Don't break the bonds of School, Faith and the Family this Christmas

Unaccountable and answerable to no one

I am aghast, but not entirely surprised, that the decision to change the Christmas Holiday for the Lumen Christi multi academy has been taken without any consultation with the parents, or seemingly the staff, on whom this will impact! In direct contradiction to one of the academy's original stated aims "...to enhance cohesion with the wider community", this change will serve to isolate pupils and staff of the academy from, not only, their friends and wider family who attend other Birmingham schools/nurseries but also members of their own nuclear family!!! The rationale for the decision is both insulting and inadequate. When the UK frequently ranks poorly for childhood happiness it is astounding that a Catholic Academy would fail to consult more widely on a decision that will adversely affect the happiness of so many of it's families when preparing for and celebrating an important Christian Feast. Surely happiness and security are fundamental building blocks for educational success? I do not know how the Board choose to spend their downtime but for me it's all about maximising opportunities to be together as a family - the most precious gift that God has given me. The only sensible solution is to reverse this decision!

I'm Signing because consultation with parents should have been a key determining factor behind this decision. Any decision which undermines the family must be considered contrary to the Catholic ethos.

Parents have not been consulted or properly informed about this massive issue. It is not a decision that has been made in the best interests of pupils and families at St Joseph's. Not only will this decision cause logistical and financial difficulties it will cause heartache for, and fragmentation of, families at this very special time. I cannot fathom the 'range of considerations ' that led to this absurd decision and urge the board to redress this decision urgently!

We are asked(policed) as parents to inform school our children daily phone calls for sickness ( not something you do as an adult phone in sick , phone in well) proof of dentist appointments leaving 10 minutes early etc etc etc Now the school and academy have made a serious and home life changing decision without common decency to consult their families. If this is an angle to keep child within the academy for secondary education it may well fall on its face as the trust is broken at the first hurdle.

I can not believe this decision was taken without parent consultation & to add insult to injury, us parents found out through the media not from the school ! I have 2 daughters at bishop Challoner & 1 son at St Joseph's so my family will have to split holidays & my husband & I will have to 'choose' which child/ren to take time off with! Surely you can see that from a catholic academy that promotes the importance of advent & family time this is totally unacceptable. This decision needs to be reversed.

I am signing this petition as this change will comprise time we spend together as a family this christmas and will cause childcare issues as my husband and I are back at work on the 3rd Jan. I am disappointed this decision was taken without consultation with the parents and would like the board to reconsider the decision.

It is disappointing that such decisions are taken without proper consultation and taking on board the views of the people most affected. I am also concerned on the affect this policy has on teachers who have children in other schools who will now have to arrange child care cover. It may also impact on the schools ability to attract good talented teachers. I believe this needs to be re-considered.

Unfortunately you have not taken into account the affect this will have on your families and staff outside school. Plus it may cause further problems with recruitment

I have a daughter st St Joseph's and a son at Bishop Challoner. I'm now forced to choose who I spend half the holiday with. Their reasoning that "an early finish doesn't allow schools to focus on advent and truly celebrate with pupils, students,families and the wider community" is weak. What about important family time at advent? They also say that the "late return might allow some families to take advantage of reduced cost holidays"!! Impossible for all those families like me who have children at other schools too who are returning at the normal time. This is an ill thought out decision which I imagine will have a negative impact on the majority of families next Christmas .

Is Christmas not about family so when am I meant to have family time. You are not thinking of the needs of the children

Disgraceful decision. One way to ruin a family's Christmas. These decisions have always had more cons than pros, so why make them?

Get your voice heard change the holiday as it's about family time at half term

How patronising claiming it will allow me to benefit from a cheap break. How many of us can afford a break 2 weeks after Christmas? How many of us will have children in other schools so it's not even an option?

I was always envious of the tight knit Catholic Community in the area & thought that the parish schools, churches & families supported each other. Sadly, it seems that this is no longer the case & from my local knowledge (I have always lived near to St Joseph's) it is terribly sad that a handful of individuals are looking to break this down & tear families apart at such a precious time. Well done for taking a stand, it is time those few listened to the community they should be serving!

No one considers the grandparents who end up picking up the pieces when these changes are forced on working parents.

Having two children in different schools with different sets of holidays is going to affect our family . Did the schools not feel like they needed to consult parents. My thoughts are that they knew the response they would get and decided to go ahead without parents input.

Any family with more than one child will at some stage suffer from this decision. I am a working parent with limited time off, trying my best to support my family and simply do not have the funds to cover the extra childcare costs that I will endeavour to get. Holidays are a time many of us look forward to and the only time we get to spend fully as a unit. This decision will mean that I will be forced to decide which child I want to use my limited annual leave with. Surely schools should be promoting family time rather than separation.

I am a St Joseph's parent. this change means I loose a week of valuable family time with my children as my work shuts down. Lumen Christian Academy have ROBBED me of a FIFTH of my annual time off with my children. And for what? I, and what sounds like all the parents, believe that Christmas is a time for family. It is clear that this a poorly thought out decision. I doubt very much any of you board directors can hold your heads high and say that this is about Advent and not Catholic figures at St Thomas Aquinas. Shame on you.

Can't be right