How to promote an "inclusive" school
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2016 12:30 am
A primary school principal has come under fire after he reportedly banned the use of the word 'Easter' from its Easter Hat Parade.
Bondi Public School principal Michael Jones has reportedly made the decision to dump the word without warning, leaving some parents too afraid to speak out over fears they will attract backlash.
In 2011, Mr Jones found himself in hot water having previously removing the word from the parade by penning a newsletter to parents to inform them he wanted the school to be more 'inclusive'.
A Sydney parent, who wished to remain anonymous, has told The Australian the principal's decision to dissociate Easter from the parade was 'a shame for the little kids'.
'All the hats have eggs on them. I wanted to speak out because this is ridiculous — but I can't make a scene,' one parent said.
Another parent claimed: 'I know what happened to the previous people who came out and spoke against it last time.'
Mr Jones' move to ban the word 'Easter' from the event came to light about five years ago after he reportedly wrote a newsletter to parents about his controversial decision.
'As we are an inclusive community which celebrates our diverse range of cultures and beliefs, I have not called it an Easter Hat parade,' Mr Jones wrote in the school's newsletter in 2011.
'Many religious celebrations occur at this time of year but we want to include all students in any celebration at school. Teachers will talk to students about the different celebrations and the emphasis will be on tolerance and understanding.'
A NSW Department of Education spokesman has told Daily Mail Australia the school will be holding its annual hat-parade on Thursday morning.
'Holding and naming such events is a local management decision made at the school level,' the spokesman said.
'Bondi Public School strongly encourages parents to raise any concerns directly with the principal or a member of staff.
'The school's website does not have a comments section. The school is not an administrator of the Facebook page for parents.'
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