School’s Step On The Journey To Inclusivity

An assessment piece from a local Bowen State High School student has highlighted the power of the written word, leading her school to open an LGBTIQA+ section of its library.

The local high school met “another milestone in its journey to inclusion” with the unveiling of the small section in its resource centre, which is dedicated to representation.

Teacher Stephen Murray, Head of the English Department at Bowen State High School, said the genesis of the idea didn’t come from faculty, but instead from an essay written by a well-read student.

“They stated in the text they’d created that they saw no representations of their identity in the books that they read, despite being a voracious reader of fiction,” Mr Murray said.

“They found no queer characters, no characters that were gender fluid and that struck a chord with me. I thought: Bowen State High School is on an inclusive journey; we want everyone to feel included.

“It struck me that it’s just not right.”

Mr Murray took the issue to his fellow staff members, and together they vetted and gathered a collection of appropriate, high-school level texts (including award-winning and excellently written novels) which promote inclusivity or tell stories centred around queer or gender fluid characters.

The eight books which form the basis of the section are now available to be signed out by students in an honour system where they may take the books home anonymously, without signing them out.

There were immediately five of the eight books borrowed in the first few days, coming back in drabs before being borrowed again in what the school said is an excellent success.

To officially unveil the section, a rainbow cake cutting was held in the resource centre, with leadership, teachers, and students enjoying the inclusive celebration.

“The student who wrote the essay which prompted this whole section is proud of what she wrote and the end result of what’s been accomplished,” Mr Murray said.

“We value every student, so it’s important for me as a teacher and for the team as a school to feel there’s a safe and supportive environment for them.”

The plan is to grow the section every year with student and staff recommendations taken into consideration.

Acting Principal of Bowen State High School, Steve Baskerville, said it was fantastic to see texts being a representation of the diversity of the students.

“That’s important for the students who identify in those diverse ways. But it’s also important for every other student as well as they make their way through the school and out into the world where they’ll engage with people from a range of different backgrounds,” he said.

Head of the English Department Stephen Murray and Acting Principal Steve Baskerville next to Bowen State High School’s new, and growing, LGBTIQA+ section of its library

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