[Livia]

Originally Posted by Cherie

What a well written inclusive speech, I can't think of another country apart from increasingly ridiculous England where this type of behaviour would happen.

If that speech is the evidence of there being "more to this story" then I am truly worried for the future. I hope the school faces some kind of enquiry.

[Beso]

So the school cancelled one of its own pupils. Thats not very inclusive.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Council apologises in primary school Union Flag row



A council has apologised after a primary school wrote to parents saying the
appearance of Union flags at a leavers' event could have been seen as
"offensive or sectarian".

The head teacher of Cross Arthurlie Primary School in Barrhead said flags
featuring pictures of staff, which had been brought to the event by primary 7
pupils, "caused some upset".

Senior Scottish Conservatives criticised the letter on social media and
demanded an apology.

East Renfrewshire Council later said it was not the "school's intention to imply the union flag is sectarian" (or at least be caught doing that...)

Head teacher Fiona MacDonald wrote to parents after the leavers' event on
Thursday.

The letter said "the use of the union flag with staff images on had caused
considerable upset at the beginning of the night".

It added the school worked against "potentially offensive or sectarian
messaging".

Ms MacDonald said: "Although we recognise this was not the intent we are
concerned that others within or beyond the school community may consider
that is something we would encourage."

The headteacher explained she had spoken to the children to "explain why it
wasn't a good idea" to use images without permission and to explain "the
symbolism and association of flags and symbols to different groups of
people".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0wnn96y79o

[BBXX]

I have to say though, doesn't it speak for the lack of actual British culture that the main option to show British culture is a dress with the flag on it. This is not dig on a girl, because it's an obvious choice, but genuinely what else do we have? I do actually love our tiny island most of the time but we honestly have such a poor national identity on a lot of things. We produce some amazing music, world class television and cinema but most of our food is shocking really, and a lot of what we hold dear as British people is stolen LOL ffs.

I possibly would have dressed up as a lion or a King's Guard but the choice is bit **** really from a fashion perspective. Some beautiful fabrics and patterns from other cultures, based on heritage, indetitiy and history and I'm sat there dressed as a big cat

[arista]

[A council has apologised after a primary school
wrote to parents saying the
appearance of Union flags at a leavers' event
could have been seen as
"offensive or sectarian".]


Good, the Council has said sorry

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by arista

[A council has apologised after a primary school
wrote to parents saying the
appearance of Union flags at a leavers' event
could have been seen as
"offensive or sectarian".]


Good, the Council has said sorry

Only because they were called out

how much more of this pernicious stuff happens every week ??

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by BBXX

I have to say though, doesn't it speak for the lack of actual British culture that the main option to show British culture is a dress with the flag on it. This is not dig on a girl, because it's an obvious choice, but genuinely what else do we have? I do actually love our tiny island most of the time but we honestly have such a poor national identity on a lot of things. We produce some amazing music, world class television and cinema but most of our food is shocking really, and a lot of what we hold dear as British people is stolen LOL ffs.

I possibly would have dressed up as a lion or a King's Guard but the choice is bit **** really from a fashion perspective. Some beautiful fabrics and patterns from other cultures, based on heritage, indetitiy and history and I'm sat there dressed as a big cat

…today/now/as you’re typing this….?…I mean, pics please or that just isn’t happening….(…obviously I’m not being serious about the pics but from now on I’ll always read your posts in cat speak language…)….

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by BBXX

I have to say though, doesn't it speak for the lack of actual British culture that the main option to show British culture is a dress with the flag on it. This is not dig on a girl, because it's an obvious choice, but genuinely what else do we have? I do actually love our tiny island most of the time but we honestly have such a poor national identity on a lot of things. We produce some amazing music, world class television and cinema but most of our food is shocking really, and a lot of what we hold dear as British people is stolen LOL ffs.

I possibly would have dressed up as a lion or a King's Guard but the choice is bit **** really from a fashion perspective. Some beautiful fabrics and patterns from other cultures, based on heritage, indetitiy and history and I'm sat there dressed as a big cat

I suppose there would be individual cultures for Scotland and Wales, it's hard not to conflate Britain and England though (just from an outsiders perspective anyway)

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

I suppose there would be individual cultures for Scotland and Wales, it's hard not to conflate Britain and England though (just from an outsiders perspective anyway)

…this wasn’t the only one that the singled out apparently and I think one dress/costume that was refused was Welsh if I recall from an article…I mean it was the whole concept of the day to celebrate heritage and inclusivity etc and then exclusions were made…it’s extremely crazy…I feel as though the school has to give the day back to the pupils to do it again if they wish to…

…Edited in the bit of one article I read…

One child dressed in traditional farming clothes — flat cap and checked shirt — wasn’t allowed in. Another with a St George’s flag. One had a Welsh flag. All turned away.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Ammi

…this wasn’t the only one that the singled out apparently and I think one dress/costume that was refused was Welsh if I recall from an article…I mean it was the whole concept of the day to celebrate heritage and inclusivity etc and then exclusions were made…it’s extremely crazy…I feel as though the school has to give the day back to the pupils to do it again if they wish to…

My post was just really in reply to BBXX talking about British culture in general rather than the exclusions that were made in the school. But obviously that's the opposite of inclusion

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

My post was just really in reply to BBXX talking about British culture in general rather than the exclusions that were made in the school. But obviously that's the opposite of inclusion

…yeah I realise that…I guess that it just combined with the mention of Scotland and Wales and that bit that I had read in the article about the Welsh flag ‘being rejected’ also…it’s all very strange, I have no idea where the school’s thoughts were at with some decisions its made…

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Ammi

…yeah I realise that…I guess that it just combined with the mention of Scotland and Wales and that bit that I had read in the article about the Welsh flag ‘being rejected’ also…it’s all very strange, I have no idea where the school’s thoughts were at with some decisions its made…

Yeah very weird, they clearly only wanted a celebration of foreign cultures but never stated that either but punished people who celebrated their own cultures. bizarre

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by BBXX

I have to say though, doesn't it speak for the lack of actual British culture that the main option to show British culture is a dress with the flag on it. This is not dig on a girl, because it's an obvious choice, but genuinely what else do we have? I do actually love our tiny island most of the time but we honestly have such a poor national identity on a lot of things. We produce some amazing music, world class television and cinema but most of our food is shocking really, and a lot of what we hold dear as British people is stolen LOL ffs.

I possibly would have dressed up as a lion or a King's Guard but the choice is bit **** really from a fashion perspective. Some beautiful fabrics and patterns from other cultures, based on heritage, indetitiy and history and I'm sat there dressed as a big cat

You could dress up as a Queen :

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

Yeah very weird, they clearly only wanted a celebration of foreign cultures but never stated that either but punished people who celebrated their own cultures. bizarre

If schools have a culture day and they exclude the native culture, what are the kids supposed to dress up as ...they can't really take on anyone elses culture, it was poorly thought out....whats new? some people are so busy bending over backwards to be inclusive they forget that means everyone and then they wonder why people get pissed off

[BBXX]

Originally Posted by Ammi

…today/now/as you’re typing this….?…I mean, pics please or that just isn’t happening….(…obviously I’m not being serious about the pics but from now on I’ll always read your posts in cat speak language…)….

I opted for the Royal Guard look, complete with British Culture Starter Pack - Millennial Edition 1.0

[Ammi]

…I would probably dress up as a Morris Dancer or something…or maybe attach a sandwich board type thing with The Red Lion on…or a Mod or a Rocker or a Twiggy style 60’s look when British fashion was so on point…

[BBXX]

Originally Posted by Cherie

You could dress up as a Queen :

I do that most weekends!

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Cherie

If schools have a culture day and they exclude the native culture, what are the kids supposed to dress up as ...they can't really take on anyone elses culture, it was poorly thought out....whats new? some people are so busy bending over backwards to be inclusive they forget that means everyone and then they wonder why people get pissed off

Well that's the thing isn't it, if the girl in the article came in dressed in African clothes she'd probably be accused of cultural appropriation so it's a lose lose

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by BBXX

I do that most weekends!

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by BBXX

I opted for the Royal Guard look, complete with British Culture Starter Pack - Millennial Edition 1.0

…truly inspired ……I love the Jane Norman carrier but Top Shop was always the one for me…..

[Ammi]

…it’s a shame that the day was marred with the exclusions and how they made some pupils feel because I’m sure that lost in there somewhere, was a great thought of community and celebrating each others sames and differences…

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by BBXX

I do that most weekends!

…don’t we all....

[Cherie]

PM Keir Starmer's spokesperson appeared to side with the schoolgirl and her family. They said: “I think the school has put out a statement on this so I’m not going to comment further, but the Prime Minister has always been clear that being British is something to be celebrated.”

The Mirror

[BBXX]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

I suppose there would be individual cultures for Scotland and Wales, it's hard not to conflate Britain and England though (just from an outsiders perspective anyway)

Sorry this got lost.

Fair point, I think - Scotland particularly seems to have a more defined Scottish culture that England has an English culture, which I do think a lot of people as 'British'...

[Livia]

First this girl is excluded from a British school for wearing a union jack. Then there's a whole thread of people suggesting there's a lack of British culture and that English culture doesn't exist anyway.

Tone deaf.