Rockhampton Grammar School leaks confidential medical information

An elite Queensland school has emailed students’ confidential medical details and it is not the first time private information has been leaked.

The Rockhampton Grammar School. Picture: Google Maps.

An elite Central Queensland school has leaked 18 students’ confidential medical information to a group of parents in a document about an excursion.

In an apology email sent by the Rockhampton Grammar School on Sunday, September 1, and signed by deputy headmaster Donna Grant, it outlined the leak.

“It has come to the school’s attention that confidential medical information, intended solely for risk assessment, was inadvertently shared with the parents of 2I,” she said.

“We sincerely apologise for this mistake.”

Ms Grant then asked anyone who received the information to “delete it immediately” and attached the “correct” document related to the planned excursion.

The Rockhampton Grammar School. Picture: Google Maps.

“The incident is being thoroughly investigated, and we will provide further communication once the matter is resolved,” she said.

The apology email did not detail the number of students affected, but the school confirmed in a response to this publication that 18 students from one grade in the primary school were affected.

It is not the first time private information has leaked from the school.

In February, the school apologised to parents about an “IT error” that resulted in “email visibility” issues.

“Our IT department had assured us that email addresses would be invisible to all recipients, but unfortunately, this was not the case,” the email stated.

“We understand the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of your information and take full responsibility for this oversight.”

The second apology email originated from the dance and musical theatre academy and stated a new link was “thoroughly tested” to confirm emails were not visible.

Rockhampton Grammar School headmaster Dr Phillip Moulds has reassured parents no other private information was at risk.

The school headmaster Dr Phillip Moulds said the “unintended disclosure” of student information was “highly regrettable”.

“Our school takes the protection of private information very seriously,” he said.

“We have issued an apology to those families impacted by the breach and initiated an investigation into the incident, in accordance with the School’s Privacy Policy and Data Breach Response plan.

“We understand the concern this may cause in our school community and are committed to undertaking a thorough review and making any changes required to improve our robust data protection and practices further.

“The breach occurred due to human error, and I wish to reassure families that no other private information is at risk.”