We’re a diverse community: Ivanhoe. Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School principal Heather Schnagl responds to the same-sex storm in a letter to parents…

Dear School Community Member

I am writing to you regarding the recent complaint made by a student against the school, the consequent adverse media coverage, and how we as a school community will continue to address the issues raised.

The initial issue is related to the fact that we said a Year 11 student was not permitted to bring an Ivanhoe Girls’ Year 10 student as her guest to a Year 11 social event. The second issue is related to our tradition as a single sex school of holding events to provide a gender-balanced social experience.

I and the school leaders acknowledge the hurt and distress this matter has caused within our community, which is greatly regretted.

Ivanhoe Girls’ is a diverse and supportive community that has not discriminated against any individuals or groups based on their sexuality. We support all members of our community in their decisions and life choices.

Same sex partners have attended the School Formal, which takes place in Year 12, for many years.

We believe it is timely to consult with you about social events which might be organised by the school for our senior students in the future. As part of the review process we are inviting students, parents, alumni and the wider school community to contribute.

We will be holding a forum for the school community on Tuesday 30 November in the Performing Arts Centre from 7.30pm to 9.00pm. We would value your input. If you are unable to attend the meeting in person, we would welcome your thoughts on the email address below.

This will be a thorough consultation and will continue in 2011. The aim is to reach decisions that can be applied in the future.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

Heather Schnagl
Principal

The Green-tinged independent… In the Victorian state election seat of Northcote, a lot of talk has been about the so-called ‘independent’ candidate Dominic Marino. I also note that there is another allegedly ‘independent’ candidate in Northcote, Darren Lewin-Hill. A local green tinged activist, he had the gall to (probably accurately) accuse Marino of shoring up the ALP vote. But a cursory look at Lewin-Hill’s blog and policies indicate that his preference flow favours the Greens. Scrutiny on Marino is more than warranted — why does Lewin-Hill get away with no scrutiny?

Upgrade for Melbourne Airport. Is Melbourne Airport about to kick start the delayed half-billion dollar expansion that was stopped in the middle of the GFC two years ago? The expansion, which will add a massive new terminal south of the Virgin Blue terminal to accommodate Jetstar and Tiger, is urgently needed as the existing Qantas/Jetstar terminal is close to capacity.

On hold with the ATO. I have recently phoned the ATO debt line trying to speak to someone about paying a tax debt. On each occasion I never get to speak to anyone … just waiting, on hold, music, advancing in the queue with huge wait times. Yesterday, on three separate attempts the robotic voice told me: “You’re in the queue. Wait time is currently one hour and 30 minutes.” Have we really reached the point where waiting over an hour on a phone is a reality? Maybe Hoges just got sick of waiting?

Hey Kristina, your bus swallowed my ticket. Last night I boarded a bus owned and operated by the NSW government in inner-western Sydney — commuting from Ashfield railway station to my home about 3km away. I ‘dipped’ my $41 ‘MyMulti’ ticket (covers all modes of transport in my zone for a week) and it was swallowed by the machine on the bus. The driver didn’t know what to do, so he radioed the depot, and waited nearly 10 minutes for a reply from ‘management’, who also didn’t know what to do. They suggested he take my details and they will bring the ticket to me once they retrieve it from the machine.

Another passenger said this was the second time she saw this happen this week! I am now without my weekly ticket, and $41 out of pocket (the ticket was valid till next Monday). Next time, I’m not going to dip my weekly ticket — it’s not illegal, you only need to have a valid ticket on you when travelling. Why risk losing money to state government incompetence? Just as well I’m not an invalid or pensioner or unemployed … and I’d hate to see what would happen if there was a life or death matter on a bus with the driver waiting 10 minutes to get a reply to his radio message. I’ll remember this in March 2011, as I hope everyone on the bus will too.