Celebrating Diversity in Schools During the Festive Season.
Christmas celebrations often dominate the end-of-term festivities, but this can unintentionally overshadow other important religious and cultural observances. For children who celebrate Hanukka, Diwali or other traditions, it’s easy to feel invisible during a season meant to bring people together.
In one of my schools, we had a pupil named Sarah, a bright and thoughtful Year 8 student who happened to be one of the very few Jewish children in the school. As the festive season rolled around, Sarah became increasingly withdrawn. At first, we attributed it to the general hustle and bustle of the season, but then when it came time to put the display together, her class teacher noticed something curious: Sarah’s beautiful Hanukkah-themed art project, which she’d created during a "design your own festive card" session, was not there. It was found crumpled up behind the radiator.
When the teacher gently asked Sarah why, her response was heartbreaking: “I didn’t think anyone would want to see it. It’s not Christmassy enough.”
This opened up an important conversation. Sarah explained that she often felt invisible during this time of year. While classmates talked excitedly about Santa and Christmas trees, no one ever asked her about Hanukkah—the menorah, the dreidel, or the latkes her family made together. It wasn’t that they didn’t care; it was more that they didn’t know how to ask.
One moment stood out in particular. During an assembly about "festive traditions," Sarah bravely raised her hand to talk about Hanukkah. But when she started to explain the significance of lighting the menorah, a classmate interrupted: “That’s not Christmas!” Laughter rippled through the room, and Sarah’s face flushed red. The teacher moved the assembly along quickly, but the damage was done. Sarah’s courage had been met with dismissal, not curiosity.
From that day forward, we made it a point to include more diverse celebrations in our festive programming—not just in passing mentions, but as meaningful parts of our school culture. We encouraged pupils to share their traditions and rituals in safe, respectful spaces, and we found ways to integrate diverse traditions into the broader narrative of the season. The simple act of asking, “Sarah, what does Hanukkah mean to you?” had been our first step in creating a sense of belonging, not just for her, but for every pupil whose story wasn’t part of the mainstream narrative.
Strategies for Inclusive Festivities
Learn and Acknowledge:
Take time to understand the celebrations your pupils and their families observe. Recognizing festivals like Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Diwali alongside Christmas shows respect for diverse traditions and demonstrates that every child’s heritage is valued.
Tie this to values: Respect—actively learning about others’ traditions shows that their beliefs matter.
Decorate With Diversity:
Reflect the richness of your school community by including symbols from multiple traditions in displays. A menorah, a kinara, or Diwali lamps alongside Christmas trees can spark curiosity and dialogue.
Tie this to values: Unity—visual representation of different celebrations fosters a sense of togetherness and shared space.
Encourage Pupils to Share Their Stories:
Invite pupils to talk about their traditions in safe, supportive spaces. Whether in assemblies, classroom activities, or projects, this gives every child a chance to feel seen and heard.
Example: A Year 8 pupil could explain how their family celebrates Hanukkah or another festival.
Tie this to values: Safe—ensuring pupils feel confident to share without fear of ridicule strengthens emotional safety.
Build Empathy Through Shared Experiences:
Create activities where pupils experience aspects of others’ traditions. For example, teach how to play dreidel or make traditional treats from different cultures. These moments build understanding and break down barriers.
Tie this to values: Respect and Inclusion—hands-on experiences allow pupils to appreciate others’ cultures in meaningful ways.
Embed Inclusion in Assemblies and Programs:
When planning festive events, ensure that diverse traditions are woven into the narrative. Include stories, songs, and performances from various cultures, highlighting shared themes of light, hope, and family.
Tie this to values: Unity and Belonging—showing that all traditions are part of the school community reinforces a sense of connection.
Encourage Staff Role Modeling:
Equip staff with language and strategies to explore diverse traditions confidently. Encourage them to ask questions respectfully, showing pupils it’s okay to be curious.
Tie this to values: Respect and Leadership—staff can model curiosity and inclusion for pupils.
Reframe “The Festive Season” as a Time for Shared Values:
Use the season to highlight universal values like generosity, gratitude, and kindness. This shifts the focus away from a single cultural narrative and helps pupils connect through shared human experiences.
Example: A school-wide project focused on acts of kindness (e.g., supporting a food bank or writing letters to isolated community members).
Tie this to values: Unity, Generosity, and Empathy—promoting shared values creates a stronger, more inclusive community.
The festive season is a perfect opportunity to live out your school’s mission and values. By making inclusion intentional, you’re not just celebrating traditions—you’re celebrating people. In doing so, you create an environment where every pupil feels respected, safe, and part of something bigger than themselves.
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