Three Prince Alfred College students in ‘serious’ bullying scandal
Two students have been kicked out of the high end college and a third’s future there is in question due to the “serious nature” of the situation, parents have been told.
Education
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One of South Australia’s elite colleges is dealing with a serious scandal involving boarding students, with police called and students expelled.
Prince Alfred College headmaster David Roberts has written to all families advising them of the alleged incident of bullying and harassment of a boarding student in term 2.
He said it was “is of a serious nature” and that all relevant authorities have been contacted.
Due to the nature of their alleged behaviour, three students were immediately sent home while investigations were undertaken, and they have not returned to the campus.
Two of the three young students involved will not be returning to the college and discussions with the third family are ongoing.
Mr Roberts said the college immediately commenced its own investigation and had been informed that the police would not be taking the matter further.
He stressed the college had zero tolerance for bullying and harassment and holds the safety and wellbeing of all students as the highest priority.
“We have met with the individual student and his family and are providing our full support,” he advised all parents and caregivers.
“Due to the nature of their alleged behaviour, the other three students have returned to the care of their parents whilst investigations are being undertaken.”
It is understood this was an isolated incident, with no other students involved in the alleged behaviour.
“While the boarders have not been given specific details of the alleged incident, they do know that a behavioural matter is being investigated,” Mr Roberts said in communications with parents and caregivers.
“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. The College takes incidents of this nature extremely seriously.
“We have met with the individual student and his family and are providing our full and ongoing support.
“Following close consultation with his family, we are pleased the student will be returning to the College in Term 4.”
Mr Roberts asked the school community to consider the privacy and wellbeing of the boys involved and noted that 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.”
Police have refused to provide any comment due to the age of those involved and the nature of the incident but said the matter has been closed.
In a statement to the media, the College’s principal said the school was also informed that the police “will not be taking this matter further”.
“With respect to the privacy of those involved, the College will not be providing further comment at this time,” the statement ended.
On the College’s website it said the boarding school provides “a welcoming and supportive place for boys to live and learn”.
“With a focus on academic, physical and emotional wellbeing, we are committed to giving our boarding boys the support and care they need as we oversee their education in a safe and modern home away from home,” the website said.
PAC charges parents of boarders an extra $28,389 a year for one child on top of regular tuition fees to board at the school.
Tuition fees for year 7 to 9 are $27,360 per year and year 10 to 12 fees are $29,190 per year.
Discounts are 10 per cent are added per child in attendance.
All students in year 7 to 12 are also required to purchase a nominated device.
7NEWS reported that police gathered several statements but would not be taking the matter further at the request of the alleged victim.
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