Brisbane Boys’ College overturns expulsion of four students over alleged gang bashing linked to sexting scandal
Students expelled over an alleged bashing of a boy who allegedly sexted their female friends have been allowed to return to school after their parents sued the college for up to $750,000
Education
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The expulsion of four students over an alleged gang bashing at Brisbane Boys’ College has been sensationally overturned after their parents sued the elite school and its principal for up to $750,000.
The Courier-Mail can confirm the negligence claim, filed in the District Court, has been dropped and the Year 9 boys allowed to return.
The backflip also follows an online petition accusing the 118-year-old Toowong school of being “unjust” and breaching school policy for dealing with bullying incidents.
Several students have boasted on social media about the about-face, with one in uniform posting, “the boys are f..cking back baby”.
The four were expelled on September 17 after allegedly hitting a student the boys claimed had been repeatedly sexting their female friends, according to court documents.
Parents John De Stefani, Tam Elabbasi, Jacinta Wrakuale and Ingrid Dimock filed a claim against BBC and principal Paul Brown on September 29, saying the boys were not afforded basic rights and protections, such as an adult support person, during formal interviews by three senior teachers.
They claimed school staff tried to force confessions and that sexting allegations were not investigated.
One angry mother, whose child was not involved in the alleged incident, said she was “disgusted” with the school.
“BBC has backed down because they don’t want to pay out $750,000, and the old boy network is alive and well,” she said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
“From the outset, the school did not follow policy, and now kids are bragging all over Snapchat that the boys are back and we have won.
“That sends a terrible message – that kids have the authority to dole out punishment as they see fit – when in reality the school has failed in its duty of care for all seven boys involved.”
Another parent said: “The school overreacted and treated this case differently to others; they’ve stuffed up big time at every level, and tried to keep it quiet.
“It was nothing more than a playground brawl. The boys should never have been expelled, and students are celebrating a wrong that has been righted.”
Headmaster Paul Brown said: “This is a private matter and a difficult time for the students, their families and others involved.
“Their mental health and wellbeing is at the forefront of our minds.
“We have undertaken a thorough investigation into the incident and are working together with the families to resolve this complex issue as quickly as possible. It is pre-emptive to comment while the matter is ongoing.
“To respect the privacy and welfare of these people and our community, we are unable to provide further details.”
BBC is governed by the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association, which has been besieged by controversy in recent years, including the shock resignation of Clayfield College principal Kathy Bishop, and parents and alumni demanding the axing of the “old guard”.
Last year BBC and the PMSA admitted a rowing coach they sacked for telling his squad not to twirl their “wangers” had never committed serious wrongdoing.
The coach, David Bellamy, won a five-year legal battle to clear his name against the PMSA with a settlement said to top $1m.
The online petition lodged after the expulsion of the four students in September stated:
“We believe the expulsion of the four Grade 9 boys was unjust and not in accordance with the school’s policy on bullying that … ‘the headmaster of deputy headmaster will not cancel the enrolment of the student until the allegations of misconduct have been put to the student and the student representative and the student has been provided with an opportunity to respond’.
“In this instance, the boys did not have a student representative for both parties and the outcome has been determined despite an ongoing investigation.”
One suspended student who signed the petition said: “The other boys and I who were accused of doing stuff have been treated unfairly. All of the boys who were expelled did not get a chance to explain what happened.”