Aussie primary school sparks backlash after it scraps Christmas from student events and renames Secret Santa in inclusivity push

Trevallyn Primary School in Launceston has renamed some end-of-year events, prompting complaints from parents who say Christmas traditions are being dropped. The dispute has drawn in Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff, who has asked the Education Department to intervene, and has reignited debate over how schools recognise different cultural and religious backgrounds.

The school’s newsletter called its annual raffle “Holiday on the Hill” instead of “Christmas on the Hill”; parents also say Secret Santa has become “Holiday Gifting” and carols will give way to pop songs. Acting principal Jane Hudson said the aim was to help every child participate, while a parent argued inclusion should not mean setting aside local traditions. The Tasmania Principal Association’s president called Rockliff’s intervention an overreach, and the Australian Education Union said public criticism had exposed staff to scrutiny.