Sherwood Ridge Primary School: Principal reverses Anzac Day opt-out decision

A Sydney primary school principal has made a stunning backflip on her decision to allow students to opt out of an Anzac Day service after she faced intense criticism from parents and veterans.

A Sydney primary school principal who faced intense criticism from parents and veterans after she told students they could opt out of an Anzac Day service has made a stunning backflip on her decision.

In an email to families on Wednesday, Sherwood Ridge Primary School principal Jody Sullivan said it was the school’s expectation that “all students” now attend its special Anzac Day service on April 10.

It comes after The Daily Telegraph revealed on Tuesday that the move was labelled as an “insult” to families of veterans.

“The message sent out last month was seen as disrespectful by some members of the broader community and has detracted from our longstanding tradition of acknowledging and respecting Anzac Day in our school,” Ms Sullivan said.

“I want to apologise for this,” she added.

Sherwood Ridge Public School was planning to allow students to opt out of the Anzac Day service in order to accommodate a small number of Christian students. Picture: Google

Ms Sullivan told parents last week they could let teachers know if they didn’t want their children to attend to accommodate a small number of Christian students who don’t “commemorate war”.

The state government school in Kellyville in Sydney’s Hills District, chose to hold the event on an earlier date due to school holidays.

In a statement on Wednesday morning, Education Minister and Deputy Premier Prue Car said all schools were expected to “respect (the) tradition” of Anzac Day.

“Schools should respect this tradition as well,” Ms Car said.

“The principal should not have sent out that email to the school and the Secretary will be speaking to her this morning.”

Former Veterans Affairs Minister David Elliott said he was left “speechless” by the move, claiming it was an “insult to the families of the 100,000 who died for this country”. Picture: Tim Hunter.

NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said: “She (the principal) understands that Anzac Day assemblies in public schools have never been and never will, under my leadership, be an opt in special assembly.”

“A parent may not want their child to participate in a particular lesson or particular area of the curriculum, they have always been able to approach the school … It won’t be opt in,” Mr Dizdar said on Wednesday.

“But … if that were the stance, we’d have to respect the parents’ wishes.”

The Education Minister has now intervened, calling on all schools to “respect the tradition” of Anzac Day.

Former Commando and RSL NSW President Mick Bainbridge said Anzac Day was one of the “most significant days” on the national calendar.

“It’s important to understand that Anzac Day is not a celebration of war; in fact, Anzac Day commemorates the horrors of war and ensures the sacrifices of those who served and died are never forgotten,” Mr Bainbridge said.

Veteran Michael Benyk, who served in the navy during the Vietnam War between 1968-69, said the decision to allow students to opt out of the service was “wrong”.

Former Veterans Affairs Minister David Elliott was also left “speechless” by the move.