General Chat

Excuse my ignorance but I always thought "The Nativity" was about the Birth of Jesus? please can you tell me what the hell an Itsy bitsy Fairy is and where does she come into the Birth of Jesus?
Does anyone teach R.E anymore or is it banned from the Curriculum.
I am usually rather un disturbed about these things but having been told by someone that their child had the leading roll In the nativity and I assumed It would be Mary,which I'm sure you agree is probably the leading roll In the nativity...

But No the itsy bitsy Fairy is the leading roll!
I wonder if what Mohamed should be changed to,Maybe teddy!!

I'm furious to be honest! and don't tell me that this isn't happening in our schools it is and I have had first hand experience!
What A country the U.K is turning into!

Goodness my views are changing daily!

The Nativity isn't banned as far as I'm aware........the infants did one last year.......though admittedly it's the first proper nativity I've seen in the six years they've been going to that school........usually it's based on a popular story like Snow White or Sleeping Beauty xx

Then its not "the Nativity" is it Muffy!
why do they change it?

ours are always stories around the "nativity" this yr is the biggest little gift,

the grumpy sheep is my favourite, the story surrounds a very grumpy sheep, who goes to se the birth f jesus and meet the kings, and shepards on the way, i think its a great idea, because every year its different and not the same boring play xxx

Hi Rox, when my son was young, the first year at school they did a 'proper' nativity and called it that , but the number of children exceeded the number of parts, to enable all the children to participate they added 'extras' as it were and in following years called it the Christmas play, which had everything from the tale of Babushka following the Wise Men to Bob the builder....

more of a Nativity based pantomime I guess.

Call me old fashioned but I just think they mess around with things too much!
A sign of the times,I Imagine .
Can someone tell me,do they still teach Religious education in Schools,or is that not allowed either?

they do but its not called religious education its merged with another subject, but i cnt remeeber what its called, its social studies or somthing like tht,

Didn't explain myself very well. USUALLY it's based on a well known story ....last year it actually WAS a proper nativity for the first time in the six years they've been there.

They do RE at school .....all different religions....xx

As far I am aware they still teach RE all mine were but they went to church schools anyway, maybe the fairy is an angel or the fairy is the one telling the story in stead of....and so it came to pass that Herald had hissy fit, it could be done in a nicer way, I like it when they tell the story but like Stray says change it abit..

Well that good,at least they do Some form of religious study, and if they learn about others faiths thats good too, then at least they have a chioce if they want to follow any faith at all:-))
I would hate to see the day when it was stopped all together, that would be very sad!

I worked in a school up to 3 years ago and they were doing a fieldtrip to a Synagogue, it was at a time when PC was at its highest in the press, the amount of ignorgant parents that kicked up a fuss, I dont want my child going there blah blah was laughable. I would of loved a good nosey round one they had to cancel the trip in the end.

It wouldn't bother me Hayley.....for a start my tree on one branch is full of Jewish rellies and for another I can't see what harm it would do anyhow !!! I'd try and scab a seat on the trip too as I'd find it very interesting xx

its all modern themed now round the old fashoined nativity that was done years ago in schools especially junior to make it more interesting and each child can get involved..

now the three kings call in at Morrisons to buy gifts,:}}

All faiths are given an** airing ** not just one religion is taught which is good imo......,,but any child can be excluded should a parent object to any religion being taught or influenced by religious teachings,

I was lucky enough to help out on a trip to our local synagogue

I found it interesting, the kids loved it & we got to look at these ages old scrolls which could have told a tale or two !

Our school do the nativity each year, same story, sometimes done slightly differently from another characters point of view.

Its wonderful to see those tiny angels :o))))

I think it is brilliant that children learn about all the different faiths,but I just hope we keep the Traditional Nativity Play.Our tea towels need to be used for the Shepherds lol

lol Jane:-))) I remember wearing one of my Mums T-towels:-))

I agree its great to learn about other faiths, but I do think that when teaching a faith it should be taught correctly and that Includes "the Nativity"!
there was No "itsy bitsy fairy In bethlehem,I dont Think;-)lol

I have some wonderful videos of my 2 in their Nativity Plays.Makes me cry every time I see them......You should see them now 26 and 23 lol.

Hi Rox, totally sympathise with you.

This link shows what is going on re RE on the national curriculem Key Stage 1.
http://curriculum.qcda.gov.uk/key-stages-1-and-2/subjects/religious-education/keystage1/index.aspx?return=/key-stages-1-and-2/subjects/index.aspx


I've had a lot of dealings with church primary schools over the years and have loved the different ways of telling the nativity story - but the 'reality' of the story was always there.

My grandchildren don't go to church schools and whilst they have done nativity productions in the past, they now tend to lean towards more secular themes - fairies and things!!!!

Thanks Cynthia, I will take a look.

Hoobity,thats awful! you would think you could count on a church school,how very Odd.