A parent of students at Mount Lawley Senior High School was handed a letter condemning the Safe Schools Coalition as he dropped his children to school this week.
Local father Miles Burke was disappointed that these materials were being handed out with no regards for students well-being.
“I have brought it to the schools attention,” Mr Burke said.
“You can believe what you like in your own home, but sharing it in front of students isn’t OK.”
The letter (which you can read here) claims that the anti-bullying Safe Schools program encourages students to campaign for same-sex marriage, details descriptions of gay and lesbian sexual techniques and does not tolerate views that differ from homosexuality and “alternative gender views.”
Mount Lawley Senior High School’s Principal Milton Butcher says the people delivering the flyers refused to identify themselves.
“It is unreasonable for adult campaigners to approach children, some as young as 12 years of age, on their way to or from school,” Mr Butcher said.
“Some students reported they were very distressed by the actions of these adults. Police may be asked to assist in any situation where students are approached by strangers.”
WA’s Shadow Education Minister Sue Ellery says she finds this disturbing.
“It’s shocking that these adults would approach kids outside school to give out this kind of material,” she said, “It’s bullying behaviour.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me if the people handing out this material don’t even have students at the school.”
Ms Ellery says the Education Minister Peter Collier needs to condemn this kind of behaviour immediately.
The Department of Education clarified that they do not run the Safe Schools program, but rather schools may choose to opt in if they see fit.
“Each principal who has signed up will decide which, if any, Safe Schools Coalition resources are a good fit for their school. Some may choose, for example, to just put up a poster,” a Department of Education spokesperson said.
“Public schools have not received much negative feedback. When it has been received, it has stemmed mainly from outside interest groups.”
This news comes as conservative Federal MPs rail against a review of the Safe Schools program launched by Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham earlier this year.
Leigh Hill
In-story image:- Stock Photo
Edit:- The story was edited at 10:32am for clarity.
This is shocking