Scots College students cause havoc on ‘unsanctioned muck-up day’

Multiple students at Sydney’s prestigious college will be suspended over behaviour on “unsanctioned muck-up day”.

Scots College in Bellevue Hill, Sydney. Picture: Damian Shaw

Multiple Year 12 students at Sydney’s prestigious Scots College will be suspended and 22 prefects have “resigned” after a large portion of their cohort caused havoc in local streets and the school grounds last Friday.

Principal Ian Lambert. Picture: Renee Nowytarger

Principal Ian Lambert has today issued a letter to the school community and alumni about the incident, which he described as “an unsanctioned muck-up day” involving behaviour that was “unacceptable, inappropriate and inconsiderate”.

It is understood a group of Year 12 students skipped school and instead gathered at a local park before descending on the school campus where they overturned portable seating and threw watermelon, flour and eggs at buildings.

Up to 110 students were thought to have been involved at the height of the incident.

Mr Lambert said 22 of the school leadership team had expressed their remorse over the incident and consequently “handed in their ties”.

Tuition at the Bellevue Hill boys college costs $34,900 a year, and the school is one of Australia’s most prestigious and expensive schools.

Mr Lambert said as punishment for the actions of the group various end-of-school events including the final assembly and paint-balling excursion had been cancelled.

“The integrity of the boys who took part has taken a serious blow,” said Mr Lambert.

“Even though they had decided to absent themselves from school on Friday, their actions are not independent of the College and are a reflection on their individual character as well as the character of the College. I will not allow these actions to set a precedent or tarnish the reputation of the boys, past and future, who have and will, proudly call themselves Scots Old Boys.”

Mr Lambert also corrected various media reports, saying the college was not forced into lockdown, nor were any students “cowering in fear” as previously reported.

Mr Lambert clarified that students who receive suspensions will be able to sit their HSC exams at the school, but they will not be allowed to attend any school end-of-year functions.