An exclusive girls school that reportedly banned its students from using the terms ‘girls’, ‘ladies’ and ‘women’ has now publicly denied the claims.
An article published in The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday claimed that Cheltenham Girls High School had made the decision following a staff meeting last term, citing potential discrimination issues that may arise from the use of the words.
However, in a post on its Facebook page yesterday, the school said it would not change any existing references to gender.
“Cheltenham Girls’ High School has a proud, ongoing tradition of providing high quality education for girls. The school has not, and will not, change the way students’ gender is referred to,” read the statement.
“The school supports all of its students in a positive and inclusive environment, in which each girl is treated with respect and dignity.”
In a statement yesterday, the NSW Education Department said that gender-specific terms would continue to be used, contrary to recent media reports.
In a statement provided to The Educator yesterday, a spokesman for the NSW Education Department said “gender-specific terms would continue to be used by the school when referring to students”.
Cheltenham Girls’ High School was contacted for comment.