Anger over move to ban chanting at Melbourne Grammar’s sporting matches

A move to stop Melbourne Grammar’s pro-school chanting at sporting matches has been labelled shameless by some members of the school community.

Melbourne Grammar’s headmaster has assured the school that the school chant hasn’t been cancelled, but is just being rested for a few weeks.

A furore has erupted at the elite Melbourne school over the right of the student “Grammar Army” to chant at sporting matches.

A move to discontinue loud pro-school chanting has been called “shameless” by some members of the school community on a change.org petition signed by more than 800 people.

Headmaster Philip Grutzner said Deputy Headmaster Ben Hanisch met with three school chant leaders, known as “Sudos” last week and told them it was inappropriate to perform the cheer at sporting events “given the possible health risks of a large number of students physically coming together to perform the chant”.

“They understood that this was a temporary measure and that arrangements for the upcoming weeks would be reviewed Covid-19 related restrictions for that period of time were clearer,” Mr Grutzner said.

Melbourne Grammar's Grammar Army chanting at sporting matches was discontinued due to Covid.

“The school chant continues to be an important part of the school’s traditions but, like many other activities, it cannot operate in a manner that presents a risk to the school community, and those beyond.

“Indeed, last Friday the students practised the chant under Covid safe conditions in readiness for future use,” he said.

The petition said the chants are an “old school tradition” and a “vital part of the schools (sic) history”.

“The past two years have been absolutely dreadful for everyone as the students have missed out on so many wonderful opportunities at this school, especially the grammar army which

has essentially been inexistent over the past two years,” the petition reads.

“So, what’s the point of appointing sudos if they can’t even chant? Every other APS school is allowing their “sudos” to lead chants as it brings the boys together and is such a special part of school. These are the memories you look back on in 5,10, 50 years (sic) time where you’ll

be wishing you could do it all over again.

“Therefore, I ask each and every one of you to sign this petition as not being allowed to CHANT at a school event is completely unfair and appalling. We’re not asking for much yet the school is trying to take away such an important part of this schools (sic) history.”

Chanting is part of the ‘old school tradition’, the petition argues.

Melbourne Grammar is well known for its enthusiastic chanting at APS (Associated Public Schools) sporting matches which are played against schools such as Brighton Grammar, Carey Grammar, Geelong Grammar and Haileybury.

The competition also includes St Kevin’s College, whose students were filmed singing a sexist chant on the train in 2019.

Those signing the petition include Kate McIntyre who said the chant is a “tribal and meaningful way the boys can come together”.

She said the scrapping of the chant was “shameful”.

Katrina Calder pointed out that: “100,000 people will be allowed to scream at the MCG but the MGS boys who are RAT testing twice a week can’t chant.

Jane Templeton said the “school soul and spirit will disappear too” if the chant is not reinstated.