Gender-neutral leadership policy produces three head boys, prompting complaints girls shut out

Summarised by Centrist

A New Zealand school that abolished traditional head boy and head girl positions in the name of gender diversity has appointed three boys to its top student leadership roles.

Some parents are unhappy.

Kāpiti College scrapped gender-defined leadership positions in 2022, choosing instead to appoint students on merit rather than through gender quotas.

Four years later, the system has produced three male heads of kura for 2027, all of whom were on the school's first XV rugby team.

One parent said that although the boys were deserving candidates, the appointments failed to reflect the wider student population.

"I just don't feel that is representing everybody," she said.

Another parent argued the decision sent a message to girls that "women are just not valued".

Principal David Lowe defended the appointments, saying the school had identified three exceptionally strong candidates through a thorough selection process.

Candidates were assessed through written applications, workshops, pastoral reviews and interviews, with leadership, teamwork, academic balance and community service among the criteria.

Lowe stressed that the boys had achievements beyond rugby, including mentoring, supporting school productions and charity fundraising.

He also noted that in 2024 the school appointed two female heads of kura, and that girls currently hold more positions across the wider senior student leadership team.

Nevertheless, the school has agreed to review its selection process ahead of 2028, including whether traditional gender-defined leadership positions should be reinstated.

Read more at RNZ

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