Daniel Andrews says the Safe Schools program is here to stay

Daniel Andrews says the Safe Schools program is here to stay

AN irritated dad has penned a letter to his daughter’s school blasting the old-fashioned gender-divide in activities offered to Year 6 students.

“I must draw your attention to a serious incident,” wrote the New South Wales father to the principal in a letter he posted on Twitter.

“When Ruby left for school yesterday it was 2017 but when she returned home in the afternoon she was from 1968.

“I know this to be the case as Ruby informed me that the ‘girls’ in Year 6 would be attending the school library to get their hair and make-up done on Monday afternoon while the ‘boys’ are going to Bunnings.

I wrote a letter pic.twitter.com/oFJp7egVnf — Grumplestiltskin (@2FBS) December 6, 2017

“Are you able to search the school buildings for a rip in the space-time continuum? Perhaps there is a faulty Flux Capacitor hidden away in the girls’ toilet block?

“I look forward to this being rectified and my daughter and other girls at the school being returned to this millennium where school activities are not divided sharply along gender lines.”

The father of three daughters told news.com.au his humorous letter made a serious point. “I don’t want to make a huge fuss ... this is mainly to point out everyday sexism,” he said, adding that we’ve “still got a long way to go in this area”.

He said Ruby “was affronted that she wasn’t given the choice” and “very indignant that only the boys had the Bunnings option” — but still wanted to get her hair done.

“Yes the boys should be given the hairstyle choice too but girls and women still bear the brunt of thoughtless sexism,” added the 12-year-old’s dad, who planned to speak to the principal this morning.

Dubbo West Public School’s newsletter read: “Our Year 6 Boy’s and Girl’s [sic] day will again take place on the Monday 11th December as our girls are treated to fabulous hair and light make-up.

“The boys will not be left out, going to Bunnings, activities and a BBQ lunch.”

It said it would be offering “up-styles on the girls who wish to have their hair done for the occasion” while a male teacher “will be taking the Year 6 boys to Bunnings for a workshop and then they will be cooking themselves a BBQ lunch.”

The letter struck a chord with many readers after Ruby’s father posted it on social media, with users calling it “ace” and “10/10 parenting”.

One woman said: “I’d much prefer Bunnings! I had to fight to do maths enrichment instead of grooming and deportment classes when I was at school. I was the only girl in that class.”

Another said her school had sent the boys to a day playing basketball with the Sydney Kings the girls had to stay at school and do etiquette and deportment. “No choice given.”

A Department of Education spokesperson told news.com.au: “A long tradition at Dubbo West Public School has been activities including preparing hair and light make-up with professionals on the day of the Year 6 graduation.

“Several years ago, the visit to Bunnings replaced the previous boys’ activity.

“The school is happy to accommodate any student who prefers the alternative activity.

“No parents or students have approached the school with concerns about the choice of activities.”