A Western Australian primary school has found itself at the centre of a social media storm after sending parents an email suggesting girls bring board games to keep themselves occupied while Year 4 boys took part in a football clinic. Eaton Primary School , located in Bunbury, sent the message to parents earlier this week, and the backlash was swift and widespread.
The Email That Started It All
The communication informed parents that Year 4 boys were "lucky enough to have a football clinic visiting," scheduled to take place on Tuesday between recess and lunch. What drew immediate criticism was the suggestion that followed: girls were encouraged to bring "fun board games" so they could "have some fun also" during the same period.
The message spread rapidly across social media after being reshared, with many users describing the wording as tone-deaf — particularly given the significant and well-documented rise in the number of girls participating in Australian Rules football at all levels of the game.
Minister Steps In, School Promises Girls' Clinic
The controversy quickly caught the attention of Education Minister Sabine Winton , who did not hold back in her response. Speaking on Wednesday, the minister made clear that equal opportunity in schools is non-negotiable.
"It is my expectation that WA public schools provide the same opportunities to both girls and boys — whether that is in the classroom or on the sporting field," she said, adding that she "strongly encouraged" Eaton Primary School to arrange a similar clinic for its female students.
An Education Department spokesperson moved to reassure the public that girls had not been overlooked entirely, noting that the school provides students with a range of opportunities throughout the year to build confidence and engagement. A girls' sports clinic has been planned for the second half of 2026 , the spokesperson confirmed. This kind of commitment to equitable programming is consistent with broader conversations happening across Australian schools about how to keep students meaningfully engaged in education.
The Clontarf Foundation Connection
Following the uproar, Eaton Primary School took to Facebook to provide important context that had been missing from the original communication. The school clarified that Tuesday's football clinic had been delivered by the Clontarf Foundation — an organisation that specifically uses sport as a vehicle to improve education outcomes, life skills, and employment prospects for Indigenous boys .
The clinic had taken place as part of the school's NAIDOC Week celebrations , involving Year 4 and Year 5 boys. The school described the session as a success, saying students had "a fantastic time developing their football skills, building teamwork and enjoying an active morning."
The clarification shed a different light on the event itself — the clinic's focus on Indigenous boys is central to the Clontarf Foundation's purpose, meaning the activity was not simply a gender-based exclusion but part of a targeted cultural and educational program. However, many observers felt the original email had failed to communicate this context, leaving it open to misinterpretation.
What Happens Next
While the school's Facebook explanation helped clarify the intent behind the boys-only clinic, the episode has reignited broader discussion about how schools communicate with parents and how they ensure all students — regardless of gender — feel equally valued. With a girls' sports clinic now confirmed for later this year, the focus shifts to whether Eaton Primary can turn an uncomfortable moment into a genuine commitment to inclusion. Parents and the wider community will no doubt be watching closely. For families looking to keep kids active and engaged both in and out of school, finding the right mix of activities remains an ongoing priority.
