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2008-12-11 08:18:35 UTC
Teacher tells tots there’s no Santa
Reporter: RICHARD HOOTON
Date online: 10/12/2008
FURIOUS parents say the magic of Christmas was ruined after a scrooge
teacher told tearful children Santa Claus doesn’t exist.
The class of around 25 seven-year-olds at Blackshaw Lane Primary
School, Royton, were distraught after the substitute teacher informed
them that it was mums and dads who leave out presents on Christmas
Day. Parents have complained about the incident and were sent a letter
by the school saying the teacher has been disciplined over the gaffe.
One dad told the Evening Chronicle: “My son came home and said that
his substitute teacher had told the class that Santa doesn’t exist and
it’s your mum and dad that put out presents for them.
“Apparently, they were all talking about Christmas and being a bit
rowdy. She just came straight out with it. “He was nearly in tears —
and so close to Christmas. I thought it was wrong. “He was distraught
about it. He’s only seven-years-old and it’s part of the magic of
Christmas to him. “We told him that she did not believe in Father
Christmas because of her religion and he’s fine now. “I found it
shocking. She has done it maliciously. “A lot of parents were
disgusted and complained to the school. If she was a regular teacher
then I think a lot more would have been done.”
Headteacher Angela McCormick refused to comment on the incident.
Oldham Council’s service director for children, young people and
families, Janet Doherty, said: “This is a matter for the individual
school to resolve. “We have every confidence that the head will deal
with it sensitively and appropriately.”
http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/8/news/17466/teacher-tells-tots-theres-no-santa
This sort of story appears somewhere in the UK every year but what
should catch the eye in this article is the line.
“We told him that she did not believe in Father Christmas because of
her religion and he’s fine now. "
This morning I was told about this story and the Oldham Evening
Chronicle was not going to print it only for the Oldham Advertiser to
get in on the act must have changed their minds. I was also told that
the supply teacher was a young Asian female teacher this got me
thinking what would happen if these children called their Teddies
Mohamed, just to show fairness this is the Oldham Advertiser take on
the story.
Reporter: RICHARD HOOTON
Date online: 10/12/2008
FURIOUS parents say the magic of Christmas was ruined after a scrooge
teacher told tearful children Santa Claus doesn’t exist.
The class of around 25 seven-year-olds at Blackshaw Lane Primary
School, Royton, were distraught after the substitute teacher informed
them that it was mums and dads who leave out presents on Christmas
Day. Parents have complained about the incident and were sent a letter
by the school saying the teacher has been disciplined over the gaffe.
One dad told the Evening Chronicle: “My son came home and said that
his substitute teacher had told the class that Santa doesn’t exist and
it’s your mum and dad that put out presents for them.
“Apparently, they were all talking about Christmas and being a bit
rowdy. She just came straight out with it. “He was nearly in tears —
and so close to Christmas. I thought it was wrong. “He was distraught
about it. He’s only seven-years-old and it’s part of the magic of
Christmas to him. “We told him that she did not believe in Father
Christmas because of her religion and he’s fine now. “I found it
shocking. She has done it maliciously. “A lot of parents were
disgusted and complained to the school. If she was a regular teacher
then I think a lot more would have been done.”
Headteacher Angela McCormick refused to comment on the incident.
Oldham Council’s service director for children, young people and
families, Janet Doherty, said: “This is a matter for the individual
school to resolve. “We have every confidence that the head will deal
with it sensitively and appropriately.”
http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/8/news/17466/teacher-tells-tots-theres-no-santa
This sort of story appears somewhere in the UK every year but what
should catch the eye in this article is the line.
“We told him that she did not believe in Father Christmas because of
her religion and he’s fine now. "
This morning I was told about this story and the Oldham Evening
Chronicle was not going to print it only for the Oldham Advertiser to
get in on the act must have changed their minds. I was also told that
the supply teacher was a young Asian female teacher this got me
thinking what would happen if these children called their Teddies
Mohamed, just to show fairness this is the Oldham Advertiser take on
the story.