Leeway for gay way

By Lia Bichel
HALLAM Senior College is one of eleven Victorian schools, which have joined an Australian-first initiative in support of gay and lesbian students and staff.
The State Government provided an $80,000 grant to the Rainbow Network Victoria and Foundation for Young Australians to establish the Safe Schools Coalition Victoria – a network of schools formed to tackle homophobia in schools.
Education Minister Bronwyn Pike said the initiative would encourage schools to be more proactive in embracing gender questioning or same sex attracted students.
“Children must feel included and welcome at school – and their sexuality should not be a barrier to their education and emotional development,” she said.
“The schools coalition will provide training, resources, consultancy and support for other schools, teachers and students in Victoria. The resources will include posters, booklets and information for school newsletters.
Hallam Senior College assistant principal Bernadette Bowling said the school wanted to be part of the initiative as staff wanted to ensure every student felt welcomed.
“As a school, we are really keen on making sure each individual student at school is made to feel as though they belong here for who they are,” she said.
“We are working proactively to eliminate any form of discrimination that may occur.”
Welfare co-ordinator Julia Nicholson said the school promoted support and acceptance of gay and lesbian students and staff before the school joined the initiative.
“At the start of the year, a lot of young people were identified as same-sex attracted. I wanted to let them know they are supported in our school I would always hope for that,” she said.
“We have an amazing bunch of students. And I think our school is very unique in that the students are very accepting of anyone.”
Ms Pike said The Safe Schools Coalition Victoria hopes the information they supply to schools will reinforce government policy and resources that support sexual diversity, and address homophobic bullying in the schoolyard.
“I encourage more schools to consider joining the initiative and become leadership beacons for other schools in their area.”