Bishop says school that changed Easter events 'valued'
A school that faced a backlash after it said it would not be holding traditional Easter events is "deeply valued" in its community, a Bishop has said.
Norwood Primary School in Eastleigh, Hampshire, said it would not be holding its Easter bonnet parade and Easter service at a local church.
Some said the decision was "disgraceful", but a parent told the BBC the row was "a storm in a teacup" and the school still marked Easter with activities and events.
The Bishop of Southampton, Rhiannon King, said she and other Christian leaders had contacted the school and had been invited to visit.
The school, which has no religious affiliation, said the changes were made so "all children are able to take part".
"The local vicar of Eastleigh Parish Church, the minister of Eastleigh Baptist Church and I have been in touch with the head teacher and this has been warmly welcomed," Bishop Rhiannon said.
"We are encouraged by the head teacher's assurance that learning about Christian faith remains embedded firmly in the Religious Education curriculum and by her warm invitation to go in and meet some of the children in the new term – an offer we would be delighted to accept," she said.
"Meanwhile, we encourage everyone to enable the staff and children of Norwood Primary School to celebrate the end of term and Easter in peace."
In her initial letter to parents, head teacher Stephanie Mander said the decision had been made "in the spirit of inclusivity and respect for the diverse religious beliefs represented" in the school's community.
"Our school is committed to fostering an environment where every child feels valued and respected, regardless of their religious background," she said in a letter to parents.
Among those critical, former home secretary and Hampshire MP Suella Braverman said it represented "cultural surrender".
You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
School that axed Easter service 'will still celebrate'
Diocese of Winchester
Norwood Primary School
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
New bishop installed at cathedral in Manx capital
A new Catholic bishop has been officially installed in his post in Douglas. John Sherrington was named as Archbishop of Liverpool by the late Pope Francis in early April. The archdiocese includes the Isle of Man. He assumed his new role at a ceremony at the Church of Saint Mary of the Isle, which was attended by dignitaries including MHKs and local leaders of other churches. Archbishop Sherrington's installation at his "co-cathedral" - Liverpool's Metropolitan Cathedral, 80 miles (129km) away across the Irish Sea - took place on 27 May. As is tradition, the service in the Manx capital began with the archbishop knocking on the closed cathedral doors before being invited in by the Dean, Monsignor John Devine. Guests included the island's Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer, President of Tynwald Laurence Skelly, Chief Minister Alfred Cannan and leaders of other Christian denominations. During the service, the letter issued by the late Pope in early April, confirming Archbishop Sherrington's appointment, was read aloud to the congregation. The bishop was then installed in a special chair in the cathedral, which features his coat of arms alongside that representing the co-cathedral. The proceedings also included the hymn This Little Light of Mine, performed by the children of St Mary's Catholic Primary School, and the island's national anthem. During his homily, Archbishop Sherrington said the ceremony marked a "day of great joy". Archbishop Sherrington moved from the Diocese of Westminster to succeed the Rt Rev Malcolm McMahon OP, who was been in the post since May 2014. Archbishop McMahon submitted his resignation to the late pontiff last year, having reached the usual retirement age for bishops of 75. Bishop Sherrington was ordained a priest in the Diocese of Nottingham in 1987. He was also ordained as an Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster and Titular Bishop of Hilta in 2011. In addition to the Isle of Man, the archdiocese covers Merseyside as well as parts of Cheshire and Greater Manchester, and an area of Lancashire south-west of the River Ribble. The elevation of the Manx cathedral in November 2023 followed Douglas being awarded city status as part of the late Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. New Archbishop of Liverpool appointed by Pope Ceremony marks Manx church's new cathedral status Cathedral status service to feature Manx elements Cathedral status service to feature Manx elements Douglas church granted cathedral status by Pope Douglas Jubilee city status 'a huge honour' Archdiocese of Liverpool The Roman Catholic church on the Isle of Man
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
New bishop installed at cathedral in Manx capital
A new Catholic bishop has been officially installed in his post in Douglas. John Sherrington was named as Archbishop of Liverpool by the late Pope Francis in early April. The archdiocese includes the Isle of Man. He assumed his new role at a ceremony at the Church of Saint Mary of the Isle, which was attended by dignitaries including MHKs and local leaders of other churches. Archbishop Sherrington's installation at his "co-cathedral" - Liverpool's Metropolitan Cathedral, 80 miles (129km) away across the Irish Sea - took place on 27 May. As is tradition, the service in the Manx capital began with the archbishop knocking on the closed cathedral doors before being invited in by the Dean, Monsignor John Devine. Guests included the island's Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer, President of Tynwald Laurence Skelly, Chief Minister Alfred Cannan and leaders of other Christian denominations. During the service, the letter issued by the late Pope in early April, confirming Archbishop Sherrington's appointment, was read aloud to the congregation. The bishop was then installed in a special chair in the cathedral, which features his coat of arms alongside that representing the co-cathedral. The proceedings also included the hymn This Little Light of Mine, performed by the children of St Mary's Catholic Primary School, and the island's national anthem. During his homily, Archbishop Sherrington said the ceremony marked a "day of great joy". Archbishop Sherrington moved from the Diocese of Westminster to succeed the Rt Rev Malcolm McMahon OP, who was been in the post since May 2014. Archbishop McMahon submitted his resignation to the late pontiff last year, having reached the usual retirement age for bishops of 75. Bishop Sherrington was ordained a priest in the Diocese of Nottingham in 1987. He was also ordained as an Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster and Titular Bishop of Hilta in 2011. In addition to the Isle of Man, the archdiocese covers Merseyside as well as parts of Cheshire and Greater Manchester, and an area of Lancashire south-west of the River Ribble. The elevation of the Manx cathedral in November 2023 followed Douglas being awarded city status as part of the late Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. New Archbishop of Liverpool appointed by Pope Ceremony marks Manx church's new cathedral status Cathedral status service to feature Manx elements Cathedral status service to feature Manx elements Douglas church granted cathedral status by Pope Douglas Jubilee city status 'a huge honour' Archdiocese of Liverpool The Roman Catholic church on the Isle of Man
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Free picnic with food boxes for more than 100 people in Exmouth
Exmouth Hope Church is throwing a free community picnic in Phear Park. On Saturday, June 14, more than 100 people who register will receive free individual picnic boxes, with food provided by Launchpad in Budleigh Salterton. The church has invited people to join them to explore questions about life and faith. The church believes that 'the Christian faith is all about a loving God rescuing a broken world through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus'. The church said its mission is to bring the "good news of Jesus and love of God" to the local community.
