By Sumeyya Ilanbey and Tom Cowie
The prestigious St Kevin's College is investigating an incident involving students on a packed Melbourne tram, which the school's headmaster has described as offensive and misogynistic behaviour.
The boys from years 10 and 11 were on their way to an athletics carnival in their school uniforms on Saturday when they started a chant on a tram.
Lyrics from the call-and-answer chant include: "I wish that all the ladies / Were holes in the road / If I was a dump truck / I'd fill them with my load."
In a letter to parents, headmaster Stephen Russell said he would not let the matter lie and vowed to not let the sexist behaviour go unchallenged.
"To say I am upset, frustrated and angry would be fair," Mr Russell said.
"As a husband, a father of daughters, a brother of four sisters, a son, and I hope, a good friend and decent colleague to many women, I know this behaviour cannot go unchallenged.
"We commenced our investigation into this offensive and misogynistic behaviour yesterday morning and we are well under way to understanding the extent of the behaviour and the boys involved.
"We have programs specifically designed to teach and shape our boys' behaviour and attitudes about respectful relationships. The college and families need to continue to work together to expand on and improve our work in this area."
The school is trying to resolve the incident while ensuring Year 12 students can begin their valedictory celebrations "with dignity", Mr Russell said in the letter.
Footage of the chant was provided to the ABC by "Melanie", who said she felt violated, disgusted and upset.
She said the tram was packed with people, including an elderly woman, a girl aged about seven, and young women in their 20s.
"They just took over the tram – it was a mass of boys, tall, strong, very loud. And that boisterousness was one thing, but it was the whole attitude," Melanie said.
"You felt there was no respect for women, you felt you couldn't say anything and if you did, you were concerned about what would happen next."
In a statement to media on Monday, Mr Russell said he apologised unreservedly on behalf of the students and confirmed they had initiated the chant.
"Students upset by the behaviour have already come to me and we have been following through in both a disciplinary and pastoral manner [on Monday]," he said.
"We have always and will continue to challenge such poor behaviour and misogynistic attitudes through programs at school and with the cooperation of parents.
The song has previously caused a fallout at the elite Philip Baxter College at the University of NSW.
In 2016, a bus of male college students were recorded taking part in the same chant.
The chant originated in the military as one of many marching songs, which are also called "cadences". It pre-dates the early 1980s, when a book included it in a collection of military chants.
A 2015 study of gendered violence at the US Air Force Academy noted that the chant had been banned but that many cadets still sang it when out of earshot of officials.
Our Watch chief executive Patty Kinnersly said it was important that offensive and sexist language was called out.
"Words matter," she said.
"As long as women and girls are seen as less equal than men and boys, disrespect and violence against women will continue.
"The research evidence tells us that disrespect towards women and male peer relations that emphasise aggression are key drivers of violence against women."