More than two dozen former Carey Baptist Grammar School staff have been accused of molesting students on campus, at camps and in teachers’ cars over three decades.
The Age early this year revealed that three survivors of alleged abuse had come forward with historical claims against three male teachers at the co-educational private school in Melbourne’s east.
More former students of Carey Baptist Grammar School have come forward claiming teachers abused them.Credit: Joe Armao
Now more than 30 people have come forward alleging physical and sexual abuse at the school from the 1960s to the 1990s, according to law firm Judy Courtin Legal.
The firm confirmed 32 ex-pupils had contacted it about alleged abuse at the school, accusing 26 staff members – but not all have decided to take action.
The alleged abuse took place at the school, in teachers’ cars, on school-run camps and during “unsupervised tutoring” both on and off premises, according to complaints.
The firm is representing four former pupils who claim they were subjected to sexual abuse, grooming or serious physical assaults by former Carey staff. It said it was also in contact with two others considering taking action.
One legal proceeding filed this year involves one teacher and another male associated with the school and is expected to go to trial in August 2025, according to the firm.
An ex-student who is suing the school said the legal process added to the pain and trauma of survivors.
“Sadly, this protracted legal process only adds to the pain and trauma caused, not only by the actual abuse but also now through the legal process by the institution that let us down so gravely in the first place,” she told The Age.
Carey Baptist Grammar principal Jonathan Walter said that when allegations of historical abuse were raised, the school reached out to the school community and encouraged those affected to contact the institution directly.
“The school has heard from a number of past students in relation to these matters and we are working to support all individuals who have approached us,” he said in a statement to The Age.
“I have personally met with past students and heard their stories and experiences.”
Walter said the school reported all relevant matters to police and other reporting bodies.
The law firm said at least three people had made complaints to police about what they experienced at the school.
Principal lawyer Judy Courtin said she was not surprised by the high number of former Carey students contacting the firm.
“That the reported experiences range over more than 30 years is troubling,” she said.
“This reflects the great difficulty sexually abused children have in disclosing the abuse.”
Others who came forward to the law firm said children at the exclusive institution were told to strip and forced to walk naked through the showers while a teacher watched on.
One woman who contacted the firm said more than one teacher abused her. Her lawyer said perpetrators were good at knowing how to silence their young victims.
“Survivors though are very courageous people, and they are realising that by speaking up, they are reclaiming that power that was stolen from them as a child,” Courtin said.
Carey Baptist Grammar is one of the state’s most expensive schools, with fees for years 11 and 12 set at $40,824 in 2025.
The exclusive school – which has campuses in Kew and Donvale and sports grounds in Bulleen – has more than 2000 students and was founded in 1923.
In 2023, Carey was ranked 93rd for its VCE results, with 11.2 per cent of VCE students at the school recording study scores of 40 or over and a median VCE study score of 33.
Walter said he would listen to and assist former students on whatever “pathway they decide to take”.
“Carey places the safety of students today, and those of our past, as our number one priority,” he said.
If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
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