source : the age
An anti-abortion activist’s surprise lecture to year 11 pupils at Melbourne’s Scotch College left students and staff shocked.
Dr Emma Wood spoke to year 11 boys on Tuesday as part of the Christian education curriculum, the college confirmed.
Wood runs the anti-abortion “Pro-Love Logic” organisation and gives presentations for students to understand the relationship between “widespread abortion and the individualistic sexual culture the West has embraced”.
Among the topics she discusses in her presentations aimed at high school students include the definition of abortion as “an act of harm inflicted on an unborn human being that both intends and accomplishes that unborn human’s death”.
She also uses examples including “testimony about babies born alive after abortion”.
In another presentation, Wood highlights claims of lack of commitment in sexual relationships as “a driver of abortions” and a comparison between “babies aborted in wedlock vs out of wedlock”.
A source not authorised to speak publicly but with knowledge of the presentation said Wood’s presentation made staff and students feel uncomfortable.
“Everyone was taken aback … it wasn’t a discussion,” they said.
The source said principal Scott Marsh later apologised to staff about the handling of the presentation, and that no notice had been provided ahead of time. However, he did not apologise for the content, according to the source.
“It wasn’t carefully thought out … A lot of the kids were pretty annoyed,” the source said.
On Wednesday, Marsh sent out a letter to the families of the students to explain the decision to have Wood speak at the college and acknowledged families should have received more information in advance.
He said parents had contacted the college since the presentation and said concerns had been raised in a respectful and constructive way.
“We recognise that this topic evokes strong and deeply personal views and has likely affected members of our community.
“It is clear from the feedback we received that we should have provided more information ahead of the presentation.”
Students would hear from a different perspective on the issue in the coming weeks, Marsh wrote.
“Over the coming days, students will have further opportunities in Christian Education classes to reflect on the session, ask questions and share their thoughts.”
However, he defended the school’s decision to invite Wood to speak.
“At Scotch, we believe the boys should engage with complex and challenging issues during their school years. As they move into university and beyond, they will encounter a diversity of ideas and perspectives,” the letter, seen by The Age, reads.
“Too often today, there seems to be little space or tolerance for respectful debate, with contentious topics often being shut down.”
Marsh wrote that as an educational institution, it takes its role seriously to develop graduates who think critically, consider different viewpoints and ask thoughtful questions.
“Dr Wood spoke with students about ethical questions relating to abortion, presenting her own philosophical perspective on the issue and responding to questions from students during the session.”
The letter goes on to explain she was recommended as a speaker by other schools, but does not go into detail about which schools.
“I would like to acknowledge our year 11 students, who conducted themselves with maturity and respect throughout the session. They engaged thoughtfully, asked challenging questions and expressed their views appropriately. The discussion remained respectful throughout.”
However, a source at the school said the school knew exactly who they were inviting, and only sent the letter due to backlash.
A Scotch spokesperson said the private school’s Christian education curriculum “includes the study of ethics and contemporary issues”.
“Students are encouraged to consider and critically engage with the issues and perspectives presented as part of their learning.
“The college remains committed to providing an environment in which complex issues can be explored and discussed respectfully.”
The Scotch spokesperson would not answer questions as to whether the school supported Wood’s message, whether parents had been notified in advance or if the school was concerned about comments made during the address.
Wood, who has a PhD in philosophy from Victoria University of Wellington and according to her website “specialises in bioethics and political philosophy”, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
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Caroline Schelle is an education reporter, and joined The Age in 2022. She previously covered courts at AAP.Connect via X or email.
