The AgeIndependentProgressive4 hr. agoOn August 4, 2026, the head of PLC Sydney, a high-fee girls' school in Australia, expressed 'shock and hurt' over a vote by the Presbyterian Church’s NSW general assembly to restrict women from becoming elders, a type of leadership role within the church. The vote, which took place at the school’s campus, received a two-thirds majority to exclude women from these positions. This decision sparked outrage among ex-students, many of whom contacted the school to express their concerns. Former students like Ruth Mueller and Dr Rosie Shorter criticized the decision as discriminatory and harmful, arguing it perpetuates gender inequality. In response, the school principal, Paul Burgis, highlighted the school’s history of producing successful female leaders in various fields, such as science, law, and politics. However, this response was met with further disappointment from some alumni, who felt the reply lacked empathy and failed to address the broader implications for current students.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the exclusion of women from leadership roles within the church as a discriminatory act that perpetuates gender inequality. It emphasizes the emotional distress of ex-students and criticizes the lack of empathy in the school’s response. While the article does not overtly criticize,
‘Shock and hurt’: The religious meeting that left Sydney private school old girls fumingOn August 4, 2026, the head of PLC Sydney, a high-fee girls' school in Australia, expressed 'shock and hurt' over a vote by the Presbyterian Church’s NSW general assembly to restrict women from becoming elders, a type of leadership role within the church. The vote, which took place at the school’s campus, received a two-thirds majority to exclude women from these positions. This decision sparked outrage among ex-students, many of whom contacted the school to express their concerns. Former students like Ruth Mueller and Dr Rosie Shorter criticized the decision as discriminatory and harmful, arguing it perpetuates gender inequality. In response, the school principal, Paul Burgis, highlighted the school’s history of producing successful female leaders in various fields, such as science, law, and politics. However, this response was met with further disappointment from some alumni, who felt the school failed to show adequate empathy toward their concerns.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the exclusion of women from leadership roles within the church as a discriminatory act that perpetuates gender inequality. It emphasizes the emotional distress of ex-students and criticizes the lack of empathy in the school’s response. While the article does not overtly criticize,
Australia
