As a parent that has sent his child to this school,I know it and its' teachers well and their dedication to their pupils. If most sensible parents gave this school's decision the slightest thought they would realise the common sense in it.

A few parents with their children at this school, neglecting the impact that this practice has on both the school and the environment have taken it upon themselves to make mischief for the school and its' teachers and got the local Rochdale Observer Newspaper involved. This scurrilous newpaper looking yet again for a cheap headline, dedicated a lurid front page to the story.

Following the Rochdale Observer's story the national sleaze papers ran with their corruption of the real story and a hue and cry went out condemning this school. Since then the school and its' teachers have been subjected to a stream of violent hate-mail and threats!

Thank you Healey Primary School, Rochdale for using your common sense. Best wishes for 2008.

   What is the world coming to? We have to change our beliefs to accommodate everyone else. We are a Christian country and if people coming to the country to live, either adapt or practice their faith in the comforts of their home and not complain. What is that famous saying. "When in Rome, do what the Romans do" Take heed.

   To mandy40 Are you a racist ?????? after all you repeatedly mention asians... yet Asians were NOT mentioned by ANY parents of the school regarding the xmas cards. Learn to read the articles thoroughly before writing your spat.

   Hi Chris.

My point was the local rag was contacted by concerned parents and this issue was rightly addressed by the local rag and equaly was solved in Saturdays issue by the local rag who ran a story on the nativity.

So the good reputaion of Healey primary remains.

Happy Christmas to all at Healey primary and the local rag.

And may i end this by saying Stop blaming asians.

   Mandy40. Healey Primary HAVE NOT banned Christmas cards. Please don't believe everything you read in the paper. The school's "perfect little existence" will live on and will not be affected by one SATURDAY article. I'm sure sensible prospective parents will be more interested in their OFSTED report than a non story featured in the local "rag".

   This is wrong. Children should be taught that in a democracy they have the right to express seasonal greeting to however they wish. They must never be taught that the state (in this case their teachers) have the right to forbid this. Freedom of expression if the most basic of human rights which should be defended by us all.

   Peter Price.

Whats first choice's problem with the sally army?

One would think they'd be greatful for a bit of life outside their dull office.

Perhaps the staff are more into "Club Tropicana" or, "OH i'm going to Ibiza". Or, "Copacabana"

With thier prices i'm afraid i will be listening to the salvation army in Rochdale town centre this year.

They do a good job , unlike some travel companies.

   mum_of_2 you accuse the parents who phoned the Observer as being cowards because they remained anonymous so what is your exuse?

They had every right to call the observer regarding this madness, and the observer have every right to print this story then we can decide what school we send our kids to.

Are you embarrassed by any chance that your children attend a school )God forbid) has been exposed as Bah humbugs in the local paper?

Perfect little existence came crashing down in one Wednesday article.

Well never mind at least you will be prepared for Easter.

Eggs next.....

   Readers of this articel might like to know that Healy Primary SChool are not the only Bah Humbug Proponents.

First class Honours in this subject also goes to First Choice Travel Agents in the Town Centre Shopping Mall. Who found the Christmas Carols being played there by the Salvation Army Band not to their taste, and promptly complained. Not that they had the Guts to complain to the Band themselves, no they directed the complaint to the Centre Management! When you've got some Bah Humbugs to give away - Best let somebody else do it eh?

First Choice customers who did appreciate the playing might like to make their feelings known: To the Agency, To the Agencies Office, To the Observer, To the Band?

   What a disgrace, the parents that got in touch with you should at least have the bottle to give their names,, or is this because they are ashamed of what they have done.... what good role models you are to your kids, after all your teaching them to lie to newspapers, upset a whole school and in fact a community.... DO YOU FEEL PROUD..... maybe you should find another school ! You owe Mrs Taylor and all the pupils an apology

   Scoobysu are you making this a racist issue? Of course Healey primary has a christmas tree and lights displayed. I certainly do not believe this desision was made because it would upset asian pupils.

Why do people always have to think that deep? Asians have no problem with Christmas. It's the pc lefty brigade who decide what asian people should be offended by, not Asian people themselves.

   I am proud to say that both my children attend Healey. My eldest has been there nearly 7 years and I have NOTHING but praise for the school and all its staff. As for comments like "The Head should be ashamed" and "Mrs Grinch" you people have quite clearly never had the pleasure of meeting the Head teacher. She is a fantastic teacher and a lovely person and the warm environment and family atmosphere at Healey Primary is a result of the hard work and deddication she gives to the school and its pupils.

I for one thought it was a good idea to send one card to the whole class. My youngest is 5 and getting him to remember 30 names and write out 30 cards takes ages and would probably result in him losing half of them. The suggestion to send one card which could be displayed in school and enjoyed by all the children was much better. As for the older children they had no problem giving cards out in the yard before school to best friends.

To the person who contacted the Observer anonymously - Have you failed to notice the Christmas trees in classrooms and lights and Christmas pictures on the windows? Do you not take the time to listen to the Christmas songs your child has been busy learning? You said "this makes me think that the spirit of Christmas has gone completely." Exactly where is your Christmas spirit? Are you happy with the trouble you have caused for YOUR childs school? Im sure you will be sat in the school hall at some point this week watching the Christmas play. The word hypocrite comes to mind.

   How much time does it take to pass an xmas card to another kid?

Not exaclly going to miss their GCSE'S are they?

Who made this silly decision Mrs Grinch?

   As a supply teacher working at Healey Primary School at the moment I would like to say that in all my 37 years of working in Rochdale schools,I have never been in a school that promotes the true message of Christmas more effectively than Healey. The older children were outraged and truly upset by the biased report in Saturday's Observer. But thankfully the wealth of Christmas activities they are enjoying at the moment will soon dismiss the meanness of your attack upon their school. As an adult I remain concerned because of your insidious and devisive quoting of one parent, who thought there was an element of not wanting to offend non Christians.This is blatantly not an issue and never will be! All the children at school take full part in Christian Carol Services and Nativity plays. Indeed Muslim children and their parents revere Jesus (or Isa )as a prophet. Children are taught to understand and respect all religions. What was your agenda in quoting an ill-informed viewpoint, which was at best ignorant and at worst designed to stir up ill- feeling? The Observer has made a serious error and owes all at Healey Primary a sincere apology. Finally I would like to assure all concerned, cards are not banned and never were. Margaret Powsey

   Will the school ban pupils giving the teachers christmas gifts. I imagine this takes up teaching time too.