Parents of expelled Waverley College students challenge accusations, demand inquiry

The parents of students expelled from Waverley College over a hazing scandal are disputing allegations levelled at their sons and want an independent investigation into the matter.

The parents of Year 9 students expelled from Waverley College over a hazing scandal want an independent investigation into the matter. Picture: Jeremy Piper

The parents of Year 9 students expelled from Waverley College over a hazing scandal are disputing many of the allegations levelled at their sons and want an independent investigation into the matter.

They said their sons had also offered to apologise in front of the whole school and meet with the Year 7 students involved, along with their parents.

“These are serious allegations, many of which are disputed by those who were expelled,” said well-known Sydney criminal lawyer and former NSW detective Paul Kenny, who is acting for five of the six boys expelled.

“We believe an independent person with an investigative and legal background needs to be engaged to review the process that resulted in the expulsion of the boys,” Mr Kenny said.

“We would also warmly welcome a police investigation into the claims.”

The elite eastern suburbs school said the incident escalated after Year 7 boys threw water and fruit at Year 9 students.

All the parents of the Year 9 boys lodged a complaint with the school’s operators, Edmund Rice Education Australia, challenging the expulsions.

Lawyer Paul Kenny, a Waverley old boy, is representing five of the six expelled Year 9 students.

“They are devastated by what has happened and the manner in which the matter was handled,’’ Mr Kenny said.

“Suffice to say, we would like to see a positive outcome for the boys and the school.”

The school confirmed the altercation between the year groups began after Year 7 students threw water and fruit at Year 9 students.

Multiple sources have said the water was in full plastic water bottles and the Year 9 students were also spat on.

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

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.”

School principal Graham Leddie said the retaliation by the Year 9 students for a schoolyard incident was totally “disproportionate”, adding the school and already concluded an independent investigation.

“The incident began with some Year 7 students provoking some Year 9s by throwing fruit and water at them during lunchtime,” he said in a letter to parents.

“The Year 9s responded completely disproportionately to the younger students, and it got out of hand.

“The College has already engaged in an independent review which was requested by one of the parents of the students whose appalling behaviour resulted in their enrolment being cancelled.”

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