Top barrister praises PAC student who will finish studies at all-boys school as a girl

A top Adelaide lawyer – who transitioned from male to female 10 years ago – is proud that a young man can transition to a girl at a top Adelaide boys’ college.

High-profile Adelaide barrister and transgender rights advocate Heather Stokes has praised a Prince Alfred College student for continuing their studies at the exclusive boys’ school as a girl.

Ms Stokes said it would have taken “courage” to be the school’s first transgender student – Alice – as she continues her year 12 studies.

Ms Stokes became a spokeswoman for transgender rights when she publicly shared her transition to being Heather in 2012.

“I’m very proud of the lass and what she has done because it really takes courage to go out and make that step in public, particularly at an all-boys school,” Ms Stokes said

“She has done the right thing and … I commend PAC for doing the right thing.”

Prince Alfred College headmaster Bradley Fenner wrote to parents on Tuesday evening to share that the year 12 student would stay at the school.

He said the school community had welcomed Alice’s news after she gave a “powerful” speech to 150 classmates.

Exterior of Prince Alfred College main building. Pic James Knowler

Prominent defence lawyer Heather Stokes is proud of Alice’s transition to a female student. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“The response from the year 12 cohort was, as we would have hoped and expected, both respectful and supportive,” the letter said.

“Alice has been dealing with gender dysphoria for some time and has been well-supported in her journey by a range of professionals, both within and outside the college.”

Alice is in discussions with the school about an appropriate uniform.

Ms Stokes hoped Alice’s story would inspire others thinking of transitioning to the opposite gender.

“I hope we see this support at other schools for both female-to-male and male-to-female students,” Ms Stokes said.

PAC’s early learning centre includes girl students, and a small number of girls studied there during World War II. But the school has always been boys-only school since its founding in 1869.

Kindred Spirits Australia – which hosts support groups for transgender and gender diverse people – welcomed the news.

Co-founder Gail Claremont Goulet said teachers should be fully across Alice’s needs, which includes always calling her by the correct pronoun and name.

“It is a breath of fresh air to see a school such as PAC accept and support a transgender person,” Ms Claremont Goulet said.

Pride of the South president Shayne Glasgow said PAC’s decision to accept Alice should encourage government funding for support programs in schools.

“We need systems in place for the LGBTIQA+ community to make sure they are looked after – youth certainly need that help,” Ms Glasgow said.