Browse Sections

Interactive

Popular Sections

Weather

Partly cloudy

Personal Finance

Balance Transfer

Card	Typical APR

Virgin Credit Card	16.6%
Barclaycard Platinum	15.9%
NatWest Platinum	16.9%
Royal Bank of Scotland Platinum	16.9%
Egg Card	16.9%

Customers with a 'good' credit profile

Company

Typical APR

Platinum Exclusive	7.8%
Sainsbury's Personal Loan	7.9%
Alliance & Leicester	7.9%

Fees may apply

News

| Submit Comments | Comments (25) | « Previous Story | Next Story »

Healey Primary School

School bans Christmas cards

Alice McKeegan

December 07, 2007

CHRISTMAS cards are being banned at a primary school to avoid tears and tantrums in the playground.

A letter was sent to parents of pupils at Healey Primary School informing them that children should only send one card to the whole class to avoid any ‘disappointment’.

A number of concerned parents contacted the Observer to condemn the move.

One parent, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “For small children, sending cards is a big part of Christmas.

“It should be a lovely time for them but this makes me think that the spirit of Christmas has gone completely.

“It’s political correctness gone mad and it’s ridiculous. The parents are up in arms about it and we’re very annoyed.

“How can you ban children from sending Christmas cards to their friends?

“Sending cards is all about bridge-building, making new friends and celebrating the friendships they’ve already made.

“Christmas is all about giving, not receiving but the spirit of Christmas has disappeared.

“A lot of the parents think that it’s because the school doesn’t want to offend non-Christian pupils but this situation has ended up offending most parents.

Rumours began circulating in the school playground and was confirmed when the letter was sent to all parents on Monday and Tuesday.

Another concerned mother added: “I’m absolutely speechless.

“It makes you wonder if birthday party invites will be banned as well for fear of upsetting children who don’t get invited. It’s ruining their Christmas.”

Another parent echoed these concerns, adding: “The children are all friends and Christmas should be an exciting time for them but now they’re very upset.

“They can’t even send them to their best friends.

“If the school had decided to ban Christmas cards for environmental reasons then I’m sure the parents could have thought of ways to recycle the cards.

“The children are really upset and they’ve taken the message literally.

“They’re only young and some of them are frightened to send Christmas cards at all because the school’s told them they can’t send them to each other.

“I’m mad, upset, angry and disappointed that they’ve done this.”

A spokeswoman for Healey Primary School said: “We are not being mean or Christmas Scrooges.

“It takes a lot of time to give out the cards and we are trying to be more practical this year. It has an impact on teaching time.

“The parents have asked for class lists and we can’t give these out for data protection reasons.

“If it doesn’t work well and the children are upset then we will look at doing something else next year.”

| Submit Comments | Comments (25) | « Previous Story | Next Story »

Most recent user comments 25 of 25

1 Show 25 | 50 per page

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.

S.Claus, N.Pole
7/01/2008 at 12:17

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.

roses
28/12/2007 at 00:23

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.

mum of 2, rochdale
21/12/2007 at 01:08

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
17/12/2007 at 23:53

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".

Chris Mas
15/12/2007 at 21:58

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.

Henry Kelly Expat (Ireland), Irealnd
15/12/2007 at 03:34

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.

mandy40
12/12/2007 at 22:33

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.....

mandy40
12/12/2007 at 22:21

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?

Peter Price
12/12/2007 at 15:30

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

mum of 2, rochdale
12/12/2007 at 00:58

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.

mandy40
11/12/2007 at 20:22

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.

Scoobysu, Whitworth
11/12/2007 at 10:43

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?

mandy40
10/12/2007 at 21:06

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

Margaret Powsey
10/12/2007 at 19:18

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

carol collins
10/12/2007 at 10:59

in response to your story i would like to point out that some comments are somewhat inaccurate. firstly,Christmas cards are NOT banned. Secondly,all children have not been upset,maybe just children of parents who have neglected to explain the reasons behind the decision not to distribute cards during lesson times. one parent said in your article that children cannot even send cards to their best friends but as i understand it the children are free to distribute cards in break times or before and after school. I do believe that parents could have been consulted before making this decision,maybe we could have worked out a system where WE could volunteer to run the postbox system before and after school,thus causing less disruption to the childrens school day as possible,but the school spokesperson has stated they are willing to look at a different system for next year. Above all, Healey primary and its first rate staff have always been approachable and interested in putting the children first,creating close relationships with parents and siblings of their pupils and i think they have done an excellent job of making us all feel like part of a community. My 3 children have or do attend Healey and after all they have done for every pupil i think the least we can do in return is approach the school directly if we have any concerns.

ceam
9/12/2007 at 21:31

its a good idea why should kids worry about buying cards and recieving them , my 6 year old asks every year i say no as i dont send cards its a waste of money when folk are starving in this world , give the money to charity and tell your kids to say happy christmas instead.it is nothing to do with religion before the biggots start with there poison...as jesus or jesu as he is known in islam is also in the koran.

Anglosaxon, Norden
9/12/2007 at 20:47

I can't believe the Observer has run this as a front page article when the person who has brought this to your attention wants to remain anonymous. The word coward comes to mind. The school does some wonderful work and aims to make sure that all children that leave the school are good rounded individuals which I see has no mention in your article. The school fully supports Christmas with a number of activities being held over the festive season. As a working Mum the thought of writing cards to the whole class is not one I relish. I fully support the decision to ask children to send one card to the class. I would rather my daughter have quality teaching time than spends hours dishing out cards. The parents who have complained should start living in the real world. The Observer has certainly gone down in my estimation, lets hope next week you report some real news.

Yo, rochdale
9/12/2007 at 20:04

You claim, on the front page of your Saturday issue(December 8th), that your newspaper and, presumably, your editorial team, wishes to 'Bring back the Spirit of Christmas'. I would respectfully suggest that the phrase 'physician heal thyself' would fit your hypocritical stance. Christmas is the season of goodwill, the spirit of which is summed up in the motto 'Peace on Earth to all mankind'. It is a pity you could not have exercised some of that Christmas goodwill towards the school named in your dubiously authenticated article, not to mention the excellent, caring staff engaged there. I do not have any children at the school but I do have a grandaughter there and I have to say that I have always been impressed with the fully 'inclusive attitude' which they manifest in their dealings with ALL their charges. The story you put out, I would venture to suggest, is no better than a work of fiction designed, not to report the news but to manufacture it when you have nothing more sensational to report. Your main 'alleged' complainant chooses to remain anonymous which suggests to me that either he or she, at worst, does not really exist or, at best, has not said what your article reports him or her to have said verbatim or he or she lacks any semblance of 'courage of conviction' and displays 'a lack of moral fibre'. In any case, you have totally misrepresented the context of the letter sent to parents and the only decent thing for you to do is to publicly apologise, in you next issue, firstly for your sensationalist, insulting banner headline, 'HUMBUG', but more importantly for your completely unjustified attack on the school and its very worthy staff. I trust you will enjoy a very Happy Christmas.

John Callaghan
9/12/2007 at 19:39

I cant belive this school has applied this rule in a week where G.M.T.V have been highlighting schools all over the country are stopping nativity play's hospital is turning beds to face east. Christmas is for our kid's and this should not be allowed to be stopped. They could arrange an hour before school or after assembly but where is democrocy. No one is given choices anymore we are just told how it is. My childr school gave a list out and it worked well. Stop all this upsetting people rubbish and get back to enjoying christmas as it was. Fun family togetherness unselfish one day of the year to all come together. N lets go back to freedom of choice.. This school could have done a vote and asked parents but i think they knew the answer so they just applied the ban outrageous

F.A.B, ROCHDALE
9/12/2007 at 01:20

Are this school saying the children can't celebrate their faith, Christmas should be celebrated!

Connor Barrett, Heywood
8/12/2007 at 18:28

absolutley pathetic!!! all other schools manage to distribute cards without affecting teaching time!! what a lame excuse the gead teacher should be ashamed!

knoxy, rochdale
8/12/2007 at 12:27

Whether I agree with Healey Primary Schools recent suggestion on Christmas card distribution or not, I fail to see how such a minor issue warrants front page coverage on the Rochdale Observer.

All three of my children have attended Healey Primary school and my youngest child still attends, this has meant continual involvement with the school from 1995 to today and I have been delighted with the school in every way. One proposal regarding Christmas cards will not be changing my view.

I also feel that if any child attending the school really wants to send a Christmas card to a best friend the school will have helped them develop the common sense to be able to do so outside of the school’s teaching hours.

Finally I’m sure that all Observer readers would like to join me in wishing the children of Healey Primary all the best in the many carol singing events, Xmas plays and Xmas parties that the school have no doubt been preparing for over the past months with little parent intervention or media coverage.

Ian Alletson, Parent

Ian Alletson
8/12/2007 at 10:18

A shambles, note to pupils - give them to their friends outside the gates then they can't bother you, it's off their grounds

Connor Barrett, Heywood
7/12/2007 at 16:44

I am a parent from Healey Primary and am a bit disappointed by the Observer for not digging further into the story. Most parents I have talked to are fine with the situation and the children hand out their Christmas cards in the morning before school. I would rather my child be in school learning reading, writing and arithmatics then sitting waiting for the cards to be handed out. I don't think a small minory of parents should have front page stories printed about something that they didn't even have the intitiative to contact the school and ask for further details. Healey Primary is a great school with great teachers who put a lot of hard work and effort into their job with a very good Ofsted Report. I think the whole thing has been blown totally out of proportion.

Rachelle Compton
7/12/2007 at 16:43

1 Show 25 | 50 per page

Add Your Comments

Loading poll, please wait...

Rochdale's definitive entertainment guide.

Search and rate restaurants in Rochdale

Search and rate bars and pubs in Rochdale

Rochdale Observer

Site navigation