Pembroke School in crisis as students caught creating a misogynistic and racist footy fines spreadsheet

A top private school is in crisis after a footy fine system was created by students which penalised players for behaviour such as “kissing a whale”.

Pembroke School is in crisis after some student footballers created a misogynistic and racist internal fine system.

Multiple sources have told The Advertiser that some footballers at the elite private college created a spreadsheet of fineable “offences” that included “kissing a whale”, “you’re having sloppy seconds” and “your girlfriend’s crazy”.

Another offence involved a disgraceful racist slur degrading and targeting Indigenous women.

Others were for teammates being “fat” or “a pedophile”.

Pembroke School is in crisis after student footballers created a spreadsheet of fineable ‘offences’. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

One of Pembroke School’s buildings. Picture: Supplied

One source labelled the footballers’ conduct as “entitled, racist, misogynistic” and described them as “little turds”. But the school has blamed broader influences, saying the scandal was “reflective of society”.

It is understood a school assembly was held last Friday to address the issue and that dozens of students have been spoken to. But the school has not said what, if any, disciplinary action was being taken.

Some female students are so distraught they are refusing to come to school, The Advertiser has been told.

Pembroke was given multiple opportunities to respond to the details of the claims, which included that the amount of the fine for “kissing a whale” was $56.

Principal Mark Staker declined, saying the school was “not in a position to provide details concerning the circumstances as the wellbeing and privacy of our students and families are paramount”.

The only clarifications he made were that no coaches were involved and the scandal did not relate to Pembroke’s Intercol match-up with Scotch College.

Pembroke charges more than $31,000 in fees for Year 12, more than any other school in the state.

Mark Staker, principal of Pembroke School said the school was “working in partnership with families to move through this challenge sensitively, delicately and educatively”. Picture: Pembroke School

In a statement, Mr Staker said the school was “working in partnership with families to move through this challenge sensitively, delicately and educatively”.

“It has been an extensive process which remains ongoing and it is being managed in a way where dignity, support and fairness are extended to all,” he said.

Mr Staker said Pembroke was “strictly adhering” to its duty of care to young people “which includes reporting obligations concerning child protection”.

“As a school, we never shy away from or turn a blind eye to issues that emerge,” Mr Staker said.

“We always commit to walking alongside families and young people to help them navigate life, with an awareness that young people make mistakes.

“What we do is help people make sense of these mistakes and take action to shape a better society.”

Mr Staker described the scandal as “a matter that is reflective of society more generally”.

“We all have a responsibility to ensure the way we treat ourselves and each other is grounded in the school’s values such as respect, honesty and kindness,” he said.

“We hope that we can learn and grow through this experience. We are extremely grateful for the trusted partnership we sharewith our families and as we work though this challenge, we will continue to walk alongside our students and parents.”

Originally published as Pembroke School in crisis as students caught creating a misogynistic and racist footy fines spreadsheet