St Hilda’s School: Nineteen potential witnesses come forward in teacher abuse case
A law firm’s witness appeal for alleged historical child abuse at an elite private school on the Gold Coast has uncovered reports of multiple former students feeling “uncomfortable” around the same teacher at the centre of the complaint.
Nineteen former students allege they witnessed inappropriate behaviour towards pupils at St Hilda’s School in the late 1980s, lawyers say.
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers says it has been “inundated” with responses to a witness call-out over allegations of abuse at the Gold Coast school.
The firm lodged a claim in the Supreme Court in Brisbane over allegations a former boarding student was groomed and sexually abused by a staff member at the time.
Maurice Blackburn is urging anyone with information to come forward as the case moves towards potential trial.
Associate Sarah Borrows said the response since the appeal went live had been significant, with 19 people contacting the firm to report multiple instances of “poor and inappropriate” treatment of students at the school.
Former students had said they felt “uncomfortable” around the same female teacher at the centre of the complaint.
“Maurice Blackburn has been inundated with calls and emails from former St Hilda’s students in response to our witness call out,” Ms Borrows said.
“Since our appeal went live a month ago, we’ve already had 19 people contact us to share their experiences of their time at the school.
“These potential witnesses have reported multiple instances of poor and inappropriate treatment and harsh punishment of students at the school.
“A number of students have also come forward reporting they felt uncomfortable around the same teacher at the centre of our client’s complaint.”
Ms Borrows said she wished to thank all of those who had contacted the firm so far.
“Their witness accounts will make an important difference to the case for our client,” Ms Borrows said.
“We’d still like to encourage anyone else out there who might have information to share to get in touch.
“All emails and phone calls will be treated confidentially.”
Senior associate and head of the firm’s abuse law practice in Queensland Heather Kerley said last month: “Our client alleges there were repeated acts of grooming and sexual abuse that occurred at the school – that that was allegedly perpetrated by a staff member at the school, (and) that occurred while our client was a boarding student at the school over approximately a 12-month period”.
Ms Kerley said the firm wanted to hear from former students, staff or parents from the 1980s, or anyone with information about the school’s culture during that period – whether positive or negative.
“If they had a great experience, that’s helpful for us, if they didn’t have a great experience, that’s also helpful for us to know so we can be thorough in our investigation.”
She said witness information wasn’t limited to direct knowledge of abuse.
A St Hilda’s School spokesperson last month said the school took any suggestion of historic abuse extremely seriously.
“St Hilda’s School remains committed to providing a safe environment, where all students receive the highest standard of care and support at all times,” the spokesperson said.
Principal Virginia Warner told parents that for schools owned by the Anglican Church Southern Queensland, redress regarding historical abuse was managed by a specialist team who could be contacted directly via email.
She urged parents with concerns about their daughter’s wellbeing or safety to contact her directly.
More Coverage
Originally published as St Hilda’s School: Nineteen potential witnesses come forward in teacher abuse case
