The Conservatorium High School, a specialist public school in Sydney, has denied reports it removed former Australian of the Year Grace Tame from its consent education program. The school’s response came after media coverage linked her participation in the program to a controversial chant she led at a pro-Palestine rally.
Context of the Controversy
Ms. Tame had previously been involved in the Consent & Healthy Relationships classes for Years 9 and 10 students. Last week, she led a chant at a rally on the steps of Town Hall, stating “From Gadigal to Gaza, globalise the Intifada.” Gadigal is the Aboriginal name for Sydney, and “intifada” refers to Palestinian uprisings against Israel. The chant has been described as a call to violence.
A spokesperson for the NSW Department of Education stated that Ms. Tame is not associated with the school as an alumnus or speaker. The department too confirmed that the list of speakers for the 2026 program has not yet been determined.
Public Reaction and Next Steps
The situation has sparked public debate, with petitions launched calling for Ms. Tame to be stripped of her 2021 Australian of the Year title. One petition has garnered over 27,000 signatures. Ms. Tame responded to the criticism on Instagram, stating, “This is not the first time I’ve been made a villain for speaking out,” and, “I refuse to be silent.”
The NSW government is currently considering whether to ban the “globalise the Intifada” chant as hate speech, following a similar move in Queensland. The school’s consent program is scheduled to run in the middle of the year, leaving time to finalize speaker arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the protests involving Grace Tame?
The protests were organized to oppose the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog following the Bondi Beach terror attack.
What was the NSW Department of Education’s response to reports about Grace Tame?
The department stated that Grace Tame is not associated with the school as an alumnus or speaker and that the list of speakers for the 2026 program has not been determined.
What did Grace Tame say in response to the criticism she received?
Ms. Tame responded on Instagram, stating, “This is not the first time I’ve been made a villain for speaking out,” and, “I refuse to be silent.”
As the debate continues, will the focus shift from Ms. Tame’s political expression to the core message of consent education itself?
