Waverley pupil blows whistle on students’ ‘strong culture’ of anti-Semitism

Nazi salutes in corridors, teachers abused for their heritage and abuse hurled at members of the Jewish community— a current Waverley College student has lifted the lid on the “concerning” culture of anti-Semitism inside the exclusive boys’ private school.

A Waverley College student has spoken out about the college. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Students at Waverley College have spoken out about an anti-Semitic culture at the school that has seen abuse hurled at passing members of the Jewish community, Nazi salutes made in corridors and teachers abused for their heritage.

The student also claimed the handling of the expulsion of six Year 9 students over a hazing incident in October this year was being viewed as a “debacle”, both inside and outside the school.

The student - currently at the school and who chose not to be identified - said while there was debate over how the hazing incident had come to be and what was involved, there was no doubt about the anti-Semitic culture by students at Waverley College - which is located in the heart of the eastern suburbs which has a huge Jewish community.

“Waverley (College) has a strong culture of anti-Semitism and it is concerning,” the student said.

“It is not uncommon to hear in the hallways anti-Semitic slurs, while kids performing Nazi salutes is also not uncommon. There have been incidents around the direct area at Waverley with anti-Semitic slurs being said to members of the Jewish community.”

A Waverley College student has spoken out about the culture among students at the prestigious school. Picture: Jeremy Piper

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

The student said phrases such as “f**k the Jews”, “you Jewish sl**” and “I idolise Hitler” had been heard on school grounds.

They said following one incident in 2021 where a passing Jewish family were abused by students over the school fence.

Principal Graham Leddie called a snap whole-school assembly to speak about the behaviour.

Mr Leddie and Waverley College were contacted by The Daily Telegraph with questions regarding issues at the school, including the bullying and claims of anti-semitism.

Addressing the hazing incident, Mr Leddie said: “The behaviour of the students who had their enrolment cancelled in October warranted the consequence of their actions”.

The student who spoke out said he believed one of the biggest issues was the handling of the incident across the school.

The student claimed the handling of the hazing scandal at Waverley College was a ‘debacle’. Gaye Gerard

“This whole incident has been a debacle in the way it happened and how it was handled. Throughout the weeks leading up to the incident there was talk amongst year groups of ‘putting the Year 7’s back in place’,” he said.

“That was going to consist of ‘making an example of one Year 7’. This was going to consist of embarrassing one of the Year 7 troublemakers in front of most of the school.

“There was no plan to physically touch or assault anyone and let alone beat them with a belt.”

In an email to the Waverley College community on Thursday afternoon, Mr Leddie confirmed that the Year 9’s had been “provoked” by the younger students.

Waverley College Principal Graham Leddie claimed the expulsion oif students was warranted. Picture: John Appleyard

But their reaction, he said, was “completely disproportionate”.

“What started as some silly behaviour turned into assault and humiliation type behaviours,” Mr Leddie said.

The parent of one Year 7 boy who was involved in the hazing incident said they raised the issue about Swastikas being drawn on the hands of the victims with the school.

They claimed to have been told by Waverley College that the school had consulted local Jewish groups who told them there was nothing racist about the drawings as the Year 9 boys were only trying to get the younger kids in trouble.

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Darren Bark said he was troubled by this and denied the Nazi symbol was anything other than anti-Semitic.

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Darren Bark said more needed to be done to educate students.

“Nazi symbols, in particular the Nazi swastika, are an internationally recognised symbol of hate that are now illegal in NSW. Sadly, our schoolchildren are not getting the message,” Mr Bark said.

“In recent months, we have seen a culture of Nazi symbols and salutes being performed in public and private schools across NSW. This abhorrent behaviour needs to stop.

“We look forward to meeting with Waverley College and facilitating a visit to the Sydney Jewish Museum for the students involved in these despicable acts.

We commend the NSW Government and Opposition for their strong opposition to faith-based bullying in our schools and will continue working with MPs from both sides.”