College's Collective Confession Condemned
Western Victoria MP Bev McArthur yesterday met Brauer College parent Danielle Shepherd, to discuss the school assembly last week at which all boys, some as young as 12, were required to stand up and apologise to female students on behalf of all men who have hurt or offended women.
Danielle Shepherd said her son, a year 7 pupil at the college, did not understand what he was being asked to do.
““He’s upset by it – he now has this misconception that everybody looks at him and males as predators or somebody wishing to do harm to someone in a sexualised manner – seriously, he’s 12.”
“The male staff were all made to stand up too. Some of the kids were confused, asking what offences their teachers had committed. It just added to the total confusion.”
Mrs McArthur said: “The school’s actions are completely wrong here, and I am pleased they have admitted that what happened was inappropriate.”
“Sadly, this kind of mistake is the inevitable consequence of ideology and fashion trumping common sense. Singling out an entire gender for attack is completely unjust, and it’s even worse when those being forced to apologise are so young.”
“This compulsory confession was a massive over-reaction. Being made to apologise for something you haven’t done isn’t just pointless, it could be psychologically harmful. It is quite possible to discuss issues of consent without holding all men, even young boys, responsible.”
“It’s also symptomatic of schools going too far in what they teach pupils. In my view teachers should not usurp the role of parents, and should focus on teaching the basics like reading, writing, and STEM subjects, to ensure students are prepared for future study and the workforce. Australian students are lagging behind their Asian counterparts by years in all these areas.
Mrs McArthur recalled her own excellent experience of Braeur College:
“My twin boys attended Brauer College for two years, under the outstanding leadership of principal Duncan Stalker. They received a great year 7 and 8 education, with excellent school discipline, where respect was instilled and achievement rewarded.”
“Schools certainly need to foster a considerate and disciplined environment, but this can only be done by demanding the highest standards from pupils teaching staff as individuals. Enforcing apologies based on collective guilt is the opposite of what is needed. It will make boys who know they have done nothing wrong feel attacked unjustly, undermining their sense of fairness and making them far more likely to reject the school’s discipline as a whole.”
30 March 2021