‘Discipline action will follow’: Haileybury students investigated over group chat

A parent has raised the alarm over “disturbing misogyny and sexually explicit discussions” among students at the prestigious school – the second time in the past month a Haileybury group chat has been reported to the police.

Haileybury principal Derek Scott is investigating a group chat involving two students from the school. Picture: Mark Stewart

A second chat group containing “disturbing misogyny” and “sexually explicit discussions” has been confirmed at Haileybury, prompting a new crackdown from the school.

Derek Scott, principal of the state’s largest co-ed private school, confirmed the college is investigating a second online incident.

“We’ve uncovered another conversation that involved two students from Haileybury and another school that was totally inappropriate and we are continuing our investigation and discipline action will follow,” he said.

The Herald Sun has agreed not to report further details out of concern for the safety of those involved.

The contents of the group chat were described as ‘totally inappropriate’.

It comes as another student from a leading private school is on suicide watch following cyber bullying by another pupil, and safety experts say children in year six have been threatening to take their lives due to online abuse.

One parent from Haileybury described the messages, which were shared among students over a six-month period, as containing “disturbing misogyny and sexually explicit discussions”.

“It was really disturbing and SOCIT was involved.”

The parent said it was important to “call this out as misogyny and address the bystander effect that enabled it to occur”.

“No one stood up for the girls until it was reported, although they are being supported now.”

It’s the second major incident at the Keysborough-based multi-campus school, with the Herald Sun revealing that a group of up to 20 boys shared an image showing the sexual abuse of a young girl by an adult male and discussed it using misogynist and racist language.

However, experts say similar incidents are taking place in just about every educational setting.

Mr Scott spoke exclusively to the Herald Sun and said it was important to “identify the rampant misogyny that’s being pushed at our young people online through the influencers and via the algorithms”.

“I am utterly appalled by the unfettered access that we’ve given the tech companies to our young minds which has now reached a peak because of the new algorithm and AI.”

“All of us adults – and I take this responsibility as a principal – have got to stand up.”

Mr Scott said the social media ban for under 16-year-olds was an opportunity to “ramp up what we are doing and ensure everyone is engaged across the whole community”.

“We will be putting in place a full toolkit for our students and families.

“Peers who have had serious consequences from something and learned from it and can share some of that back,” Mr Scott said.

“They are more likely to listen to their peers than they are to us.”

Minister for Education Ben Carroll agreed “misogynistic and disrespectful behaviour is entirely unacceptable in any Victorian school”.

“Our expectations for schools could not be clearer – every school must have measures in place to prevent and respond to harmful student behaviour, including the sharing of explicit content,” he said.

Victoria Police confirmed they received a report in response to the second Haileybury group chat and no criminal offences were detected.

“A local Proactive Policing Unit will engage with the school regarding the incident and will support the students and staff where needed,” a police spokeswoman said.

Jess Wilson, opposition education spokeswoman, said the behaviour was “simply appalling and urgent action must be taken to stamp out the attitudes that drive it”.

“The Allan Labor government must better support school communities to prevent bullying before it occurs and encourage respect between students, staff, families and the broader community.”