MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • Podcasts
  • Beyond Beauty
  • Video
MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • Podcasts
  • Beyond Beauty
  • Video
MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

Misogyny Is Officially A Hate Crime

Misogyny Is Officially A Hate Crime

Do You Believe In Magic?

Do You Believe In Magic?

Did the Sisterhood Die With Julia Gillard's Prime Ministership?

Did the Sisterhood Die With Julia Gillard's Prime Ministership?

Bullied & Burnt Out: Why We’re Failing Our Female Doctors

Bullied & Burnt Out: Why We’re Failing Our Female Doctors

{headline}

{headline}

Jodie Comer On Stardom, Scouser Pride And Sexist Double Standards

Jodie Comer On Stardom, Scouser Pride And Sexist Double Standards

We Give Retro Ads A Much-Needed Modern Makeover

We Give Retro Ads A Much-Needed Modern Makeover

Still Serving Guests While Your Male Relatives Relax? Everyday Sexism Like This Hurts Women's Mental Health

Still Serving Guests While Your Male Relatives Relax? Everyday Sexism Like This Hurts Women's Mental Health

{headline}

{headline}

The Dictionary Definition Of “Woman” Needs To Change

The Dictionary Definition Of “Woman” Needs To Change

A Medical Student's List Of Sexist Comments She's Faced At Work Goes Viral

A Medical Student's List Of Sexist Comments She's Faced At Work Goes Viral

Survey Finds Nearly Half Of Men Believe The Gender Pay Gap Isn't Real

Survey Finds Nearly Half Of Men Believe The Gender Pay Gap Isn't Real

A Woman Wearing A Crop Top Was Told To “Cover Up” On A Flight

A Woman Wearing A Crop Top Was Told To “Cover Up” On A Flight

This Is Why Kate Middleton Was Reportedly Forced To Change High Schools

This Is Why Kate Middleton Was Reportedly Forced To Change High Schools

A Look Into The Dark Side Of Video Games

A Look Into The Dark Side Of Video Games

Five-Year-Old Boy Mistakenly Sent Home From School Alone

Five-Year-Old Boy Mistakenly Sent Home From School Alone

  1. Home
  2. News

NSW School Controversy: Boys Go To Bunnings, Girls Get Makeovers

A dad's letter has gone viral after he called out his daughter's school - by marie claire
  • 11 Dec 2017
 NSW School Controversy: Boys Go To Bunnings, Girls Get Makeovers

A letter written by a NSW dad has gone viral after he called out his daughter’s school for separating the boys and girls into apparent gendered activities.

Stephen Callaghan, 51, from Wongarbon in NSW tweeted a letter he wrote to his young daughter’s school, Dubbo West Public, where he blasted them for sending the boys in her class to Bunnings, while the girls were given a ‘makeover’.

“When Ruby left for school yesterday it was 2017 but when she returned home in the afternoon she was from 1968,” the dad wrote in the letter that’s been shared thousands of times.

‘I know this to be the case as Ruby informed me that the “girls” in Year 6 would be attending the school library to get their hair and make-up done on Monday afternoon while the “boys” are going to Bunnings.

Grumplestiltskin on Twitter

Ruby’s school responded to the letter, with the department of education telling news.com.au that the school had a long tradition of students being treated to light hair and makeup on the day of the children’s graduation, but that some years ago the boys’ activity was replaced with a trip to Bunnings.

“Several years ago, the visit to Bunnings replaced the previous boys’ activity. The school is happy to accommodate any student who prefers the alternative activity. 

“No parents or students have approached the school with concerns about the choice of activities,” the school said in their statement.

Reactions to the letter have overwhelmingly supported Stephen’s stance.

“I’d much prefer Bunnings!” wrote another of Steve’s Twitter followers. “I had to fight to do maths enrichment instead of grooming and deportment classes when I was at school. I was the only girl in that class.”

And another added their own experience of calling out gender discrimination in aviation.

“This reminds me of Women In Aviation Week a few years ago, where an event invitation ended with “Ladies: Bring a plate,’” added another user. “I wrote back and suggested that maybe they mistyped “plane,” and should issue a correction.”

Today, new data today showed that many girls and young women feel their gender gets in the way of them having a successful career.

The MyRoad Careers Survey asked 1000 young Australian girls and women whether they thought boys had more career opportunities than girls. One out of every three girls in years 10 to 12 agreed that they thought this to be true.

Almost half believed their gender could stand in the way of their career.

The would-be female tradies at Dubbo West Public School would probably agree they have a point.

  • News
  • Career

Subscribe & receive a gift from Go-To Skincare-

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
Subscribe & receive a gift from Go-To Skincare

Subscribe & receive a gift from Go-To Skincare-

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
Subscribe & receive a gift from Go-To Skincare

Recommended to you

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

Misogyny Is Officially A Hate Crime

Misogyny Is Officially A Hate Crime

Do You Believe In Magic?

Do You Believe In Magic?

Did the Sisterhood Die With Julia Gillard's Prime Ministership?

Did the Sisterhood Die With Julia Gillard's Prime Ministership?

Bullied & Burnt Out: Why We’re Failing Our Female Doctors

Bullied & Burnt Out: Why We’re Failing Our Female Doctors

{headline}

{headline}

Jodie Comer On Stardom, Scouser Pride And Sexist Double Standards

Jodie Comer On Stardom, Scouser Pride And Sexist Double Standards

We Give Retro Ads A Much-Needed Modern Makeover

We Give Retro Ads A Much-Needed Modern Makeover

Still Serving Guests While Your Male Relatives Relax? Everyday Sexism Like This Hurts Women's Mental Health

Still Serving Guests While Your Male Relatives Relax? Everyday Sexism Like This Hurts Women's Mental Health

{headline}

{headline}

The Dictionary Definition Of “Woman” Needs To Change

The Dictionary Definition Of “Woman” Needs To Change

A Medical Student's List Of Sexist Comments She's Faced At Work Goes Viral

A Medical Student's List Of Sexist Comments She's Faced At Work Goes Viral

Survey Finds Nearly Half Of Men Believe The Gender Pay Gap Isn't Real

Survey Finds Nearly Half Of Men Believe The Gender Pay Gap Isn't Real

A Woman Wearing A Crop Top Was Told To “Cover Up” On A Flight

A Woman Wearing A Crop Top Was Told To “Cover Up” On A Flight

This Is Why Kate Middleton Was Reportedly Forced To Change High Schools

This Is Why Kate Middleton Was Reportedly Forced To Change High Schools

A Look Into The Dark Side Of Video Games

A Look Into The Dark Side Of Video Games

Five-Year-Old Boy Mistakenly Sent Home From School Alone

Five-Year-Old Boy Mistakenly Sent Home From School Alone

MarieClaire
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • Practical Parenting
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Marie Claire

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe & receive a gift from Go-To Skincare-

Shop This Offer
Subscribe & receive a gift from Go-To Skincare