A primary school has backflipped on a controversial decision to ban students from taking part in Kris Kringle amid concerns the festive tradition was potentially offensive.
Shocked parents and guardians at Eltham East Primary School in north-west Melbourne, were sent a letter earlier this week declaring a ban on the exchange of ‘food or Christmas-themed items’ among year five and six students.
The decision sparked outrage from parents.
One mum understood the ban was enforced so ‘non-Christian students’ wouldn’t be offended.
‘I’ve heard that this is also happening at other local schools and it’s a woke ideology trying to interfere in what originally is a religious holiday that people who aren’t even religious follow and observe,’ she told Herald Sun.
School principal Warren Lloyd has since reversed the ban in an email to clarify and apologise for the ‘oversight’.
‘We requested that no food or Christmas-themed items were selected,’ he wrote.
‘Christmas-themed items are very welcome.’
The principal for Eltham East Primary School has backflipped just days after the school (pictured) banned students from exchanging Secret Santa gifts
Victoria’s Department of Education has not widely banned the exchange of Christmas gifts at public schools, including Eltham East.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Victorian Department of Education for further comment.
Bella d’Abrera from the Institute of Public Affairs branded the school’s initial decision as political correctness gone mad.
‘Every year, like clockwork, left-wing activists in our schools and institutions find an excuse to cancel Christmas,’ she told the publication.
‘What have we become as a society if activists’ cancel culture now extends to cancelling Christmas for year five and six students?
One parent said it was their understanding the decision had been made so ‘non-Christian students’ wouldn’t be offended (stock image)
It comes after locals in Melbourne’s inner-southeast slammed Stonnington Council for removing the word ‘Christmas’ from festive directions last year.
The council used the slogan ‘Make Merry’ instead of the traditional ‘Merry Christmas’ on green and red signs scattered throughout the area.
The decision sparked a mixed response from locals, with one angry resident going as far as to graffiti the word ‘Christmas’ onto one of the signs.
Stonnington Council said it was ‘disappointed’ the festive decorations had been vandalised.
‘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 that articulated the need for an inclusive way to acknowledge the different celebrations held in December.
‘While we understand some residents may have differing views about the wording on the decorations, property vandalism is unacceptable.’
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