By Jessica Anstice
Haileybury College has introduced a new policy which allows students facing gender identity challenges to participate in single-sex programs regardless of their sex at birth.
The Berwick school has implemented a new set of guidelines relating to supporting the gender identity of students and staff members, including those of transgender and intersex status.
“At Haileybury, we are doing our best to ensure that we cater for all our students. Student welfare is paramount,” a Haileybury College spokesperson said.
“We support and respect a person’s right to express their gender identity whether or not this aligns with their designated sex at birth and we endeavour to protect a person’s privacy and confidentiality in relation to gender identity and intersex status.
“We create an individual diversity support plan for any student who needs it and both the student and their support network will be invited to help formulate the plan to identify the ways in which the school may be able to provide assistance.”
Haileybury also offers adjustment support to any member of its community if needed.
“Haileybury does not tolerate discrimination or unfair treatment of any of our students or staff under any circumstances,” the spokesperson said.
The new policy and guidelines are in line with both the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic), the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Commonwealth), Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act (2006) and Australian Government Guidelines on the Recognition of Sex and Gender.
