Head of Prahran High School speaks out on teacher who praised Hamas

The principal of the school has weighed in after complaints about a teacher’s pro-Hamas comments at a rally.

Calls are mounting for Prahran High School teacher Jason Wong to be suspended after he praised the actions of Hamas at a pro-Palestine rally. Picture: 9News

The principal of Prahran High School says he is treating complaints about a teacher who praised Hamas at a pro-Palestine rally with the “utmost seriousness”.

It comes after Jason Wong, who is a VCE science and biology teacher at the school, told a crowd of thousands of protesters in Melbourne’s CBD on Sunday that “Hamas was doing exactly what they have to do”.

In a letter to families, principal Nathan Chisholm said steps were being taken to address the events that are the subject of media reports.

“I am constrained in the details that I am able to provide but I again want to assure you that I am treating this with the utmost seriousness and am working alongside the Department of Education,” Mr Chisholm said.

“You may have seen our school mentioned in recent media coverage relating to protests over the conflict in the Middle East and the view expressed by one of our staff members.

“I want to make it completely clear that the reported comments and actions do not in any way reflect the views of our school.

“Prahran High School is an inclusive school community, and the safety and wellbeing of our students is our highest priority.

“I am proud that I have always, and will always, call out any instances of discrimination at school or in the community. I believe this deeply,” he added.

Mr Wong told a rally: ‘Hamas was doing exactly what they have to do’.

The Herald Sun has been told Jewish teachers and students at Prahran High School have felt “unsafe” amid Mr Wong’s controversial comments and behaviour.

“The school has several Jewish students and teachers and this has been very distressing for them,” one source said.

“He has been wearing a keffiyeh to school and preaching his pro-Palestine views in the classroom.

“His serious actions warrant him to lose his job or be suspended,” they added.

It comes as hundreds of parents urge Education Minister Ben Carroll and Children’s Minister Lizzie Blandthorn to investigate Mr Wong in a petition that’s gained more than 1360 signatures.

The petition calls on the government to “immediately dismiss” the Prahran High School teacher and to “release a public statement” condemning Mr Wong’s actions.

“We the undersigned write to you from a place of alarm, shock and fear,” the petition said.

“Mr Wong has carried out a hate crime, he is inciting hatred and violence. He is unfit to be in a teaching position, imagine how the Jewish students would feel?”

The petition also condemned other teachers who participated in Pro-Palestine rallies and pleaded for the state’s leaders and authorities to take a stance before “more incitement to hatred is carried out”.

“There have been so many Pro-Palestinian rallies in the past 10 weeks and a number of them have been organised by teachers,” the petition said.

“With teachers now coming out with these hateful, violent comments publicly, now is the time to take action against the glorification of terror, against hate speech, hold individuals accountable and punish them.”

Hundreds of parents are urging Education Minister Ben Carroll to investigate Mr Wong in a petition that’s gained more than 1360 signatures. Picture: Getty Images

Several parents commented on the petition expressing their concern and pleaded with teachers to keep politics outside the classroom.

“Teachers should only teach curriculum. If they push their own agenda or views on students that could incite violence or antisemitism. They should be fired,” one parent said.

Another Melbourne parent added: “The government needs to take a clear stand to ensure our schools remain inclusive and safe for all students. There is no place for politics in our schools”.

Senator Sarah Henderson has also written to Mr Carroll saying: “On any measure, this is completely unacceptable conduct, whether it be in the community or in the classroom.”

“Please advise whether this is in breach of the relevant codes of conduct and, if

so, what action is being taken against this teacher by the Victorian Department of Education,” Ms Henderson said.

“The Victorian Institute of Teaching’s Code of Conduct requires teachers to maintain objectivity and prohibits them from displaying bias or preference in their interactions with students,” she added.

Zionist Federation of Australia President Jeremy Leibler said it was “appalling” that a teacher would praise a listed terrorist organisation.

“We rely on teachers to guide our children, but this teacher is abusing his position of influence,” Mr Leibler said.

“We saw in the Brighton case that the court found a dereliction of duty to students, when the principal refused to take action to protect Jewish students at that school.

“Mr Wong should be suspended immediately, pending a review by the department. It is clear that his advocacy for a terrorist organisation is incompatible with his public role and duties.”

It comes as more teachers have been seen wearing keffiyehs in classrooms in recent weeks.

Shadow Minister for Education Jess Wilson said: “The open endorsement of a recognised terrorist organisation by a Victorian schoolteacher should concern every Victorian.”

“Promoting a recognised terrorist organisation has no place in our community, let alone our classrooms,” Ms Wilson said.

Melbourne, Australia - School teacher publicly proclaims:

“Hamas is doing exactly what they have to do”@AEUVictoria@VicGovDE@BenCarrollMP@JacintaAllanMP are you going to allow an individual who seemingly endorses murder, rape, hostage taking & terrorism to teach children? pic.twitter.com/0wilOujciF

— Menachem Vorchheimer (@MenachemV) December 17, 2023

The incident comes as at least 20 educators in the past fortnight shared to social media photos of them wearing Palestinian keffiyehs in classrooms, offices, near school soccer fields and in their home.

The photos were shared in the Facebook group Teachers and School Staff for Palestine – Vic, where teachers were “reminded (they’re) not breaking a code of conduct by wearing a keffiyeh to work” and were described as being “courageous”.

Parents have also told the Herald Sun that students at schools in Melbourne’s north have been allowed to paint pro-Palestine murals in classrooms.

There are reports of students “cornering teachers” asking them if they are “pro-Palestine or pro-Israel”.

Mr Carroll previously condemned educators participating in “solidarity with Palestine” action, labelling it as “inflammatory” and “divisive”.

A Department of Education spokesman said: “Teachers should not use their professional position to make political statements but instead support students to consider and think critically about a range of perspectives on complex issues.”

“The overwhelming majority of principals and school staff continue to do an excellent job – as they have done since the events of October 7 – in supporting their school communities through what continues to be for so many a deeply distressing time,” he said.