NSW Premier Chris Minns is right to launch a discussion on the potential for schools to solve the problems unearthed as boys were accused of rape across Sydney, but the role of parents must not be dismissed. (“Crisis talks called on sex assaults”, ST, 23/8). Within the education system, boys are certainly a captive audience and helpful education from the parents of Daniel Morcombe can only be insightful. But are we asking too much of our wonderful teachers, already overwhelmed with existing social engineering programs, rigid code of conduct protocols and schoolroom syllabus? Parents of the allegedly offending schoolboys have not been mentioned in the media while the schools they attend have been savaged. Parents have been significantly disempowered legally in disciplining their own children, with even a simple smack demonised in the courts. ‘Spare the rod, spoil the child’ is an axiom that still rings true. Empowering parents is surely the key. Brimming with common sense, reporter Nathanael Cooper writes brilliantly, highlighting a father’s vital responsibility to his child, captioned perfectly in the headline (“Teaching consent to your son is as vital as learning to swim”, ST, 23/8). Alan Sexton, North Parramatta 30Aug2026
