Cranbrook School orders ‘detailed review’ into Sieg Heil anti-Semitism scandal

A $40,000 a year Sydney private school has ordered a “detailed review” into a spate of abhorrent reports of anti-Semitism by its students.

A lucrative Sydney private school has ordered an internal review after disturbing reports of anti-Semitic behaviour by its students.

Cranbrook School, a $40,000 a year private school, told parents, students and alumni that they were ordering a “detailed” investigation after The Daily Telegraph exposed a video of a student smiling and giving a Sieg Heil to the camera.

The video supports concerns from Jewish leaders of a growing rise in anti-Semitism in schools across the state.

The incident came after the Telegraph also revealed anti-Semitic comments in a vile group chat run by students at prestigious north shore school Knox Grammar.

“Last week the Headmaster wrote to the community about certain anti-social and discriminatory behaviour at Cranbrook. This followed reports of anti-Semitic bullying,” school council president Jon North wrote in an email seen by the Telegraph.

There has been a concerning rise in anti-Semitic bullying.

The school has ordered an urgent review in light of the incidents exposed by The Daily Telegraph

“In addition to steps already taken, the School Council has resolved to work closely with the Headmaster to undertake a detailed review of the conduct in question in order to strengthen and develop further educational initiatives that encourage a strong sense of integrity, empathy and respect in our students.

“Cranbrook will work closely with community organisations to develop these initiatives. In this regard, the School Council has invited Mr Darren Bark, CEO of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies, to speak with us at our next meeting in October.”

The full letter sent from Cranbrook School Council President Jon North to the school community. Picture: Supplied

Mr North said once the review is completed, the council will report back to the community.

He added that it was the school’s “moral duty” to protect students from “all forms of racism”.

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies chief executive Darren Bark said the organisation had been inundated with reports of anti-Semitic bullying in NSW schools since they launched an online reporting portal last week.

“We welcome the announcement of a review into the anti-Semitic conduct of students at Cranbrook School and invitation to address their next school council meeting,” he said.

“This is an important step in tackling the scourge of bigotry that has surfaced in schools across the state.

“The Jewish Board of Deputies will work closely with Cranbrook’s leadership to ensure that students at the school receive additional education about the harmful effects of dehumanising their fellow students.”

Cranbrook High School in Sydney, where the CEO of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies has been invited to speak.

The review comes as students in Sydney’s eastern suburbs are set to meet for two consecutive education summits in a bid to stamp out a disturbing rise in anti-Semitism in NSW schools.

Independent Wentworth MP Allegra Spender, whose electorate has one of the largest populations of Jewish-Australians, had been planning the educations summits for some time but decided to ramp up a focus on racism in light of the recent incidents.

The summits will be held in November for primary and high school students.

Allegra Spender is hosting two education summits to tackle antisemitism. Picture: Darren Leigh Roberts

Ms Spender said the reports of anti-Semitic and pro-Nazi comments being shared were disturbing and needed to be addressed.

“The best of this country is (we are) a multicultural multi-faith community where everyone can belong … There was a recent report out from the Gandel Foundation about the concerning dropping understanding of the Holocaust,” she said.

“This applies to all schools, all schools and all communities can learn from developing a deeper understanding about (the Holocaust). Sydney is lucky we have a really lovely Jewish Museum just in Darlinghurst and it’s really well set out for school groups.

“It’s not just confined to the private schools, this is a broader issue.”