Major update after Illawong Public School sex education class sparked fury from parents

A primary school principal has been stood aside after Year six students received a graphic sex education class without their parents’ consent.

Year six students at Illawong Public School in Sydney’s south allegedly told their parents they were asked to write down questions, which were read out and answered by a staff member in front of the class on November 7.

The Daily Telegraph reported some of the questions related to a pornographic website and graphic sexual content.

When parents complained to the staff member involved they were told they had given their consent through another independently run program at the school.

The staff member allegedly told parents it was their intention to have a discussion in a safe space to end inappropriate discussions taking place in the playground.

One parent told the newspaper they ‘did not give consent for this discussion and it was simply inappropriate.’

‘Parents are really angry and also angry at the responses from the school,’ the parent said.

‘These topics are not in the school syllabus.’

A NSW Education Department spokesperson said the principal has been directed to undertake other duties in the department outside of the school while an investigation took place following complaints from parents.

A spokesperson said they expected their staff to deliver age-appropriate education aligned to the syllabus and in this case it did not happen.

‘We take the health, safety and wellbeing of our students very seriously,’ a spokesperson said.

‘We apologise to the school community for the distress to their children.’

Miranda MP Eleni Petinos told 2GB on Monday that parents felt like they been left in the dark about what happened and after finding out about the incident through the media.

Ms Petinos said parents wanted to know what specific topics were covered in the discussion and what follow up actions were taken to ensure the emotional wellbeing of the students involved.

‘I was getting detailed emails from parents telling me how troubled and distressed they were to realise some of their very shy children, who have no access to social media, were exposed to these types of discussions,’ she said.

]Education minister Prue Car said a [staff member] had been stood aside as the Department of Education’s professional ethical standards unit investigated the incident

‘When pressed at home they were unable to communicate with their parents about any of these topics.’

The MP said the school needed to be transparent with the community about what transpired, and if they were unwilling to do that, then the minister needed to ensure the department gave that direction.

Miranda MP Eleni Petinos told 2GB parents felt they had been left in the dark about what happened and wanted to know what was said to their children

‘The most concerning thing was while the department reported counselling was available to students at the school, parents said it was only offered to a select number of students,’ Ms Petinos said.

‘I am still receiving emails from parents telling me that they are not getting any information about their children’s wellbeing and what has happened at that school,’ she said.

Education Minister Prue Car said what happened at the school was not on.

‘The [staff member] has been stood aside, the activities are subject to an investigation by the Department of Education’s professional ethical standards unit,’ Ms Car said.

‘That is very serious and I will let that investigation take place.’