Elite boys-only school allows trans student

One of the nation’s oldest boys-only colleges will let a male student who has transitioned to female stay at the school in a largely student-led decision.

Adelaide’s Prince Alfred College has decided that the Year 12 student, known only as Alice, can become PAC’s first transgender female student.

One of Australia’s oldest and most exclusive boys-only colleges will let a male student who has transitioned to female remain at the school, even though it is still not co-ed and does not accept female students.

In a sensitive and complicated case, Adelaide’s prestigious Prince Alfred College has decided that the Year 12 student, known only as Alice, can become PAC’s first transgender female student as she completes her final year of studies this year.

The Australian understands the decision to stand by Alice has largely been student-led – the boys at the school have been overwhelmingly supportive of their fellow pupil’s decision to transition and remain at the $28,200-a-year college.

Principal Bradley Fenner wrote to PAC families on Tuesday night explaining the background to Alice’s story and the school’s decision to break with 152 years of tradition by letting her become its first transgender female student.

Aside from during World War II when a small number of girls were allowed to study at Princes, the school has only ever been open to boys.

Mr Fenner’s letter followed what one parent at the school described as a “moving” discussion on Tuesday between Alice and her Year 12 classmates where she confirmed her new status as a woman.

Mr Fenner confirmed that discussion in his letter and commended the students for their maturity and sensitivity in their response.

“This morning, a student who has been at Prince Alfred College since the Early Learning Centre has told her peers that she is transgender, identifies as a woman and henceforth will be known as Alice,” Mr Fenner wrote.

“The response from the Year 12 cohort was, as we would have hoped and expected, both respectful and supportive.

“Alice has been dealing with gender dysphoria for some time and has been well-supported in her journey by a range of professionals, both within and outside the College.

“We are aware of some transgender PAC Old Scholars, but Alice is the first student to transition whilst at the College. It was Alice’s desire and preference to remain at Prince Alfred College and we support her fully in this.”

The principal also said a new uniform was being designed for Alice that better suited her gender.

“We are currently resolving issues relating to uniform and presentation with Alice, so that she is able to express her transition in that way,” he wrote.

PAC was established by the Methodist Church in 1869 when the colony of South Australia was just 36 years old and has produced 19 Rhodes Scholars. Its alumni also include: politicians such as former senators Cory Bernardi and Nick Xenophon and former WA premier Newton Moore; business leaders including Holden founder Edward Holden, Coopers Brewery’s chairman Glenn Cooper and chief executive Tim Cooper and former Clipsal chief executive Rob Gerard; dancer Robert Helpmann; and d’Arenberg winemaker Chester Osborn.

It also has a proud sporting history as the alma mater of Test cricketers Ian, Greg and Trevor Chappell, Greg Blewett, Tim May, several Olympic rowers and dozens of SANFL and AFL players.

The Australian has spoken to parents at the school who said they supported the handling of the matter but also acknowledged it was an unusual situation.

“It does raise a few issues because the whole school has only ever been geared around having boys,” one mother said.

“I think it is great that the boys have been so welcoming and accepting, and apparently the process by which she explained her new life was very moving and they are all supporting her.

“It does raise a few logistical questions, though, around things like use of the toilets and so on in what has only ever been a boy’s school. There is also the other question of it still being a non-co-ed school which isn’t open to students who were actually born girls.”

In his letter to parents, Mr Fenner recognised parents and students may have questions and provided links to websites including www.trans101.org.au and minus18.org.au with information about gender identity issues.

Mr Fenner concluded his letter stating the acceptance of Alice was in keeping with the PAC mission statement valuing inclusion and the celebration of diversity.

“I believe it is a compliment to the College, our staff and students that Alice wishes to complete her schooling here,” he said.

“Whilst there will no doubt be some challenges along the way, Alice has felt very well-supported by those closest to her and the key staff involved.

“Our Strategic Plan commits us to ‘Promote a culture of inclusion where diversity in all its forms is valued and celebrated’. Supporting Alice is a tangible demonstration of this commitment.”

The case of Alice is the second involving a male student becoming a female at an exclusive private college in less than a year.

In April last year a student at Xavier College – a $29,870-a-year Catholic school in Kew in Melbourne’s inner-east – was supported by the school when announcing she was transitioning to a female.

As with the PAC case, Xavier principal William Doherty wrote to parents saying that while gender fluidity issues prompt a range of different opinions, the school aimed to respect “the dignity of each and every unique person”.

“After an extensive period of personal discernment, specialist advice and counselling, we note that a Year 12 student has today announced to the Xavier community her identity as female,” the letter stated.

“We welcome the opportunity of companioning her through this emotional and challenging time in her life, through her remaining at the College and into her life beyond at Xavier.”