Open letter to St. Stithians and Sally James

I'm pleased to announce a positive step from Saints. I challenged them on their gender FAQs that listed links to resources that were overwhelmingly and unquestioningly positive about the likes of "sex reassignment" surgery. Initially they agreed to add a disclaimer saying that they don't endorse the material, and merely share it for additional reading. I suggested this is not acceptable. Either they endorse material they share or they ought not to share it. Today the OSA has informed me that they will be removing the relevant document entirely. You'll find an explanation on my Ad Absurdum Substack: Questions and answers on school capture.

The WOKE nonsense especially the sexualising of scholars by this school and all other schools in SA that are secretly brainwashing scholars MUST be stopped immediately.

Gilardi admits in her response that the school uses SEL - social emotional learning? Have parents been properly informed about this? Did the school explain it? I'm busy writing a piece for Daily Friend, so input would be valuable.

That is: Questions and answers on school capture Add search terms Substack and ad absurdum

I have received an email that purports to answer the questions. This site doesn't allow links, it seems. But you'll find it all on my Substack, Ad Absurdum, in a post called: Questions and "answers" on school capture

This deviation from the principles upon which this Christian School was founded is a disgrace.

The petition makes no attempt to "be Christian". Only to acknowledge that parents and pupils have the freedom of religion.

Can you point to any bigotry or hateful sentiments? Any threats?

I honestly can’t believe the bigotry and hateful sentiments not only in these comments but the fact that this petition even exists. It is shameful, that you all feel entitled to attack not just the school but this poor child who has every right to be accepted and educated in a safe environment. How is this Christian? Hate and threats, shame, shame on you all. Well done to Saints for being accepting, for being kind and understanding, for not being judgmental and showing true Christian values.

Agree.

I have received a response from the rector, Celeste Gilardi. I am mostly unsatisfied with the answers and have asked for clarification. I will share the information once I'm satisfied I have done what I can to get clarity.

I've received an email from St Stithians rector Celeste Gilardi. She has requested some clarity on my questions. I have attempted to provide this. I have asked for a commitment to answer the questions.

Correction. The open letter by Bishops parents calls for the removal of the headmaster, Tony Reeler, not the chair. It is a fascinating read. I can't see him keeping his job much longer.

Thomas Sowell captured my case far more eloquently. He reckons three simple questions will crush the attempts at reason behind the sort of mania we are seeing in school capture: 1. Compared to what? 2. At what cost? 3. What hard evidence do you have? That is a powerful list to use when engaging with woke schools.

This site doesn't seem to allow links to be posted. Please read my latest piece. Search for Why I kicked a hornets’ nest of wokery. The piece is on both Daily Friend and BizNews. We are up to 410 signatories. And growing. I won't stop pressing. They need to answer these questions.

I'm a past parent who chose to speak up more than I would have liked to, intimidation tactics left me feeling feeling battered and bruised, by the time we finished matric, it left a bad taste but, this article tells me that I was right to speak up. I hope that present parents will not allow themselves to be intimidated into silence. Speak up, this is our school, this is your school. A good school which must not be highjacked while we stand by in silence.

I Can’t believe the school has lost itself. I look back in my days at the school and the best memories and the ideas I hold onto to in life are the traditions, the freedom to be a man and not have to worry about who am I or what genitalia do I want, but to just focus on being a child and living.

As a parent of an old Saints BOY, I totally reject this willy nilly implementation of this policy.

Time to abandon identity politics and recommit to the centre

As a student at St Stithians, I deserve to have the answers as to why my school is adopting some ideology to dictate its policy making that is destroying the school I love so much…