Boyer denies ‘woke’ agenda behind student’s ‘luv’ letter suspension

A state MP lashed “woke gender politics” a child was suspended over a note to her friend. But the education minister says there’s more to the story.

The education minister has rejected claims “woke politics” are behind a seven-year-old’s suspension from an Adelaide school after an SA Best MP told parliament she has been punished over a love letter to another student.

Education Minister Blair Boyer launched an investigation on Saturday when made aware of the complaint and said there were other issues at play.

“Schools do not suspend students for sending love letters,’’ Mr Boyer said.

“There had been a range of complex behaviours and incidents that led to the suspension, and a number of conversations between the parent and the school – which the letter and ‘contract’ do not accurately reflect.

“This will also be looked at as part of the investigation.

“Any suggestion that there are so-called ‘woke’ gender policies creeping into our schools is rubbish.”

Education, Training and Skills Minister Blair Boyer said the issue was more complex than it appeared. Picture: Emma Brasier

His comments came after SA Best MP Frank Pangallo told parliament an innocent expression of “luv” caused the seven-year-old girl with developmental issues to be suspended from a public school and accused of sexual harassment.

Found by a teacher even before she could pass it to her friend, the girl was interrogated and the “luv” note deemed to be “unsafe” and sexual harassment.

Her grandfather has expressed his dismay on behalf of the family and the student with special needs, and the issue has been raised in state parliament by SA-Best MLC Frank Pangallo.

After being sent home for the day, on her return the girl was forced to sign a statement that “I will not tell kids I love them”.

Mr Pangallo said he was stunned when the issue was raised with him, and this week demanded answers in parliament from Education Minister Blair Boyer.

Mr Pangallo will not name the state government northern suburbs school, the girl, or the object of her affection, a boy in her class who she is friends with.

This is the innocent expression of "love" that caused a 7-year-old girl to be suspended from a northern suburbs school. Picture: Frank Pangallo.

“This type of punishment for what was a sweet gesture by a seven year old is totally absurd and over the top,’’ Mr Pangallo said.

“You don’t treat a child who might have special needs in such a harsh manner.

“Woke gender policies creeping into our schools are causing harm which is why trained and professional guidance and supervision must be made available.”

The girl’s grandfather, who asked to be identified only as Trevor, said the ordeal had left him “really angry”, and the signed statement was a form of child abuse.

“It made me really angry to think they did this because of an innocent love note written by a child who is just seven,’’ he said.

MLC Frank Pangallo. Picture: Emma Brasier

The warning letter from the school suspending the seven year old student and suggesting her love note was "sexual harassment". Picture: Frank Pangallo.

“My grand daughter is a lively child and she has been bullied and teased by kids at her school, but not much has been done about that.

“She just wants to make friends in the only way a seven-year old knows how and that is by expressing affection in a note.

“They are implying it is sexual harassment. A child at that age wouldn’t even know what it means.

“My daughter is a single mum trying her best to raise her daughter and three year old son who has a medical condition while working hard to make a go in her business.”

The apology "signed" by the seven year old in which she had to state: "I will not tell kids I love them." Picture: Frank Pangallo.

A de-identified letter from the principal to the girl’s family states; “she acted in a manner that threatens the safety or wellbeing of a student”, “including by sexually harassing …”.

Mr Pangallo said the issue was very personal for his family, as one of his children has Asperger’s syndrome.

He said he supported a state government policy of having specialist support staff on call in schools to handle behavioural issues.

“But what were they thinking here? Did they consider the child and her mother might have legal rights too?” Mr Pangallo said.

“The Education Department and the Minister need to come out and say whether they condone this conduct or denounce as unacceptable. overreach.

“This is loopy political correctness. It demonstrates that left-wing woke policies are infecting our public schools, challenging teaching and learning methods.”