Students at Somerville House discipline over drug-related incident

Students at Brisbane’s Somerville House were allegedly selling cannabis and vape equipment from their lockers, and drinking alcohol at morning tea. Two are believed to have left the school.

Details of a drug incident involving some students at Brisbane’s elite Somerville House girls school have come to light, with allegations students were selling cannabis and vape equipment from their lockers and drinking alcohol during morning tea.

It is also alleged a student was in possession of the prescription drug Xanax.

The Courier-Mail understands two of the girls, believed to be in Year 9, involved have left the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association-run school.

Principal Kim Kiepe confirmed a small number of students had been involved in the prescription drug-related incident, but no-one was expelled.

“This matter involved a prescription drug, reported to be Xanax, and vapes,” Mrs Kiepe said.

Somerville House principal Kim Kiepe said she could not disclose specific details about the incident.

“This is a very unfortunate situation and we are acting in a manner which maintains the health, safety and wellbeing of these students as well as the whole school community.”

Mrs Kiepe said the school took all reports of alcohol, drug or substance use very seriously and would continue to implement appropriate consequences, depending on the seriousness of the behaviour.

She said the school had investigated the matters in detail and denied allegations that students were selling cannabis and drinking on school grounds.

“The consequences for each student involved in this incident were appropriate, according to the seriousness of their behaviour,” Mrs Kiepe said.

“When there are reasonable grounds to believe that a student on school property or at a school event or in school uniform is in possession of illegal drugs or implements associated with illegal drug use and/or manufacture, as principal, I am required to act in a manner that upholds the health, safety and wellbeing of all members of our school community.

“To respect the privacy of those who are involved, we are unable to disclose any specific details.”

Somerville House’s school policy states the use, possession and supply of drugs and drug paraphernalia by students are strictly prohibited.

Somerville House is run by the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association, which also governs Brisbane Boys’ College, Clayfield College and Sunshine Coast Grammar School.