Former Aquinas College student claims to have been physically and sexually abused by multiple staff members in the 1970s

Fresh child abuse allegations have surfaced at another prestigious Gold Coast school, with a former student engaging lawyers over historical claims of physical and sexual abuse involving multiple staff members.

Aquinas College on the Gold Coast

A former Aquinas College student, allegedly the victim of physical and sexual abuse by multiple staff members at the Gold Coast school in the mid-1970s, has engaged a national law firm to act on their behalf.

The former student at the independent Catholic school in Ashmore alleged three staff members were involved in the abuse, with allegations of “excessive corporal punishment” and sexual abuse – including penetrative abuse.

The allegations come just a week after the Bulletin revealed the same law firm is representing a former St Hilda’s School student who alleges she was repeatedly groomed and sexually abused by a female staff member while she boarded at the elite Southport private school in the late 1980s.

Senior associate and head of the Maurice Blackburn’s abuse law practice in Queensland Heather Kerley said the Aquinas case involved serious allegations spanning multiple locations.

“This case relates to allegations of sexual and physical abuse in the mid 70s by three alleged employees of the college at the time,” she said.

She said two male staff members were accused of physical abuse, while two staff members – one of the males and one female, had been accused of sexual abuse.

“It’s alleged that the abuse included physical acts – so excessive corporal punishment beyond the socially accepted standards of the time, but also acts that would never be socially accepted, such as strikes to the face for example,” she said.

“There’s also allegations of sexual abuse by two staff members at the school, including, unfortunately, penetrative abuse.”

Historical allegations of abuse have been made against three employees at Aquinas College in the 1970s. Photo: Supplied

Ms Kerley said in this case, the allegations extended beyond the school grounds.

“The allegations include at least one staff member grooming our client and continuing that abuse beyond the school environment.”

At the time of writing, court proceedings had not yet commenced.

Ms Kerley said the firm was appealing for witnesses, and urged anyone with information to come forward, regardless of how insignificant it might seem.

“We are calling on people who may be former students or staff or parents of the school with information they may have that would be relevant to our investigation, such as any allegations of abuse that may or may not have occurred at the school, but also information about the culture of the school more generally,” she said.

“I really urge people to come forward with whatever information they might have big or small.

“All calls are treated confidentially, but it can be just a small piece of information that can really make or break a survivor’s claim, and we do rely on the public to come forward to help pursue these cases.”

Aquinas College in Ashmore is the oldest coeducational Catholic college on the Gold Coast.

It was founded by the Christian Brothers and officially opened in 1964 as Aquinas Christian Brothers’ College.

It began as a boys’ school before becoming coeducational across all Year 7-12 classes in 1991 – when the school began operating as a Brisbane Catholic Education school.

In response, a Christian Brothers Oceania Province spokesperson said: “The Christian Brothers do not comment on the marketing activities of law firms.”

“We respect the right of any person to bring a civil claim and we act as a model litigant in such proceedings.

“We never comment publicly on any matter that is or may be the subject of litigation.

“We urge any person with any criminal allegation to take that to the police for the appropriate investigation.”