CONTRACT OF ENROLMENT BETWEEN STUDENT AND SCHOOL / by Nathan Stoneham

Before reading on, please note that this post alludes to unsafe school environments, and refers to sexual assault within schools - not explicitly.

STUDENT’S DECLARATION:

I am looking for a school that respects my family or families without fear or judgement. I am looking for a school that sees my family as a building block of society, regardless of what my family looks like, including, but not limited to, if I have two Mums, two Dads, parents that are not Mums or Dads, multiple parents, single carers, a village of carers, a chosen family, or a changing family.

I am looking for a school that accepts the diversity of ways that people can be in relationships, with and to each other. I am looking for a school that doesn’t assume that marriage or abstinence are the only options for me. Or that all loving relationships are “between a man and a woman”. I am looking for a school that encourages me to negotiate relationships in ways that allow the people involved to be safe, expressive, respected, and treated with kindness. I expect dignity, regardless of what my relationships look like. Even when they’re short. Even when there’s multiple. Even if they’re not based in love, or not focused on creating new life. I deserve dignity regardless.

I am looking for a school that accepts the reality that not all loving relationships are for life. Some are. Some change. Some end. I am looking for a school that thinks it’s more important for me to be supported, safe, and loved, than to maintain a relationship for life.

I am looking for a school that isn’t obsessed with biological sex. I am looking for a school that accepts my gender identity, and does not police it. I am looking for a school that allows me to change how I express myself over time. I am looking for a school that doesn’t feel entitled to make assumptions about my body, and use those assumptions to control what I wear, what I’m called, what sports teams I’m on, what bathrooms I use, or what I am capable of.

I am looking for a school that minds its own business.

I am looking for a sex positive school. I am looking to learn, not just about my own body, but other people’s bodies, and how we are all different. I am looking for a school that doesn’t shame me for my sexual desires or activity. I want to learn about sex, consent, the different ways people are intimate, boundaries, pleasure, how to question depictions of sex in media and online, sexual health, how to say no, and how to take care of others. I am looking for a school that sees my understanding of these things as empowering, not corrupting, or sinful.

I am looking for a school that does not see me as destructive to human relationships and society.

I am looking for a school that understands that some things are not my choice.

I am looking for a school that respects that some things should be my choice.

I am looking for a school that observes the United Nation’s Rights of the Child. When thinking about what might be in my best interest (Article 3), I’m looking for a school that considers the effects of its actions – and considers my right to development, life, and survival (article 6).

I am looking for a school that I can go to, and live. A school I can survive at.

I’m looking for a school that celebrates my right to expression (Article 13) and my freedom of thought, conscience, and religion (Article 14). I am looking for a school that recognises my right to education, with a view to achieving this right progressively and on the basis of equal opportunity.

I am looking for a school that does not list homosexuality and bisexuality alongside paedophilia, incest, and beastiality.

I am looking for a school that is contributing to the elimination of ignorance (Article 28).

I am looking for a school that is not exempt from the antidiscrimination act.

I am looking for a school where I will not be preyed upon.

Signed, in acceptance of the Students’ declaration:

THE STUDENT:

THE SCHOOL: