School to ditch gender divide during assemblies
A Nelson school is ditching separating boys and girls at assemblies after a diversity group argued it discriminated against gender diverse students.
The Waimea College decision ends a tradition of 61-years and has been described as a ‘‘monumental moment’’ by a year 13 student who said students should be allowed to decide where they sit.
School diversity captain and school leaver Cat McNicholl said it would have been an injustice to have left the school with a segregated seating arrangement.
‘‘You should feel safe, not discriminated over something as mundane as an assembly,’’ she said.
‘‘Even though it’s a tradition, I don’t think it is necessary.’’
Pride members agreed they would prefer to have the option on who they are seated next to, and not be defined by gender.
McNicholl proposed the change, on behalf of the Pride group which advocate for the school’s Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community. She discussed it with principal Scott Haines, and deputy principal Graeme Smith.
The college said it valued student voice and made the change to ensure the school met the needs of all its students.
Haines did not want to comment further before parents were fully informed.
McNicholl hoped future Waimea College students would be seated in their respective houses, which were mixed gender.
Other co-educational schools Nayland College, Garin College, and Golden Bay High School already had mixed seating.
Motueka High School deputy principal Stacey Fry said it intended to trial mixed seating in term 1 of next year.