Major change is needed at St. Mike’s

Re Six students charged in alleged sex assault at private boys school, Nov. 20

I have something for the St. Mike’s suggestion box that might help. Years ago, I attended Michael Power, a satellite high school of St. Mike’s in Etobicoke. Michael Power was also administered and taught mostly by the Basilian Fathers. (Not the case today at St. Mike’s.) Our school also touted the same motto as St. Mikes’s (“Teach me … etc.”) but back then, there were similar “climate” problems that were worrisome, but not really discussed openly. In 1963, the parents and the administration at that “other” Basilian school came up with an idea that, at the time, was radical. Admit female students. Things changed. Fast. What was ‘invisible” became very visible in the hallways and in the classes. I remember talking about the effects of this radicalism in the locker room with my mates. “Zowie!” we said. “Who knew?” Bill Smart, Toronto Thank you, Mike Macdonald, for throwing more light on the “toxic” atmosphere of hypermasculinity at St. Michael’s College School. While acclaimed for it’s academic and athletic successes, it is becoming clear what the cost of those successes are and one has to ask if it is worth the cost. Two things become clear. First, is that the all-male model of education is conducive to the atmosphere that prevails. It is past time for the introduction of young women at the school. Second, is the obvious need for a modernized sex education program, which helps students understand their own sexuality and open their minds to alternatives to the brutal masculine identity of times past. The incidents that have just now come to public light need to be taken seriously and a wholesale change needs to happen. Stephen Bloom, Toronto Do these allegations at St. Michael’s warrant the over-the-top print and non-print media coverage that is occurring? Yes, these were terrible acts that should not be happening. Do the press really need to gather outside the school and courthouse to hound students, parents and the young offender accused for statements? There have been many shootings and murders in this city that have not garnered this much attention. All those involved will have to face the consequences of their behaviour, but one of those consequences should not be this media tsunami we are witnessing. Greg Sheehan, Mississauga