Parents at elite Aussie school outraged after transgender student smashes records at sports day
The parents of a private Catholic school have lashed out at a transgender student who broke multiple athletics records during the annual sports day.
An angry father from the South Australian school, which has not been named but costs parents $5000-a-year, said the student won the 'majority' of events.
'All the parents were talking about it, even the primary school parents,' the father-of-two told news.com.au.
'There was just a lot of chat about a boy (who) transitioned into a girl, (who was) breaking all the girls' records.'
The man, who is a local builder, said he didn't want the student to 'cop abuse' but added: 'We can't allow this kind of stuff to happen, to change the whole school for one person.'
Another father echoed the sentiment, telling the publication that 'the entire day was marred'.
'A lot of parents with kids competing, they felt essentially that the school was wronging their kids.
'In the name of fairness they were making it completely unfair for 10 or 15 or 20 other girls.'
Multiple parents have reportedly contacted the school regarding the sports day, including the first father who emailed the principal.
'Physically boys will be able to outcompete girls, hence the need for male and female sports,' he said in the email seen by news.com.au.
'Also taking from some poor girl an opportunity to further herself in her athletics.'
The father also complained in the email about the school introducing gender-neutral toilets, as well as criticising how the school had generally taken a 'downward turn'.
'It seems to be more run like a public school with poorer standards in dress code and representation.
'We send our children to this school for Catholic structure, rules that are set for all to adhere to and a safer environment than a public school.'
The father said he received a call from the principal but claimed she didn't answer his questions and said 'we can appreciate your concerns' repeatedly.
The SA Education Department has said that, for competitive sports at schools, 'the goal (is for) full participation by gender diverse children and young people in all types of sport activity'.
'All children and young people must be supported to participate in events that align with their gender identity,' its policy document said.
'This includes all sport run by schools including inter-school competitions and School Sport SA.'
The document noted that both Commonwealth and state legislation prohibits educational authorities, which includes schools, from discriminating on the basis of gender identity.
'Compliance with law overrides any complaint the school might receive about including a gender diverse child or young person in any competitive sport.'
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