A primary school has backtracked on a controversial decision to ban students from participating in Kris Kringle amid concerns the holiday tradition was potentially offensive.
Shocked parents and carers at Eltham East Primary School, in Melbourne’s northwest, received a letter earlier this week declaring a ban on the sharing of “Christmas-themed food or items” between Year 5 and 6 students.
The decision sparked outrage among parents.
One mother understood that the ban was applied so that “non-Christian students” would not feel offended.
“I have heard that this is also happening at other local schools and it is a conscious ideology trying to interfere with what is originally a religious holiday that is followed and observed by people who are not even religious,” he said. Herald of the sun.
The school’s principal, Warren Lloyd, has since reversed the ban in an email to clarify and apologize for the “oversight.”
“We request that no Christmas-themed food or items be selected,” she wrote.
“Christmas-themed items are welcome.”
The headteacher of Eltham East Primary School did a backflip just days after the school (pictured) banned students from exchanging Secret Santa gifts.
The Victorian Department of Education has not widely banned the exchange of Christmas gifts in public schools, including Eltham East.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Victorian Department of Education for further comment.
Bella d’Abrera of the Institute of Public Affairs called the school’s initial decision political correctness gone mad.
“Every year, like clockwork, left-wing activists in our schools and institutions find an excuse to cancel Christmas,” he told the publication.
‘What have we become as a society if activists’ cancel culture now extends to canceling Christmas for fifth and sixth graders?’
One parent said they understood the decision had been made so that ‘non-Christian students’ would not be offended (file image)
It comes after residents of Melbourne’s inner south-east criticized Stonnington City Council for removing the word “Christmas” from festive addresses last year.
The city council used the slogan “Make Merry” instead of the traditional “Merry Christmas” on green and red signs spread throughout the area.
The decision sparked a mixed response from locals, with one angry resident going so far as to paint the word “Christmas” on one of the signs.
Stonnington Borough Council said it was “disappointed” that festive decorations had been vandalized.
“These decorations are for the enjoyment of all community members, residents and visitors to Stonnington,” the council said in a statement.
‘The ‘Make Merry’ campaign was developed in response to feedback from residents and businesses who expressed the need for an inclusive way to recognize the different celebrations celebrated in December.
“While we understand that some residents may have different opinions on the wording of the decorations, vandalism against property is unacceptable.”