The principal of a Warrnambool secondary school says asking male students to stand "as a symbolic gesture of apology for the behaviours of their gender" at assembly was inappropriate.
Brauer College principal Jane Boyle apologised after conceding a discussion about sexual assault and harassment at a school assembly took an inappropriate turn.
Ms Boyle said in a statement that during a discussion about sexual assault, harassment, and respect for women and girls, boys were asked to stand "as a symbolic gesture of apology for the behaviours of their gender that have hurt or offended girls and women".
"In retrospect, while well-intended, we recognise that part of the assembly was inappropriate", she said.
The issue came to light after parents, unhappy with the way the assembly played out, aired their views on social media and contacted the school.
Some parents said their children had found the assembly confronting, while others backed the school's attempt to address the topics of sexual harassment and assault with students.
