Prestigious Melbourne private boys’ school Scotch College disciplines students for assaults

PRESTIGIOUS Melbourne school Scotch College has taken action after violent incidents among students sparked controversy at the boys’ school.

Scotch College has been embroiled in controversy over the violence.

SCOTCH College has taken action after violent incidents among students that have caused controversy at the prestigious boys’ school.

Four Year 8 students were suspended and a Year 12 pupil pulled out of the college before he could be expelled in the wake of separate cases of assault.

The Hawthorn college, where Year 12 fees are $26,148, is one of the state’s most esteemed private schools, with an impressive alumni including Governors-General of Australia, High Court justices, an ex-prime minister and state premiers.

But a Year 8 camp was marred last week after at least one student was attacked by his schoolmates.

The Herald Sun understands four students were suspended for “rough behaviour” during the trip, held at Camp Marysville, north east of Melbourne.

Parents said there was also damage to one of the cabins during the camp.

In a separate incident at the school, a Year 12 student recently punched a fellow student in the face during an altercation.

It is believed he was going to be expelled but was removed from the school by his parents before this could happen.

The Herald Sun was told the student had been provoked by the other pupil involved in the incident but the school declined to comment on both cases.

One parent who did not wish to be named said he was concerned about his son becoming a victim of violence.

“Some of these boys are just feral,” he said.

“There were two groups of bad boys who apparently all went to the one camp together.

“Parents bringing up this kind of behaviour are told it’s a testosterone-filled playground, but violence is becoming a common theme.

“These are supposed to be our future leaders.”

He said parents had also heard of a third incident where a Year 8 student was allegedly set upon

by classmates during a PE class.

Another parent said the stories were circling in the school community.

“The school is keeping it under wraps but the mothers are talking about it,” she said.

In the state system, Education Department figures show 125 students were expelled between 2013-15 for violence, theft or damaging property.

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