St Catherine’s School principal Natalie Charles to meet with parents to discuss concerns over the rowing program

Parents at St Catherine’s School in Toorak have spoken of their “profound concern” over the rowing program after claims of bullying, favouritism and extreme pressure.

St Catherine's has long been regarded as the best girls’ rowing school in the state.

Parents claim the rowing program at a leading private girls’ school has a “toxic” culture marked by favouritism, ­extreme pressure, bullying and mental health issues.

An external review last year highlighted many of these problems at St Catherine’s School, Toorak, which has long been regarded as the best girls’ rowing school in the state.

New principal Natalie Charles is meeting parents this week to discuss claims such as the lack of transparency in the selection of the first eight crews, the prioritisation of elite rowers at the expense of others and the “win-at-all-costs” mentality that is damaging to the female students.

Victoria’s rowing schools are promoting a renewed ­emphasis on wellbeing in light of the sudden death of Melbourne Grammar rower Ed Millear at training last week.

Melbourne Grammar School student Ed Millear died after collapsing at rowing training.

One source speaking for a group of private school parents said they felt “profound concern regarding the mental wellbeing and duty of care within the rowing programs at independent girls’ private schools, specifically at St Catherine’s School”.

“For several years, students in St Catherine’s rowing program have been subjected to excessive physical and mental pressure in the pursuit of excellence, often at the expense of their overall wellbeing,” they told the Herald Sun.

The parent said the pressure to succeed could create a toxic environment, wherein poor behaviour was normalised. Those who are part of the first crew are often treated as elite, while others, striving to reach these levels, are subjected to extreme pressure in the hopes of being acknowledged and “special”.

One St Catherine's parent said the pressure to succeed could create a toxic environment.

“The impact on students has been troubling, as many are pushed to the point of burnout and anxiety, with significant tolls on both their mental and physical health,” they said.

The external review of the rowing program last year had an emphasis on the mental and physical wellbeing of students, but the full findings have not been released.

Parents believe Ms Charles will be sympathetic and usher in a new era at a school that has long billed itself as “No.1” for sport and academics. Ms Charles declined to comment.

A rowing source said St Catherine’s School was still viewed as “top of the top” of schoolgirl rowers.

“The intensity and the amount of training is a lot more than other schools because they have to be the best,” she said.

“It would take a toll and the girls are under a lot of pressure to uphold the winning streaks”.

St Catherine’s hit international headlines with its 2022 win of the Prince Philip Challenge Trophy in England at the Henley Royal Regatta.

However, last year it was beaten at the pinnacle event Head of Schoolgirls Regatta by Loreto College, Toorak.

The rowing club has a dedicated fundraising arm, the Heyington Club. A current online fundraiser boasts of the school’s rowing prowess, noting its “legacy of excellence”.