Conservatorium High School hits back amid reports it had pulled Grace Tame from consent program

A controversy has emerged surrounding former Australian of the Year Grace Tame and her potential involvement in a consent education program at Conservatorium High School in Sydney. The school, a specialist public school for gifted musicians, has addressed reports suggesting Tame was removed from the program following her participation in a pro-Palestine rally.

Background on the Controversy

Ms. Tame had previously been featured in the Consent & Healthy Relationships classes for Years 9 and 10 students. Last week, she led a chant at a rally protesting the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, stating “From Gadigal to Gaza, globalise the Intifada.” This chant, echoing through a demonstration of thousands, has drawn significant attention, and criticism.

Did You Know? The rally where Ms. Tame led the chant took place on February 9th and was organized in response to the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog following the Bondi Beach terror attack.

The phrase “globalise the Intifada” is understood by some as a call to violence, with “Intifada” referring to Palestinian uprisings against Israel and Gadigal being the Aboriginal name for Sydney. Following the rally, petitions calling for Ms. Tame to be stripped of her Australian of the Year title have garnered over 27,000 signatures.

The School’s Response

The NSW Department of Education responded to media reports claiming Ms. Tame’s removal from the program, stating that she is not associated with the school as an alumnus or speaker. A spokesman clarified that the list of speakers for the 2026 program has not yet been determined, and no names have been removed.

Program Details

The school’s consent program typically runs mid-year. In the past, Ms. Tame’s name has been used alongside other advocates in consent education, including Saxon Mullins and Chanel Contos, both prominent in sexual violence law reform.

Expert Insight: The situation highlights the complex intersection of public figures’ political activism and their roles in educational settings. Institutions often face difficult decisions when balancing freedom of expression with maintaining a neutral environment for students.

Ms. Tame responded to the criticism on Instagram, stating, “This is not the first time I’ve been made a villain for speaking out,” and affirming, “I refuse to be silent.” She has previously characterized her activism as a “pursuit of justice” and referred to Mr. Herzog as an alleged genocidist and war criminal.

Potential Future Developments

NSW is currently considering whether to follow Queensland in banning the chant led by Ms. Tame if We see deemed to constitute hate speech causing menace, harassment, or offense. Further debate and legal challenges could arise regarding the interpretation and legality of such speech. The school could also face continued scrutiny regarding its selection of speakers for future consent education programs. A possible next step for the Department of Education is to reaffirm its commitment to providing a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was Grace Tame removed from the consent education program?

The NSW Department of Education stated that reports of Ms. Tame’s removal are inaccurate, clarifying she is not currently associated with the school as an alumnus or speaker and that no names have been removed from the program’s speaker list for 2026.

What was the chant Ms. Tame led at the rally?

Ms. Tame led a chant stating “From Gadigal to Gaza, globalise the Intifada.”

What prompted the rally Ms. Tame attended?

The rally was organized to protest the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who was invited by Governor-General Sam Mostyn following the Bondi Beach terror attack.

How do institutions navigate the balance between allowing freedom of expression and maintaining neutrality when engaging public figures in educational programs?