Canberra school principal resigns over LGBTQ+ event dispute

Janelle Rowe, the principal of Bonython Primary School in Canberra, has resigned after a dispute regarding the observance of ‘Wear It Purple Day’. Rowe, a veteran educator with 34 years of service in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) public education system, had requested to replace the LGBTQIA+ awareness event with ‘Bullying No Way Week’, a national anti-bullying campaign.

Rowe stated that she did not believe the event was a ‘harmless dress-up day’, arguing that it requires teachers to discuss sexual and gender identities with young children. She maintained that such topics should remain the responsibility of parents and families rather than schools.

Following her decision, the ACT Education Directorate summoned Rowe to address internal complaints and placed her under direct supervision. Rowe resigned after being asked to participate in the event despite her stated convictions. Prior to this incident, official government documents described her as an ‘excellent’ and ‘highly competent’ leader.