'Family stall' replaces 'Mother's Day stall' at NSW school to be more inclusive

  • 09/05/2024
Some mums of students at the private Hunter Valley Grammar are outraged, with one slamming it as "woke ideology".
Some mums of students at the private Hunter Valley Grammar are outraged, with one slamming it as "woke ideology". Photo credit: Getty Images.

A private school in New South Wales has moved to change its yearly "Mother's Day Stall" into a "Family Gift Stall" to be more inclusive - but some mums aren't keen on the idea. 

Hunter Valley Grammar School sent an email to parents this week outlining why they altered it. 

"The purpose of the stall is to celebrate loved ones," the promotional email began. 

To be held on Friday, the notice said junior students will have "the special job of choosing a gift for their loved one in mind." 

Gifts will cost $12. 

Several mums weren't keen on the change, reported The Daily Telegraph, with many saying they felt it was insulting. 

"Please don't take this away from us," one mum wrote to Hunter Valley Grammar. 

"By changing the name, it feels like you are sending the message to students that mums are no more important than anyone else in their lives they think are special," she added. 

The change to be more inclusive was made "based on feedback from families in the school community, that it was upsetting some of the children from non-traditional families who have two dads or may not have a mum present in their lives", according to the mum. 

Another mum said it was "woke ideology". 

"I am deeply concerned about gender ideology infiltrating our schools," she told The Daily Telegraph. 

Rebecca Butterworth, the school's principal, told the newspaper they didn't want to "diminish the significance" of Mother's Day. 

"Our intention in renaming the stall was to ensure that the children in our school who don't have a mother in their home feel welcome and supported," Butterworth said. 

Hunter Valley Grammar didn't wish to disregard the "important role" mothers have, she added. 

"We deeply value and respect all mothers and recognise their dedication to their families and our school community each and every day."