Prestigious school denies claims students harassed, intimidated young woman

A union letter to the school claims a group of students harassed and intimidate a young woman, believed to be a member of staff, during a school trip.

A prestigious private school has denied claims its students harassed and intimidated a young woman during a school outing.

The Courier Mail reports a union body and a member of the public alleged students from Toowoomba Grammar School in Queensland made inappropriate comments of a sexual nature to the young woman while they were returning from a school activity.

The woman at the centre of the complaint is reportedly employed by the school, and the alleged incident happened last month.

Want to join the family? Sign up to our Kidspot newsletter for more stories like this. 

However, the school is claiming there are “inaccuracies” in the union’s account of the incident, but would not clarify which specific details were incorrect.

RELATED: School accuses three students of sexual harassment for using wrong pronouns

Toowoomba Grammar School. Picture: The Courier Mail

School denies claims made in letter from union

The Courier Mail reports a letter was sent from the union to the school’s headmaster, Dr John Kinniburgh, on August 25 to address the alleged incident.

“This incident involved alleged intimidation and sexual harassment of a female member of staff by students,” the letter read.

“While we understand that investigations are ongoing and we appreciate the school’s commitment in determining exactly what transpired, this (alleged) incident has also brought to light broader concerns regarding student behaviour which we feel compelled to bring to your attention.

“These include that this (alleged) incident is symptomatic of a more insidious misogynistic attitude among some groups within our student body (and) that this attitude is increasing in occurrence and that these behaviours have become more prevalent.

“Staff believe that the consequences for repeated offending students have been too lenient with too many second chances, which has encouraged the continuation of such behaviour.

“Physical intimidation, verbal harassment and sexual harassment by students against staff has not been limited to this incident and is an ongoing issue that needs to be more seriously addressed.

“There has been a lack of communication to staff about this issue, and how it is being addressed.

“Staff do not expect details, but transparency and open communication that an issue has occurred shows a level of faith in staff professionalism.”

A spokesperson from the school hit back, saying the letter allegedly “contained factual assumptions which are incorrect, possibly because the union representatives have no direct knowledge of the matters”.

The Courier Mail reports the school did respond directly to the union’s letter.

RELATED: 'My husband sexually abused me for 13 years…and I had no idea'

John Kinniburgh is the principal of Toowoomba Grammar School. Picture: The Courier Mail

School's main focus is "safety and wellbeing" of staff and students

Dr Kinniburgh said the school’s highest priority was the safety and wellbeing of its staff and students.

“If the school receives concerns from staff regarding student behaviour all such incidents are taken seriously and investigated in accordance with our policies,” he said.

“When students are alleged not to have complied with our Code of Conduct, TGS focuses on supporting our staff and their wellbeing.

“We always work closely with students and their parents to support their personal development, to make good decisions and to take responsibility for poor choices.”

He said all students at the school participate in personal development programs which included topics on respectful relationships, rights and responsibilities.

“Our pastoral care processes, training and reporting systems are designed to provide a safe and supportive workplace for our staff members and our students,” Dr Kinniburgh said.

“We regularly review and strengthen these processes.”

The school did not comment on whether any students were punished over the alleged incident.

Originally published as Prestigious school denies claims students harassed, intimidated young woman