Pulteney Grammar School in Adelaide refers old scholars’ claims of bullying and abuse to SA Police
ONE of South Australia’s most prestigious private schools has referred allegations of bullying and abuse of its students in the 1980s to police.
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ONE of South Australia’s most prestigious private schools has referred allegations of bullying and abuse of its students in the 1980s to police.
Pulteney Grammar School circulated a letter across the school’s community on Saturday — including to parents, caregivers and old scholars — detailing allegations that students who attended the school in the 1980s may have been bullied or abused by some staff.
The school’s principal, Anne Dunstan, said Pulteney became aware of the matter last week through social media activity among some old scholars.
“The matter has been reported to the South Australia Police and we will continue to assist them in any way that we can,” she wrote in her letter.
“To the best of our knowledge, these matters relate only to previous students.
“They do not relate to any current staff or employees of Pulteney.”
The letter is dated March 11, 2017.
Pulteney Grammar School — an independent, Anglican, coeducational, private day school — was founded in 1848 by members of the Anglican Church of Australia.
Mrs Dunstan said in her letter that the South Tce school was committed to child protection and keeping students safe.
“The school has strict policies on child protection and interactions between staff and students,” the letter says.
“Consistent with this commitment, Pulteney has adopted the Debelle guidelines developed jointly by the South Australian Government and non-government education sectors.
“The guidelines require a school’s community to be informed when matters arise that may be relevant to them.”
She said the allegations were that bullying or abuse occurred in the 1980s, but possibly before that too.
“Pulteney’s commitment to its students is lifelong,” she says.
“We will act and we will assist wherever we can, no matter when abuse or bullying occurred.”
Mrs Dunstan encouraged old scholars or current students with relevant information to contact her without delay.
“Old scholars — as with current students — may come to me confident that their concerns will be heard, investigated and acted upon and that they themselves will be treated with dignity, empathy and sensitivity, respecting confidentiality,” she wrote.
“If you have any questions or any concerns, please contact me without delay.
“We also have key school support staff who are available.
“Alternatively, if you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis or is at risk, call Lifeline Adelaide 24/7 on 13 11 14.
“Pulteney Grammar School maintains high child protection standards and we put students at the heart of all we do.
“We are committed to our students, present, past and future.”
