SA schools embroiled in controversy over the years
From social media controversies to graphic content being shared, numerous other schools have found themselves in the headlines over the years.
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Claims of misogynistic and racist behaviour at one of Adelaide’s most elite private schools has rattled the education community.
Pembroke School is dealing with the fallout of a “fines system” spreadsheet circulating among some student footy players, which included offences such as “kissing a whale” and “you’re having sloppy seconds”.
But it is far from the only controversy to rock South Australian schoolyards in recent times.
From social media controversies to sexually explicit content being shared between students, a look through the archives reveals a number of concerning school incidents over the years.
‘SERIOUS’ INCIDENT AT PRINCE ALFRED COLLEGE
While the details of this incident were shrouded in mystery, the events were serious enough for two students to be expelled and police to attend the all boys school.
In term 2 of 2023, the alleged bullying and harassment incident occurred, with a letter sent out and investigation launched in September of that year.
Leaders of the school were unable to comment on the situation but a letter seen by The Advertiser described the incident as of a “serious nature”.
It said three boarding students were involved in the behaviour towards another boarding student and were returned to the care of their parents.
It is understood the alleged victim returned to the Kent Town institute in term 4, while two students were expelled and the school would have “discussions” with the family of a third student.
Police later said the matter had been dealt with and would not be commenting further.
TATE-INSPIRED BEHAVIOUR RIFE IN SCHOOLS
Just a few months ago, an exclusive report in The Advertiser revealed the horrifying situations females working in an elite all-boys private school were enduring.
The teacher, who was kept anonymous, detailed instances of wolf-whistling, suggestive remarks and acts and even conversations about “gangbanging” her.
She said the rise in the disturbing behaviour coincided with the growing popularity and profile of Andrew Tate.
A self-professed misogynist, 37-year-old Tate has compared women to dogs and argued they should “bear some responsibility” for being raped.
Tate’s antics were also the centre of a similar conversation at Unley High School, resulting in the leadership sending out guidelines on what to do when students are exposed to like-minded social media content.
WILDERNESS SCHOOL’S ‘WALL OF BOYS’
In 2016, year 12 girls at the private Wilderness School created a “wall of boys” – a giant photo collage of their sexual and romantic conquests – who they then shamed on social media.
The pictures were displayed in the Year 12 common room and remained there until it was featured in an end-of-year video.
Staff initially believed the display to be “innocent” but swift action was taken after a slide show was posted to social media.
Students from all-boys schools nearby complained of the double standard in a lack of consequences for the girls involved.
ST PETER’S COLLEGE EXPLICIT FOOTAGE SHARED
Students from St Peter’s College were charged after sexually explicit material was filmed and shared in 2017.
It was understood the footage was taken at a private party following an inter-school football match.
Two boys were charged for engaging in humiliating filming and distributing an invasive image when police took carriage of the reports.
The private school said it took “firm and proportionate action” when they were made aware of the incident.
GOLDEN GROVE’S ANONYMOUS TIK TOKS
The ugly side of Tik Tok was apparent for students at Golden Grove High School in 2022.
Clips on the social media platform posted by an anonymous profile, using the school’s logo as its display picture, rates teenage girls on appearance as well as ranking the “biggest sl**s”.
Other videos posted by the same account include listing students among the “biggest flops”, “biggest catfishes” and “wannabees”.
Some of the students featured in the videos were in year 7 at the time.
Up to 20 videos were shared from the account before many were taken down when the Education Department and school were notified.
Students were offered wellbeing support as a result, but at least two families pulled their students from classrooms.
PRIVATE SEX ACT FOOTAGE CIRCULATED ACROSS SCHOOLS
Footage secretly recorded of a teenage boy performing a private sex act was sent from students at Christian Brothers School to Loreto College students in 2016.
It is understood the boy who was filmed was from another school and unaware he had been captured.
SA Police were made aware of the incident, while CBC refused to elaborate on any disciplinary action taken against students involved in sharing the video.
ORIENTATION WEEK GRAPHIC MAGAZINE
A disturbing publication was unearthed five years after it was circulated around an Adelaide University, revealing a scoresheet encouraging sexual conquests and graphic poems about sexual assault.
The St Mark’s College O’Mag was published by students in 2013 and included demeaning descriptions of first year students as well as revealing some disturbing expectations of college culture, such as going to a lecture drunk and watching porn in a common room.
The university was only made aware of the magazine when approached for comment in 2018.
ADELAIDE HIGH SCHOOL’S CULTURE ROASTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Allegations of a “rape culture” at Adelaide High School reared their head after a social media post by a student surfaced in 2021.
The student claimed sexual harassment was a common occurrence on school grounds after she noticed online commentary from other students at the school “sharing stories and opinions discussing the horrific rape culture that is prevalent throughout the entirety of the Adelaide High community”.
The post called on more to be done within the school community in order to combat the sexual harassment and the school responded with a letter to parents and carers and ensured support would be offered to students affected by any incidents.
BESTIALITY AND INCEST DISCUSSIONS AT RENMARK HIGH SCHOOL
An investigation was launched in April of this year at Renmark High School following complaints of “confronting” content during an educational seminar.
An outside speaker was brought in for a presentation on respectful relationships which was said to include discussion about incest and bestiality.
Parents of children who attended, some as young as 14, criticised the content and lack of staff supervision, with one family taking their children out of the school.
The school launched an internal review and apologised for the oversight in a letter to parents.
SUSPENDED PORN TEACHER REHIRED
A school scandal dating back to the early 2000s was reignited after an administrative blunder meant a teacher, previously suspended for using a student’s computer to access porn, was rehired at another school.
The education department conducted an urgent audit into the teacher’s new role and he was stood down, again.
The review found that the teacher had been able to work at Springbank Secondary College and Para Hills High School before that because not all appropriate department processes had been completed.
The original scandal occurred at Naracoorte High School in 2004.
PRINCE ALFRED CRICKET COACH CAUGHT UP IN TIM PAINE DRAMA
Australian Cricket Test captain Tim Paine’s brother-in-law was embroiled in a similar sexting scandal in 2017.
Shannon Tubb, who was the cricket coach at Prince Alfred College, kept his job after a review into his alleged lewd behaviour was completed in 2022.
Parents were notified of the school’s decision to keep him in his role and there was no opposition to that decision.
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