The principal of Yarra Valley Grammar School in Victoria, Dr. Mark Merry, expressed the need for more work to ensure that all students feel valued and respected. Despite regular sessions on respectful relationships, they will be reviewing all programs to ensure the dignity of all students is respected. Students at the school are taught about respectful relationships under the Tomorrow Man and Tomorrow Woman framework, but more work is needed to counter inappropriate messages bombarded at boys via the internet, according to Merry. He acknowledged that while teaching respect starts at home, schools also play a role in continuing that education.
Merry emphasized that the incident at the school was not specific to Yarra Valley Grammar and that sexism and misogyny are present throughout society. He stressed the importance of everyone – families, teachers, media, workmates, and friends – standing up against such behavior and making it clear that it is not acceptable. The school took action after an anonymous tip-off about a post involving several students, suspending the students involved pending further investigation. The parents of the girls in the post were notified, and the school also contacted the police to assess if the incident was a criminal matter.
The prestigious co-ed school in Ringwood has 185 students in year 11, with tuition fees around $30,000 a year per student. Monash University social sciences lecturer Dr. Stephanie Westcott, an expert on sexism in schools, commended the school’s decision to prioritize girls’ safety and their right to an education free from sexism and harassment. However, she highlighted that this incident is just one example of a national problem of sexual harassment, sexism, and misogyny in schools. She called for a meaningful, targeted, and long-term response from the government, expressing disappointment that recent funding and policy announcements on gendered violence against women did not prioritize schools as areas needing intervention.
The school’s commitment to addressing the incident and ensuring the safety and respect of all students is commendable, as it reflects a broader societal issue that requires attention and action from various stakeholders. Dr. Merry acknowledged the role that schools play in educating students about respect, but also recognized the shared responsibility of families, teachers, media, and friends in combating sexism and misogyny. The incident at Yarra Valley Grammar serves as a reminder of the prevalence of such attitudes in society and the importance of taking a stand against them. It is imperative that government and policymakers prioritize addressing these issues in schools to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
