St Joseph’s Primary School in Yarra Junction denies access to grandparents for classroom event

Furious grandparents say they were treated like “criminals” after they were denied access to a classroom event at a Catholic primary school, leaving their grandchildren on the verge of tears.

Furious grandparents say they were treated like ‘criminals’ after they were denied access to a classroom event at St Joseph’s Primary School. Picture: Facebook

Furious grandparents say they were treated like “criminals” after they were denied access to a classroom event at a Catholic primary school, leaving their grandchildren on the verge of tears.

St Joseph’s Primary School in Yarra Junction hosted an “Inquiry Afternoon” for its grade one and two students on Friday to teach them about how “technology and the world has changed over time”, according to an invitation seen by the Herald Sun.

Grandparents or a special person were encouraged to attend the event and to “bring something old they may have at home to present to the students”, such as an old game toy or technology.

Photos shared to social media captured some students beaming as their loved ones showcased old photos, telephones, cameras, clocks and a unicycle.

But not all pupils had the same opportunity to show off their grandparent’s prized possessions, after a small group of family members were told they couldn’t be in the classroom as they didn’t hold a Working with Children Check.

Grandparents were encouraged to bring an item of old technology to show students. Picture: Facebook

But several grandparents were denied entry to the event because they hadn’t had Working With Children checks. Picture: Facebook

One grandmother told the Herald Sun her granddaughter almost “bursted into tears” when she was called to the office to meet her grandma.

“When I turned up to the school I was directed to the office so we could sign in,” she said.

“Someone said ‘make sure you have your Working with Children Check with you’, and I said, ‘I’m sorry I don’t have one … so they bought my grandchild out (of class).

“Then we sat in the staffroom and we videoed the items with my grandchild talking about what it was about and then she went back into the classroom and I went home. It was very disappointing.”

The grandmother said she has attended the school for similar events in previous years and has never had such an experience.

“I will get a Working with Children Check if I get asked to go to anymore grandparents’ days,” she said.

A second grandmother said she felt “like a criminal and a bit empty” after she was told she couldn’t sit in her granddaughter’s classroom.

“I swapped days to have the Friday off work and there was another couple there who came from Yea and they couldn’t go in either,” she said.

“I can understand if it’s one-on-one if you’re on an excursion because you’re taking them to the toilet and things but we were in a room full of people … and there were heaps of grandparents there.”

A Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools spokeswoman said the organisation took its responsibility to keep schools safe ‘extremely seriously’. Picture: Facebook

While the grandmothers both realised there was a note on the back of the invitation informing them they required a Working with Children Check, they said “better communication” was needed.

A Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools spokeswoman said the organisation took its responsibility for keeping its schools safe “extremely seriously”.

“We appreciate there has been confusion regarding what is required from volunteers, visitors, and guests in relation to Grandparents Day at St Joseph’s Primary School, Yarra Junction,” the spokeswoman said.

“Our schools are required to comply with the child safe standards.

“This means that they must mitigate risks to the safety and wellbeing of children. As part of this obligation, schools are free to ask anyone on school grounds to hold a working with children clearance.

“There was advance notice to all St Joseph’s families on this requirement with 29 grandparents signing in on Friday with a working with children clearance.

“We acknowledge the disappointing experience of the four grandparents who couldn’t attend the Grandparents Day and are attempting to call these families this morning.”

Originally published as St Joseph’s Primary School in Yarra Junction denies access to grandparents for classroom event