While sexual harassment in schools is not new and has been extensively documented in research and media, teachers now report an alarming trend – a growing culture of not only sexual harassment but also language and behaviours that express male superiority and misogynistic views among boys.
In recent years, Australian teachers have reported that sexism, misogyny and sexual harassment are rife and that the influence of Andrew Tate and similar figures on boys’ behaviour and attitudes towards girls and women has been “profound”.
One school on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is tackling this issue at its source through ‘Leading Men at Flinders’ – an immersive year-long program for senior boys that is designed to address the concerns in society about ‘toxic masculinity’, violence, matters of consent and respectful relationships.
Helping young people step up as positive role models
Matthew Flinders Anglican College Principal Michelle Carroll said schools had an important role to connect students with high-performing role models who demonstrate what it looks like to be an “ethical leader”.
“At Flinders, we want to empower our boys and girls to learn how they can step up in their communities as positive role models,” Carroll told The Educator.
“Our Leading Men at Flinders program is one of the ways we are supporting our Senior boys to learn about positive masculinity and grow through fun, challenging and practical experiences with inspiring leaders.”
As part of the program, twelve 17-year-old boys from the College have spent two nights camping under the stars and three days engaged in mentoring with inspiring men and women on a 3,000-hectare agricultural property in Mt Russell on the Darling Downs.
During the leadership retreat from 25-27 April, the Year 12 students, guided by four staff at Flinders, were generously hosted by Ash and Kirsty Butler on their family-owned property, Yambeen, located west of Toowoomba.
The Yambeen Farming Company specialises in the production of a variety of high-quality grain and cotton on basalt soils formed through the volcanic erosion of the Toowoomba Range.
The Butlers were honoured to open their home and property to help support and mentor the students. They were joined by guest mentors Spencer Lavers, a squadron leader in the Royal Australian Air Force, and Tom Healy, the Improvement Process Manager at Pinata Farms, the largest pineapple producer in Australia, and son to cricketing great, Ian Healy.
Flinders staff who guided the boys on retreat included Dr Louise McCuaig, the Director of the Flinders Discovery Institute; Mr Duncan Greenbank, the Head of Senior School; Mrs Sanette Janse van Rensburg, the Head of RAVE (Religious and Values Education); and Mr David Cameron, Secondary Teacher.
Lessons from life on the land
Over the course of the weekend, the mentors gave a unique insight into how they live their lives and explore challenging careers while being mindful to support their own mental health and act ethically and respectfully through situations of uncertainty, risk, overwhelm, change and opportunity.
Ash and Kirsty Butler shared how they navigate their mental health and grow their character through the evolving challenges of managing a modern farming business, especially one that is dedicated to sustainable farming practices and determined to utilise the latest machinery and technologies.
Tom Healy explained how he has taken a winding path through professional sport, an AgriBusiness degree and tertiary life and work internships and jobs in agribusinesses and on farms, including Yambeen, to form a goal to become the CEO of a leading Australian agribusiness.
Lavers, a fighter pilot and fighter combat instructor in the Royal Australian Air Force, shared insights into the extraordinary leadership skills he has developed over his 1,500 hours flying jet aircraft, including on operations, and also from training new pilots to transition to their first front line fast jet.
Dr Louise McCuaig, Director of the Flinders Discovery Institute which facilitates the program, said, “Research tells us that young men’s decisions about life, learning and leadership are typically informed by a complex mixture of social myths and socioeconomic, academic and cultural factors, along with observing how other men navigate these dynamics.
“We want to connect our boys with authentic role models who can support them at this crucial time of their journey into adulthood when they are establishing their identity and exploring their place in the world,” Dr McCuaig said.
“Our mentors on retreat had incredible insights to share from their diverse life experiences, and were eager to challenge our boys to explore ethical questions and set goals for themselves to become positive role models.”
Dr McCuaig pointed out that it has been proven that a core group of strong young leaders who demonstrate integrity, fairness, empathy and respect for others can have a powerful positive impact on their peers and set a standard for how students should treat one another.
“That’s the culture we seek to develop at Flinders.”
Student reflections
Naish Roberts, the Year 12 Flinders College Captain, thanked Dr Louise McCuaig for the opportunity to participate in the retreat.
Naish reflected on some of the memorable moments:
“I’ll remember learning how to change a tyre as a group; sitting in a farm machine with so many buttons I wouldn't know where to start; sitting around the campfire under the stars, playing guitar and singing with mates; hearing the experiences of people who, like us, don't have it all planned out but are doing the best they can; and shooting down a balloon using a makeshift catapult with poles and a tyre tube, only to be congratulated by a circle of cheering friends. We couldn't have hoped for a more memorable camp experience; thank you.”
All the students on the retreat shared their insights gained during the retreat. Here are some of their reflections.
What take-home messages about life in general did you gain from the retreat?
- Take the opportunities presented to you and see them through.
- Don’t take food for granted - there is so much that goes into growing food from the earth and getting it to the shelf!
- Every person leads a different life.
- Working as a team will get you a lot further than working on your own.
- You’re as fast as your weakest link, so bring others along with you.
- You need to know when to stop and step back in a group.
- The importance of mitigating risk.
- There is so much automation in farming. It’s big business!
What insights did you gain about ethical leadership, respectful relationships and positive masculinity?
- ‘Followship’ is just as important as ‘Leadership’. You need to have both for leadership teams to work.
- Mental health is a real issue; it’s important to talk about it.
- Communication really is key.
- Positive masculinity can exist; you won’t find it in the stereotypical macho man but in a leader with integrity, humility and respect.
- One person should take the leadership role to ensure effective and efficient task management.
- The farmers we met are “men’s men” and are respectful and loving men to their families.
- Your mental health isn’t something to be ashamed about.
- That some people struggle in silence.
What brought you the most enjoyment on retreat?
- Being outside in the cotton fields and amongst the farm produce.
- Learning to change a tyre.
- Hanging outdoors with the boys, away from the stressors of school and life.
- Meeting new people and learning about farm life on Yambeen from the Butlers.
- Getting outdoors and exploring a new environment.
- Having a crack and getting involved to learn some life lessons.
- Noticing the small moments with friends, which are really the big moments.
- Watching the problem-solving challenge, which involved everyone trying to pop the balloon together!
- Experiencing the night stars and the incredible sunsets.
What retreat experiences challenged you?
- Changing a tyre: I didn’t think I could do it, but I could and then we even changed one that happened after the challenge was over!
- I usually despise camping, but I put up a tent, cooked a meal and had a good time!
- Trying to lead in a group of leaders was a difficult but necessary challenge to experience.
- I liked being puzzled by the challenges and activities across the farm.
- Having my swag completely soaked through—and sleeping the night through it!
- Setting up my swag with one arm! (fractured wrist…)
What goals do you have through the ‘Leading Men at Flinders’ program?
- To learn to work with a team of leaders, even if the dynamics can be difficult.
- To become a competent leader in any situation.
- To be able to lead others to take risks and have a try at new things.
- To remove taboos from conversations around men’s mental health.
- Become a better leader and enjoy time with friends before I finish Year 12.
- Help the Year 11s to become better leaders in preparation for their Senior year of leadership.
- Help the Leading Men Father’s Day Breakfast to run smoothly this year.
Events in the “2025 Leading Men at Flinders” Program
The 2025 Leading Men at Flinders program features a series of experiential events for boys at Flinders in Years 10, 11 and 12.
The program is comprised of several components:
- Leading Men at Flinders, Year 12 Retreat, 25-27 April: Our Year 12 student leaders attend a 3-day leadership and mentoring event with inspiring role models conducted over the Anzac long weekend at Yambeen Farming Company at Mt Russell, the Darling Downs, Qld.
- Guided Tour Through Supreme Courts and Dinner at University of Queensland, May: Participating students in Years 11 and 12 visit the Queensland Supreme Courts in May for a guided tour and conversations with Honourable Justice David Boddice, followed by a dinner and panel conversations at the University of Queensland with inspiring academics and researchers.
- Leading Men Capstone Event - Father’s Day Breakfast, September: Our current male Year 12 student leaders and participating Year 11 students have been charged with the coordination of our Leading Men Father’s Day Breakfast on Thursday, 4 September, featuring inspiring capstone speeches by two Year 12 leaders to share their personal learnings through the program.
The events are guided by high-performing role models and designed to be fun, challenging, practical and positive, with the goal to address concerns in society about ‘toxic masculinity’, violence, matters of consent and respectful relationships.