Freshwater Creek Steiner School teaches kids as young as five about gender transitions, sexuality

Children as young as five are being given lessons about sexuality and gender identity and transitioning at a Surf Coast school.

Parents of Freshwater Creek Steiner School have raised concerns their children are being taught about gender identity and sexuality at a young age. Picture: Alison Wynd

Prep students are being taught about gender identity and sexuality at an alternative school on the Surf Coast, with parents furious their kids are being exposed to “inappropriate” conversations.

Families at Freshwater Creek Steiner School have raised concerns their children’s curriculum now includes “complex” discussions around LGBTQIA+ topics.

One parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said her child was being taught about gender transitioning and how kids can choose their own gender.

The mother said as many as 15 families were concerned about the lessons with some even considering pulling their children out of the school.

“It feels like a dirty little secret,” she said.

“They are little kids, there is no parental guidance and the school is teaching this even after lots of parents are saying no.”

The mum said the school celebrated Rainbow Day earlier in the year and Wear It Purple Day on August 30, an annual LGBTQIA+ awareness day for young people.

“I don’t have an issue with that, I’m very aligned with the (queer) community,” she said.

“Our issue is they are explaining these concepts to kids as young as five.

“These are not age appropriate conversations about sex because those letters mean something and they can be complex.”

The mum said a gender diversity talk was held for parents on September 17 to help address the issues.

“(The school) said we could all come and ask questions and talk about it,” she said.

“Instead it was an hour and a half of them teaching parents how to address people and how to use pronouns correctly.

“So many parents are so alarmed and angry that our boundaries are being crossed.”

She said many families enrolled their child in a Steiner school for a different upbringing and “to honour their innocence”.

“So many of us believe when you start introducing talks about sexuality and gender, you are stunting that innocence and discussing complex topics way too early,” she said.

Another mother said a majority of parents were against the school exposing their children to “adult content”.

“(The school) is claiming it’s about being inclusive and we’re not arguing against that,” she said.

“We’re a very diverse community.

“We just don’t want our kids at such a young age being exposed to it. We’re coming up against a brick wall.”

Freshwater Creek Steiner School. Picture: Alison Wynd

Freshwater Creek Steiner School head of school, Gabby Brennan, said the school was committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful environment.

“Our approach is aligned with our school values, Steiner educational principles and our obligations under the Victorian government’s mandatory Child Safe Standards, which require us to uphold equity and respect diverse needs,” she said.

“We seek to understand the diverse circumstances of students and to provide support to vulnerable students, including LGBTIQA+ students.

“All parents should be aware of these policies and our obligations.”

Ms Brennan said she valued parents’ feedback.

“Our school community in general has been very supportive of our open and proactive approach to inclusivity, but any parent who still has questions can contact me at any time,” she said.

“We respect the right of parents to make their own decisions about where and in which way their children are educated.”

Originally published as Freshwater Creek Steiner School teaches kids as young as five about gender transitions, sexuality