‘Insidious’ influence: Parents on cause of porn scandal that rocked elite school

A pornographic social media scandal engulfing an elite southeast Queensland school could have been avoided if the school had done one thing, parents have claimed.

The school has consistently declined to comment on the management of the issue.

A pornographic social media scandal engulfing Good Shepherd Lutheran College could have been avoided if the Noosaville school enforced a ban on phone use in the classroom, parents have claimed.

But a push by parents for a phone ban like what is enforced in state schools had not been addressed by the school, according to correspondence seen by this masthead.

A Noosa Heads boy has been charged with one count of use of carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, and remains at the Noosaville college. No pleas have been entered.

Horrific images of pedophilia and bestiality were shared on Snapchat, and humiliating covert videos of teachers taken by students in class were posted on TikTok, but the material was only taken down after the story broke on June 8.

The Noosaville school’s handbook states mobile phones can be used for urgent and important contact during break times, but that devices should be switched off and kept out of sight at all other times.

But a parent said they felt the school didn’t have a strong enough policy around mobile phones and took a “philosophical and I think inappropriate idea that kids should self-regulate”.

“At that age they can’t, and phones are designed to be as addictive as possible so it’s just a naive standpoint to take,” he said.

The parent said he, along with a group of other parents at the school, strongly believed the root cause of the damaging scandal had been the “insidious” influence of phones in the classroom.

The mother of a student blew open the porn scandal at Good Shepherd Lutheran College, Noosaville, earlier this month. Picture: Patrick Woods

Principal Anthony Dyer has consistently declined to comment on the school’s management of the issue.

The school sent an open letter on June 10 telling parents to book an appointment if they wished to raise the issue.

But parents attempting to discuss a wider phone ban were told by the school just days later, per correspondence seen by this masthead, that there wasn’t time available.

The father said he, and many other frustrated parents, were now looking to move their children out of Good Shepherd Lutheran College Noosaville.

Queensland banned mobile phones and smartwatches in public schools from the start of 2024, bringing the state into line with the rest of the country.

Students can still bring phones to school to contact parents or carers immediately before or after school.

An Education Department spokesman said removing the distraction of mobile devices at school had helped students concentrate on learning, connecting with friends and teachers, while supporting student safety and wellbeing.

“Some principals have also seen reductions of inappropriate online behaviour during school time,” he said.

Good Shepherd Lutheran College did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

Originally published as ‘Insidious’ influence: Parents on cause of porn scandal that rocked elite school