Melbourne school renames Mother’s Day stall in bid for inclusion

A Melbourne primary school is renaming this year’s Mother’s Day stall an “appreciation” stall to be more inclusive of its diverse community, saying it no longer subscribes to a binary world.

Brunswick East Primary School has rebadged its Mother’s Day stall.

An inner Melbourne primary school is renaming this year’s Mother’s Day stall an “appreciation” stall to be more inclusive of its diverse school community.

Brunswick East Primary School will rebadge Friday’s stall and September’s traditional Father’s Day stall after consultation with the school council, families and students.

“I sincerely hope that this change in name will show that we as a community recognise that our families are not made up of any particular combination of people and that we no longer subscribe to a binary world,” principal Janet Di Pilla told families.

VCE STUDENTS URGED TO GET FLU JAB

IS YOUR SUBURB GETTING A NEW SCHOOL?

Many schools are having fundraising stalls, breakfasts and other activities this week in the run up to Mother’s Day on Sunday.

While some schools have sought to broaden the days to include other significant figures and renamed Grandparents’ Day to Special Persons’ Day, the school has gone step further.

Mother’s Day is a thing of the past at Brunswick East Primary School.

Writing in the newsletter, Ms Di Pilla said she hoped the decision would not upset anyone.

She apologised to families who may have felt left out in the past.

“I am sorry that in the past we have offended some members of our community and I hope that this acknowledgment goes some way to address any hurt which has occurred in the past,” she said.

It is suggested that students bring $10 to spend at the stall.

While traditional Mum’s day stalls offer “I Love Mum” mugs, cups and trinkets, candles, soaps and smelly things, the Brunswick East stall will have handmade and home made goods. The school community was asked to donate goodies such as fudge, quince paste, kimchi, cordial, biscuits, balls, slices and the like that would travel safely home in a school bag for gift giving on Sunday.

“We will be holding two of these days each year; one to coincide with the ‘traditional’ Mother’s Day and the other to coincide with the ‘traditional’ Father’s Day.”

Posters suggest children can buy for mums, parents, grandmothers, special people and carers.

She said there had been a “lot of discussion about the reason we celebrate these days and the naming of the celebration”.

WHY COFFEE IS OFF THE MENU AT TOORAK

“I believe that days like this are important because we do need to stop and show gratitude for those around us,” she said.

“The adults who care for us are important and it is important that we as a school, help students to think of others and not just themselves.”

But she said it also was important to make the occasions as inclusive as possible.

“I have spoken to a range of parents, about half the students in the school and we have discussed this issue extensively at school council,” she said.

A parent at the school, who did not wish to be named, said that she was comfortable with the decision.

“Not many families look like those shown in a Myer or David Jones’ catalogue. Our school, and many others, is made up lots of different families. Some kids, for whatever reason, may not have a mother in their lives, so I don’t mind if they broaden the stall so those kids feel included,” she said.

[e-mail]