Prince Alfred College leaders refuse to comment further on ‘serious’ incident

Two students have been expelled and police were called in over the “serious incident”, it has been confirmed.

Prince Alfred College at Kent Town. Picture: Emma Brasier

Leaders of one of Adelaide’s elite private schools have closed ranks in the wake of revelations of a scandal involving boarding students.

Two Prince Alfred College students have been expelled and police were called in over the “serious incident” of alleged bullying and harassment that occurred in Term 2.

Earlier this week, College headmaster David Roberts confirmed in a letter to parents the two students would not return to the school and “discussions” with the family of a third student were ongoing.

Mr Roberts said after “close consultation with his family” the alleged victim would return to school when Term 4 begins on October 16.

Prince Alfred College headmaster David Roberts. Picture: Supplied

However school leaders, including Chairman of the Prince Alfred College Council Richard Hockney, would not comment further when contacted by The Advertiser on Thursday.

Prince Alfred Old Collegians’ Association executive officer Mary-Ann Standish referred inquiries to Mr Roberts.

Association of Independent Schools SA chief executive Anne Dunstan also would not comment.

The alleged incident occurred at some point during Term 2 but the exact timing has not been made public.

It is understood school leaders were not aware of the incident until Saturday, September 16, when a third party told College leadership.

The school immediately launched an investigation and notified SA Police on Monday, September 18.

Mr Roberts sent a letter to the school community the following day informing parents of “an alleged incident relating to the recent behaviour” of three boarding students.

The first letter sent home on the incident.

The second letter sent home to parents.

“The behaviour relates to alleged bullying and harassment of another boarding student and is of a serious nature,” he wrote.

An update was sent to parents earlier this week, revealing the school had been approached about the incident by media.

Mr Roberts said the school would “continue to work closely with our boarding community to ensure the highest behaviour standards are upheld and the wellbeing of our boys is maintained”.

“At Prince Alfred College we have a zero tolerance for bullying and harassment, and we hold the safety and wellbeing of all our students as our highest priority,” he wrote.

“The College takes incidents of this nature extremely seriously.

“With respect to the privacy of those involved, the College will not be providing further details of the incident, and we ask our community to also consider the privacy and wellbeing of the boys involved.”

Police have refused to comment due to the age of those involved and the nature of the incident but said the matter had been closed.

In a statement to media on Wednesday, Mr Roberts said the school was also informed that police “will not be taking this matter further”.