The Catholic Weekly 2 May 2021

$2 It was a very well-informed document, and the end result of a representative exercise to consult far and wide and try to distil a common position for Catholic education on this very important issue and we successfully did that.” Dallas McInerney THE CHIEF executive officer of Catholic Schools NSW Dal- las McInerney says that a law to prohibit the teaching of gender ideology in schools in the state is a necessary “line in the sand” to support par- ents as well as to keep polit- ical ideology out of teaching materials. The organisation supports Mark Latham’s ‘Parental Rights Bill’ currently being considered by parliament. The Bill aims to amend the state’s education legislation to ensure parents of students in New South Wales schools are aware of what is taught in their children’s classrooms. It would stop schools from providing instruction on ide- ologically-based and political material that is inconsistent with the wishes and values of parents, and give parents the right to withdraw students from classes they object to. In particular, the Bill seeks to prohibit the promotion of gender fluidity in schools while not affecting the rights of trans- gender students to support and wellbeing in schools. It has drawn criticism from some groups that believe such a lawwould ban all discussion of sexuality and gender in classrooms and further mar- ginalise students with gender dysphoria. Executive director of Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta, Greg Whitby, broke ranks with peak body Catholic Schools NSW with a separate submission oppos- ing the Latham Bill, stating that it “represents an unac- ceptable incursion into the professional judgement of Catholic schools and school systems”. He told media that he be- lieved the Catholic Schools NSW position “is an ill-in- formed approach to what the issues may or may not be”. “It’s not for a school or a central office or dare I say even politicians to make those decisions,” he told The Sun-Herald . “If you seek to codify those things, you are putting a per- sonal perspective on what’s right and what’s wrong.” Mr McInerney told The Catholic Weekly that its sub- mission to a parliamentary inquiry last month was the result of an “extensive consul- tation” with all 11 of the state’s diocesan school systems and congregational schools. “Itwas averywell-informed document, and the end result of a representative exercise to consult far and wide and try to distil a common position for Catholic education on this very important issue and we successfully did that,” said the education leader. CONTINUED PAGE 2 Lathamlaw:parents, studentsneedprotectionfromideologies inclassroomsayskeyCatholicEdleader ¾ Marilyn Rodrigues 2, May, 2021 CALL YOURSELF PRO-LIFE? MISCARRIAGE AS BEREAVEMENT P12 Looking for a new job? www.catholicjobsonline.com.au Don’t weaponise activists through schools P18 Catholic Schools NSW CEO Dallas McInerney says “a line in the sand” needs to be drawn in the interests of students, parents and families and that Mark Latham’s draft legislation does not prevent Catholic schools reaching out to and supporting students who present with gender dysphoria. PHOTO: BEN CONNOLLY