Principal Team Editorial

I wrestled with the decision about what content to add in this week's editorial and whilst there are pros and cons for either mentioning what I’m about to, or not, I decided that the more parents know, the better position they are in to be part of the solution. So here goes...

What do you know about Andrew Tate? And more importantly, what do your kids know (particularly if they are boys)? 

Andrew Tate has, sadly, been a popular social media figure that many students are familiar with, mostly for all the wrong reasons. Andrew Tate, like many others, is part of an online community described as a the “manosphere”.  

What is the manosphere?

The manosphere is a network of online men’s communities who promote anti-feminist and sexist beliefs blaming women and feminists for all sorts of problems in society. Many of these communities encourage resentment, or even hatred, towards women and girls. There are four main groups: 

- Men’s rights activists (MRAs) advocate political changes that will benefit men. However, much of their activism consists of harassment and abuse towards feminists and other female public figures. 

- Men going their own way (MGTOW) argue that women are so toxic that men should avoid them altogether. Some MGTOW will date women but avoid anything serious like getting married, while others won’t even be friends with women.  

- Pick-up artists (PUAs) teach men seduction strategies so that they can be more successful in attracting women. Many of these techniques involve mistreating women, such as insulting them (“negging”) or disregarding consent.   

- Involuntary celibates (incels) believe they are entitled to a relationship with a woman, but are incapable of finding a partner. Multiple acts of extreme violence and even murder have been attributed to this group.

Sadly, the “manosphere” is pervasive and its influence has penetrated deeply into schools and the lives of young people throughout the world. As an educator and school leader who works with young people every day, this kind of malicious disinformation can have enormous negative ramifications on our students.

We know the data collected by our Attitudes to School Survey indicates that our girls, on average, have a less positive experience at school than our boys. When we unpack this data with our girls, we do hear anecdotal evidence of inappropriate, unreasonable and unsafe behaviours occurring from a minority of boys towards girls. This is not to say that only boys perpetrate negative behaviours towards girls. 

We are steadfast in our commitment to putting a stop to this and have already rolled out some positive proactive strategies designed to prevent this. 

My concern is that an element of this type of attitude could be fostered through online content that young boys are engaging with. I encourage all parents, to have a conversation with their young people, about whether they know, or if they have seen or engaged with this sort of content online. If we (school and parents) can work together to prevent negative attitudes to girls and woman forming, then we can be a positive player in fostering a safe and supportive community. 

Gala Concert

Last night we held our annual Performing Arts Gala Concert. It was the first since 2019 (pre-covid) and it was great to be back in the audience watching our students with the support of their teachers, excelling on stage. A big congratulations to all who performed and a specific thank you to Danny van Bergen, the leader of Performing Arts and all of the teachers who again made this an outstanding event.

Staffing

We are proud to announce that Shane Kruger has being appointed to the Lilydale Heights Principal position. This term he has been Acting Principal and next term he will take on the role in an ongoing capacity. We wish Shane all the best in his new role. 

Tony Stirling will continue as Acting Assistant Principal of the Middle Years and we will be looking to appoint a new Assistant Principal to replace Shane starting next year.

Darren Hoogkamer is returning from leave next term and he will be moving into the Senior School to support the Year 10, 11 and 12 students. 

Kevin Murphy

Principal