No-go zones for Waverley College students after hazing scandal

Waverley students targeted in a hazing ritual were told to stay away from Bondi Junction Westfield and Bronte Beach, with school officials worried they’d faced retaliation for reporting the incident.

Waverley College told students to stay away from local haunts for fear of retaliation over a hazing scandal. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Waverley College students were warned not to visit Bondi Junction Westfield or Bronte Beach amid fears they could be the subjects of a retaliatory attack by a group of recently expelled boys.

Parents who claim their Year 7 sons were beaten with belts, locked in fire hydrant cupboards, made to bark like dogs and told to lick the shoes of other students by Year 9 pupils have told of meetings with Principal Graham Leddie.

In the meetings, they said Mr Leddie told them to be careful where their sons were hanging out outside school hours.

One father said during the meeting with Mr Leddie he was advised it might be a good idea to tell his son to keep away from the busy Bondi Junction complex, an area where school kids have been known to congregate.

“Mr Leddie did say that while he didn’t expect any sort of retribution, to be on the safe side, it might be a good idea,” the father said.

Waverley College Principal Graham Leddie told students to stay away form eastern suburbs hot spots following the hazing scandal. Picture: John Appleyard

Parents said the principal also warned the grass area near Bronte Beach known as the “gully” was an area to avoid.

But after conversations with other parents concerns were raised further.

Students were told to steer clear of Bondi Junction Westfields.

Bronte Beach was also listed as a no go zone.

“He (Mr Leddie) tried to generalise it by saying you shouldn’t go to Bronte gully anyway,” the parent said.

“He did say to another parent just be careful where you let your boys go this week (on school holidays) … There’s a fear level, if it can happen inside school, what can happen outside school? That was very worrying.”

But solicitor Paul Kenny, who is representing a number of the Year 9 boys expelled, said he guaranteed there would be no further incidents.

Mr Kenny, a Waverley old boy himself said the students had been willing to apologise for their actions in front of the school, and meet with the boys involved and their families.

Shocked school parents have spoken out about the attacks which happened over three days in October this year when the youngsters at the $20,000 a year all-boys Catholic school were dragged by a group of Year 9 students into a classroom which didn’t have CCTV cameras.

The bullying took place against students in Year 7.

Jewish students and staff had also been targeted for their heritage, some of whom had left

One of the boys’ mothers told The Daily Telegraph that much of what had been alleged was grossly over-exaggerated.

“I was happy with the school until this incident and believe my son has been very harshly done by,” she said.

“I believe there was not a proper investigation. When you have the futures of young people at stake it should be thorough and exhaustive.”

Premier Dominic Perrottet responded to the disturbing reports this week by saying parents needed to set the right example for children.

“I’ve made some changes as you’d be aware in terms of education policy in this state … really ramping up support for mental health in classrooms and behaviour specialists,” he said.

“We can’t have an education environment where people are misbehaving and bullying.

“We need to have greater respect and tolerance for each other … we can hardly expect our children to be on their best behaviour when we’re seeing adults behaving (badly online).”