Birrong Girls High School principal warns students over incidents of racism, ‘escalating homophobia’

A public Sydney girls high school principal has issued a stern warning to students in response to incidents of racism, ‘escalating homophobia’ and ‘hostility’ among pupils.

A principal at a public Sydney girls high school has issued a stern warning to students in response to incidents of racism, “escalating homophobia” and “student hostility” among pupils.

Birrong Girls High School principal Zena Dabaja has contacted parents and used a school newsletter to call out “unacceptable behaviour” at the 845-student campus in Sydney’s southwest.

Ms Dabaja has not elaborated on the incidents, but it is understood some of the homophobic comments were made in response to a ‘wear it purple day’ event, aimed at supporting young people from the LGBTIQA+ community.

Ms Dabaja said the behaviour, taken place on social media and on school grounds, would “not be tolerated”.

“Currently, there are students who are engaging in unacceptable behaviour that is racist, prejudiced and/or homophobic,” Ms Dabaja wrote in a letter to parents.

The high school has more than 800 students.

“We have seen student hostility when others are participating in class conversations and expressing opinions different to theirs.

“We have seen student hostility and injustice towards minority groups within our school community. There are no exceptions and there are no excuses.

A photo of one of the letters sent to parents.

Ms Dabaja said there have been racist incidents at the school.

“Inclusion and diversity is a basic right for every student at the school. How they dress, what they eat, what they believe in. The colour of their skin or their sexual orientation is also part of the criteria for inclusion and respect.”

Ms Dabaja declined to provide details about the incidents and referred comment to the Education Department.

The Education Department in a statement said the unacceptable behaviour was by “a small minority”.

For 19-year-old Ali Eldick, whose younger sister goes to the school, the reports of bullying were extremely concerning.

A photo outside the school.

“I’ve suffered bullying myself, and I didn’t appreciate it one bit,” Mr Eldick said.

One parent said they did not send their child to school on ‘wear it purple day’, saying it was against their religion, and had made complaints to the Education Department.

Unprompted, the parent also complained about a teacher using the gender-neutral pronoun Mx.

A photo of the girls school.

The Education Department in a statement said the leadership at Birrong Girls High School has “acted to ensure the school remains a respectful place”.

“Hostility towards other students is not tolerated. Birrong Girls High School will continue to work with the community and the Department of Education to ensure the school remains a place that is free from discrimination and prejudice.

Ms Dabaja has encouraged parents of students “to manage conversations at home to ensure their children understand that respect is not negotiable”.

“We all have a role to play to ensure that no staff member or student is treated with hostility or disrespect for any reason,” she said.

“All students are on notice about this and further discussions will be conducted at school with consequences issued to those who are in breach of these core values.”