Sacred Heart in Geelong hit with shocking racism and bullying allegations

A “distraught” Sacred Heart College student has accused peers and staff of racially motivated bullying, including stroking her braids “like a dog” and asking if her family has Ebola.

Sacred Heart College in Geelong school has been hit with shocking racism claims. Picture: Facebook

A year 10 student who attends a top Geelong Catholic school has accused classmates and staff of making racial comments and derogatory remarks.

The 15-year-old Sudanese and Cameroonian pupil, who attends Sacred Heart College, said she had been left “distraught” after her classmates and staff had taunted her about her appearance and made several offensive comments towards her.

When the student, who wears her hair in braids, was in year 7, a group of girls bullied her by dropping a loose hair braid off a balcony on top of her head.

The student said she reported the incident to the school but no action was taken, leaving her with the “worst social anxiety”.

In another incident, the student said a teacher would “touch my hair in class like I was a dog”.

Other incidents included teachers getting two black students mixed up.

The pupil said teachers asked her and other Congolese students about whether they ate “normal food at home” and “used cutlery”.

She said one teacher asked another Congolese student: “Do you and your family have Ebola?”.

In a recent incident this month, the student said that teachers failed to protect her and other students from bullying by other girls, including being told they couldn’t sit at a certain table in a class because of “territorial issues”.

“When I told the teacher the seating arrangements were racially motivated, she said ‘don't pull that card,” the student said.

The pupil said she had been left “distraught” and “humiliated” by the bullying and lack of action from the school.

“I want the treatment I’ve received at Sacred Heart College over the years to be exposed,” she said.

“They preach virtus vera nobilitas, which means virtue is true nobility, yet nothing about this school represents high moral standards.

“The behaviour exhibited has proven not one of these teachers to be noble individuals.”

The student’s revelations come as a 2022 report by the Ubuntu Project, an organisation that provides support and mentors to multicultural youth in Victoria, found racism is rife in Victorian schools.

The survey of 100 students of African descent found ninety-five per cent of girls and 78 per cent of boys said they had been discriminated against because of their race, ethnicity or religion.

It also found many teachers ignore most African students’ reports of discrimination, with 70 per cent of students saying they did not trust their teachers to address racism.

In June 2023, the principal of Highview College in Maryborough resigned after being accused of racial discrimination after the school “unenrolled” two African students over their hair braids.

Sacred Heart College Geelong principal Anna Negro said the school holds the dignity, safety, and wellbeing of young people as a “central and fundamental responsibility”.

“As a community, we strive to live out the Mercy values of compassion, justice, and respect for all,” Ms Negro said.

“The college has a dedicated Inclusion and Diversity program that welcomes students from all faiths and cultures.

“Any allegation of behaviour by a student or staff member which contravenes our values, including racist or bullying behaviour, is taken extremely seriously, thoroughly investigated, and appropriate action taken.”