The principal of a public primary school in Sydney’s south has been stood aside, and is under investigation, after year six students were allegedly subjected to a graphic sex education discussion.
Eleni Petinos, the Member for Miranda, raised the incident at Illawong Public School in Parliament last week, revealing a parent had told her that “the person’s actions have advanced her child’s knowledge far exceeding the knowledge of a 12-year-old”.
Petinos says the community and parents were “extremely concerned and upset” that the discussion took place on 7 November after students took part in the Amazing Me sex education program.
NSW Minister for Education Prue Car says the actions taken against the principal were serious. Car apologised to parents.
Students were allegedly told to submit questions anonymously, and when these were answered, it allegedly led to discussions about adult streaming websites and sex acts.
Although the Amazing Me program was being delivered with the backing of the parent community, Petinos says that “what parents did not consent to, however, was a school staff member’s discretion around an appropriate follow-up conversation”.
“And having any question students wanted answered by the individual.”
‘I’m sorry to those parents’
Car says there is now “a relieving principal in place, while the principal’s activities are subject to an investigation by the department of education, professional and ethical standards unit”.
“That is very serious — and I will let that investigation take place,” she says.
Car describes the school’s behaviour as unacceptable but reinforces that sex education is part of the curriculum.
“Any parents of children that are in year five or year six know part of that curriculum around that time is sex education.
“As awkward as that may be for our children, and you do have to consent to your child taking part in that, that part of the curriculum happens everywhere.”
