Two Yarra Valley Grammar students expelled over spreadsheet rating their female classmates

Two Yarra Valley Grammar students have been expelled over a cruel spreadsheet rating their female classmates, while former students say it is not the first time female students have been targeted.

Two students from Yarra Valley Grammar have been expelled after creating a cruel and misogynist spreadsheet that ranked their female classmates from “wifey” to “unrapeable”.

The school, which has been in the national spotlight due to the actions of a small group of male students, will tell parents and students on Tuesday morning of the decision.

The expulsions come as a Victoria Police spokeswoman confirmed the incident had been reported to police.

“Investigators will assess the information to determine if it’s a matter for police,” she said.

Principal Mark Merry has been under intense pressure to take action, with a petition from 118 former students calling for the expulsion of those involved.

They had already been suspended.

Dr Merry said the school had been keen to “hold those responsible for the post accountable for their actions” and had been investigating the circumstances of the incident since last week.

Principal Mark Merry labelled the spreadsheet ‘disgraceful’. Picture: Josie Hayden

“The past week has obviously been a difficult one for our community,” he wrote in a letter.

“A number of our students had been unfairly targeted in a cruel and highly offensive online post which caused great hurt to them and their families and distress to their friends.

“I am saddened that the actions of a few individuals can cause so much harm as social media has the power to amplify the damage that can be done and the anguish inflicted.”

The letter also detailed the support offered to the 30 or so female students photographed and tagged in the spreadsheet.

“Our first and foremost consideration has been to support and assure the young people who have been targeted and I am thankful of the work of our wellbeing team who are available to offer their expertise and the informal support of their fellow students who share our concern for them,” he continued.

“I am always reminded of the overwhelming capacity of our students to show kindness to each other especially when it is needed the most.”

He also noted that “more work needs to be done to ensure that everyone feels valued and respected here at school”.

“Whilst we conduct regular sessions on respectful relationships and model care and respect in all that we do; this has not been enough,” he added.

“We will be reviewing all of our programmes to ensure that the dignity of all is respected. This needs to be a learning moment for all of us. Whilst we need to accept that this has been an issue here at the School, to characterise this as ‘Yarra problem’ would be missing the point.

“Sexism and misogyny are ever present in our society and it is the responsibility of all of us; families, teachers, the media, workmates and friends to stand up and make it clear that it is not acceptable anywhere.”

A former Yarra Valley Grammar student organised a petition calling for the expulsion of those involved in the spreadsheet.

A former Yarra Valley Grammar student, who organised the petition, on Monday said she would be “bitterly disappointed” if the school did not take action against the male students involved.

“The list is disgusting … I think very highly of the school and I respect that an investigation is under way, but I do expect a strong response from them,” she said.

“Going to a school like Yarra Valley Grammar is a privilege and that privilege can, and should, be taken away for bad behaviour.

“If you send a message that you suspend these students and make them go into counselling but then they go back into the classroom … it sends a message that these boys’ education is more important than these poor girls involved.”

Another former Yarra Valley Grammar student also told the Herald Sun that male students at the school last year ranked some of their female classmates based on their appearances.

“This is not the first time that female students have been ranked,” she said, adding that teachers were made aware at the time.

“Boys were having conversations last year about girls’ bodies. It was basically the boys ranking … and talking about their bodies.”

She said, in another incident, boys had belittled some girls in a group chat, including by fat-shaming them using “vulgar” language.

The young woman slammed her former school for pretending the recent events had come as a “shock”, rejecting any characterisation that it was a “one-off”.

“That is the culture at Yarra and they’re trying to sweep it under the rug,” she said.

“But that is exactly how it is.”

She backed the calls for the boys to be expelled, calling on the school to hold them to account and to support the female students when they come forward.

“We wouldn’t be here if they weren’t taking each thing with as much seriousness as they should,” she said.

“This is not new. This happens all the time.”

A concerned parent of a current student said it was time the school “reflected” on its behaviour.

“This has been going on for years and years and years,” she said.

“The teachers have been made aware of it before, but it has been brushed under the carpet.”

Former school principal and senior lecturer in educational leadership at Australian Catholic University, Dr Paul Kidson, said it was “simplistic” to think that if Dr Merry expelled the students it would “fix up these young men”.

Professor of education at Deakin University Chris Hickey said a combination of punishment and education would see the most benefit to students.

“You’ve got two levers in your hand – you’ve got to educate and help people understand what’s not acceptable, and then you have the regulatory stick – which needs to be used appropriately,” he said.