St Bede’s College in Melbourne thrown into lockdown after concerning photo posted to social media

A school in Melbourne’s southeast has been thrown into lockdown after a concerning post was shared to social media.

A school in Melbourne’s southeast was thrown into lockdown after an alleged “threatening social media post”.

St Bede’s College in Mentone was put into lockdown at 8.25am on Wednesday.

The lockdown followed a photo being posted to social media on Tuesday night, which was captioned “I’m unloading mags on my teacher”, according to the Herald Sun.

A photo was uploaded to social media on Tuesday night. Picture:: Facebook.

St Bede’s College went into lockdown at 8.25am on Wednesday. Picture: Google

Parents flocked to Facebook on Wednesday morning, with one claiming the photo had spurred the lockdown.

“Sadly I believe a kid has posted a photo with a weapon. I hope I’ve heard wrong. However apparently kids are snap chat about this,” one person wrote to Facebook.

“Can confirm – male posted a photo of a gun and bullets, mentioning of wanting to harm a teacher,” another replied.

A Victoria Police spokesperson has confirmed the Moorabbin Crime Investigation Unit was investigating a “threatening social media post” reported about 11pm on Tuesday.

“The post did not include threats against any particular school or person,” the spokesperson said.

“Investigations to determine who created the post are underway.

“There is currently no threat to St Bede’s College in Mentone.”

Parents received text messages about the lockdown, which has now been lifted. Picture: Facebook.

A text message to parents on Wednesday morning confirmed the lockdown, however emergency services are yet to provide an update.

“Message from St Bedes College: Mentone Campus is still in lockdown and no further updates. All students and staff are safe,” the text read.

St Bede’s College Principal Deb Frizza has released a statement confirming the lockdown has been lifted.

“All our students and staff are safe,” Ms Frizza said.

“At 8.25am this morning, St Bede’s College Mentone commenced lockdown on the advice of Police as part of a Police Operation.

“At 9.40am the lockdown was lifted, and classes have resumed as normal.

“Thank you to all our community for your cooperation and understanding.”

St Bede’s College Principal Deb Frizza spoke to the media following the lockdown. PICTURE : NewsWire / Nicki Connolly

The school was founded in 1938. Picture: Supplied

St Bede’s College is a catholic boys school, founded in 1938.

Annual fees to attend the college begin at $9,380 for Year 7 students, with the figure rising to $9,580 for Year 12 students.

The total fees include annual tuition, maintenance and development of the facilities, membership for the parents and friends association, and a laptop.

However the fees don’t include uniform, Year 7 to 10 english novels, Year 11 and 12 textbooks, stationery and optional college trips — including ski trips, European History Tours and Indigenous Immersion Tours).

There are 1,900 students across the Mentone and Bentleigh East campuses as of 2023.

Originally published as St Bede’s College in Melbourne thrown into lockdown after concerning photo posted to social media