does this only apply to those bad Western countries?

 

Britain is a Christian country. People who are offended by that are free to go back to whatever place they came from.  

[jippytum]

Another example of authorities in the UK Supporting the Muslim influence. 

King Charles praised Muslims for their sacrifice during Ramadan but made no mention of Easter. 

[Chomper Higgot]

45 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

The school has no more links to refugees than it does to Easter.

 

So why celebrate one and not the other?

 

Not very inclusive. Quite the opposite in fact. 

 

Should they cancel Christmas as well?

I don’t know, I suspect you don’t either, but no connections to refugees seems a bit of a stretch for a school in a south coastal region.

 

[Chomper Higgot]

1 minute ago, JonnyF said:

 

Would you expect the same of a school in the middle east? They should ban Islamic celebrations? Should they also ban Buddhist celebrations in Thailand so as to not offend us expats or Christian/Islamic Thais?

 

Or does this only apply to those bad Western countries?

 

Britain is a Christian country. People who are offended by that are free to go back to whatever place they came from.  

I think you’ll agree, the English counties are not in the Middle East or Thailand.

 

 

[BangkokReady]

2 hours ago, Social Media said:

According to the school’s website, it recognizes and celebrates significant cultural and religious events throughout the year, including Eid, Diwali, Christmas, and Easter.

 

What are the chances that it's reducing the Christian festivals while maintaining or increasing the non-Christian ones?

 

Sounds like it's the old, "Diversity means non-White and non-Christian, and the less White Christians, the more diversity".  Seems like diversity doesn't quite mean what they say it does.

[Chomper Higgot]

8 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

 

What are the chances that it's reducing the Christian festivals while maintaining or increasing the non-Christian ones?

 

Sounds like it's the old, "Diversity means non-White and non-Christian, and the less White Christians, the more diversity".  Seems like diversity doesn't quite mean what they say it does.

It’s not a matter of chances, where’s your evidence that’s the case.

 

The school is a non religious institution, the only fairy stories it ought to engage in is stuff by the likes of the Brothers Grimm.

 

 

 

[BexMan]

I wonder how many Muslim Families with Children at the school would actually be offended? Living in a Christian country I suspect most would not be offended, and those that are may want to consider living elsewhere.

[JonnyF]

8 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

Seems like diversity doesn't quite mean what they say it does.

 

Much like "positive discrimination", Diversity has become a euphemism for discrimination against white Christians (ideally males). 

[JonnyF]

2 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The school is a non religious institution, the only fairy stories it ought to engage in is stuff by the likes of the Brothers Grimm.

 

 

No, those old fairy tales are non PC and promote misogyny and many "isms".😄

 

As a wokeist, you should know that.  

[BangkokReady]

3 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

It’s not a matter of chances, where’s your evidence that’s the case.

 

What are you talking about?  Your compulsion to disagree with people whom you perceive to have a viewpoint you dislike appears to cause you to make no sense at all.

 

Why would someone need "evidence" to ask "How likely do you think X is?"?

 

3 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The school is a non religious institution, the only fairy stories it ought to engage in is stuff by the likes of the Brothers Grimm.

 

It literally says that the school celebrates several different religious events.  If it celebrates non-Christian festivals, then it should celebrate Christian ones also.

 

You just spew garbage and make no sense.  Maybe finish your coffee, read posts properly, and engage your critical thinking before commenting.

[Bkk Brian]

Interesting, like Christmas in the UK, Easter is a National Public holiday yet this school is not acknowledging it. The OFSTED report is apparently ok apart from the most important part, the outcomes for children. No surprise there.

 

 

[Chomper Higgot]

8 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Much like "positive discrimination", Diversity has become a euphemism for discrimination against white Christians (ideally males). 

What about all those no. White Christians Jonny…. Ooops!

[Chomper Higgot]

10 minutes ago, BexMan said:

I wonder how many Muslim Families with Children at the school would actually be offended? Living in a Christian country I suspect most would not be offended, and those that are may want to consider living elsewhere.

It’s a non religious school.

 

Why do you, or indeed anyone, expect religious celebrations in a non religious school?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Geoffggi]

41 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Would you expect the same of a school in the middle east? They should ban Islamic celebrations? Should they also ban Buddhist celebrations in Thailand so as to not offend us expats or Christian/Islamic Thais?

 

Or does this only apply to those bad Western countries?

 

Britain is a Christian country. People who are offended by that are free to go back to whatever place they came from.  

 

Couldn't agree more, unfortunately the tree huggers are wanting to celebrate other forms but restricting the motherlands wishes, personally I am agnostic but agree with your final sentence 

[JAG]

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

A bit of a strawman there Jonny.

 

The school is non religious and has removed a religious celebration, get over it or send your kids to a CofE school.

 

 

Yet it claims on its website to celebrate Eid, Diwali, Christmas and Easter.

 

It is only a "strawman" (itself derived from a pagan celebration) if Eid and Diwali are also to be no longer acknowledged. That rather remains to be seen.

[Artisi]

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

 

The school has no more links to refugees than it does to Easter.

 

So why celebrate one and not the other?

 

Not very inclusive. Quite the opposite in fact. 

 

Should they cancel Christmas as well?

Along with all other religious celebrations they list on the website, that's being inclusive?