Pulteney Grammar School suspended for photoshopping female student’s head on naked photo

Pulteney has become the latest elite private school to be involved in a shocking scandal, after a group of boys were suspended and police notified over a crude incident.

Another elite private school is facing controversy after a group of boys photoshopped the head of a fellow female student onto a picture of a naked body of a woman.

The Advertiser can reveal a small group of students from Pulteney Grammar School have been suspended as a result of the incident, which occurred last week.

The school confirmed the boys were suspended for five days and police were notified after the image was uncovered. 

Pulteney Grammar School suspended for photoshopping female student’s head on naked photo. Picture: Matt Loxton

In a statement, the school said it is aware of an “incident involving a small number of students this week”.

In a statement, the school confirmed the suspensions and said they were yet to hear back from police, despite the report. 

“An extremely small number of students were involved in creating an image that breached Pulteney’s code of conduct,” the statement said.

“The students responsible were suspended for five days in accordance with school policy. The image was not further distributed.

“As required, the school notified SAPOL and has not received further communication or follow up from police.” 

The school said it had programs in place to ensure there would not be a repeat of the incident. 

Pulteney Grammar, Wednesday, July 17, 2024. Picture: Matt Loxton

“Pulteney Grammar School has a comprehensive wellbeing program that includes education on consent, respectful relationships and responsible decision-making,” the statement said. 

“We work closely with parents to support our students in making positive choices.”

SAPOL was contacted for comment.

The incident comes just days after The Advertiser uncovered that student footballers at Pembroke School created a spreadsheet of fineable “offences”, including “kissing a whale”, “you’re having sloppy seconds” and one that involved a racist slur targeting Indigenous women.

It is understood the school earlier held an assembly to address the issue and has spoken to dozens of students but would not say whether disciplinary action was being taken.

Since the incident, Greens MLC Robert Simms has put forward a bill, to be introduced to parliament next month, that would require private schools to publicly disclose data on student behaviour in a bid to create more transparency in the area.

Public schools are required to report extensive data to the Education Department. That data is either made available on government websites or subject to Freedom of Information requests.

The changes called for by Mr Simms would apply to any non-government school teaching Reception to Year 12. Preschools, kindergartens or childcare centres would not be affected to the proposed laws.

Other private schools also have been cuaght up in scandals in the past week.

Two students at Blackfriars Priory School in Prospect were expelled after a group of football players set fire to a CBC sports jacket following an Intercol match.

Several others were suspended and principal David Ruggiero said the school “acted swiftly and decisively” upon being informed.

In a separate incident a group of students from Christian Brothers College and St Aloysius College, were allegedly involved in a pushing and shoving altercation in Rundle Mall.

Christian Brothers College principal David Johnston confirmed an incident involving “inappropriate interactions” and “poor conduct” had taken place but that police were not involved.

“CBC and SAC have been collaboratively addressing the situation, and the students involved have been fully cooperative throughout the process,” Mr Johnston said.

“Both schools are committed to ensuring the wellbeing of all students and fostering a safe and respectful environment.

“We want to respect the privacy of the students involved and allow both schools to continue their internal processes.”