Kids pulled from Freshwater Creek Steiner School over transgender talks

Kids are being pulled from an alternative Surf Coast primary school, with parents claiming they are being “muzzled” after kids as young as five were taught about gender transitions.

Freshwater Creek Steiner School. Picture: Alison Wynd

      

Outraged parents are pulling their kids out of an alternative Surf Coast primary school after

it doubled down on teaching students as young as five about gender transitions.

Parents from Freshwater Creek Steiner School have raised concerns that children were being told they could choose their gender and having “complex” LGBTQIA+ discussions.

The school, which has about 125 students, says it is inclusive and accepts families with an array of beliefs.

But one mum, who identifies as bisexual, said she was planning to unenroll her children on Friday, and that she knew of another who’d taken her three kids out.

She said families at the school had been tight-knit and diverse, but now felt divided.

“I used to have a beautiful relationship with my child’s teacher, now she won’t even talk to me,” she said.

She said the school was inclusive and it had been “very common” to see families with two mums or a transitioning parent.

“Nobody cares,” she said.

But to teach the children about “complex” LGBTQIA+ issues from prep, she said, felt too early.

A father, who did not wish to be named, said confused parents had been invited to a school seminar to discuss their questions, but instead the school had simply doubled down on their approach.

“We were told how it was, no open conversations,” he said.

“We had to write questions down, we weren’t allowed to speak.”

The parent said the school had given attendees a slide show presentation to explain that sex and gender were different.

“I know every parent with concerns about this is not transphobic, we just don’t think the conversations should be happening around six-year-olds,” he said.

“We don’t let kids drive a car, get tattoos … but you can change your gender?”

Another parent at the school, Tom, said he disagreed with other parents’ claims, and his three children had not been taught about sexuality at all.

“It’s just a lot of gossip in carparks,” he said.

“If they want to leave, they can just leave.

“It’s a small school that does a great job.”

Principal Gabby Brennan said all of the school’s policies and codes of conduct designed to protect the wellbeing of students were available from reception, or on the website, including the complaints and grievance procedures.

Ms Brennan said parents were always given opportunity to discuss concerns in person, with forums and meetings with staff.

“We regret if any parent decides to withdraw their child from the school, but our enrolments and applications for future enrolments remain strong.” she said.

The content summaries were created with the assistance of AI technology, then edited and approved for publication by an editor.

Originally published as Kids pulled from Freshwater Creek Steiner School over transgender talks