Two school boys expelled after creating ‘disgraceful’ ranking of female students

“I am saddened that the actions of a few individuals can cause so much harm, as social media has the power to amplify the damage that can be done and the anguish inflicted.” 

Two Year 11 boys are to be expelled from their prestigious Melbourne school for an “absolutely outrageous” ranking of their female classmates.

A handful of male Year 11 students from the prestigious Yarra Valley Grammar School in Melbourne were accused of releasing a sexist and misogynist list of female classmates.

Thirty girls were photographed and ranked on a tier list from top to bottom, using highly offensive and inappropriate language to describe the female students. 

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Yarra Valley Grammar School has been under fire after some male Year 11 students shared a tier list ranking several female students. Picture: Google Maps

Students expelled after ranking female students on spreadsheet

The names of the tiers included: “wifeys”, “cuties”, “mid”, “object”, “get out”, and “unrapable.” 

The news of the ranking, which was first reported to the school on Wednesday, has sparked outrage from the public, urging for serious consequences for those involved.  

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan called the list “disgraceful”, adding she was “utterly devastated” when she first heard about the ranking. 

“My thoughts today are with the young women and young men they go to school with who are devastated by this news,” she told reporters. 

“To think they are sitting in a classroom with classmates who hold these views and write them down, this is no joke.” 

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Following the release of the tier list, Yarra Valley Grammar suspended two students involved and offered assistance for the girls featured on the ranking spreadsheet. 

However, there were calls for the students involved to face further consequences following the “disgraceful” list, and following a petition signed by 118 former students at the school, the principal has been pressured to take further action against the boys involved.

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Dr Murray said the tier list was "cruel and highly offensive." Picture: Josie Hayden

“This needs to be a learning moment for all of us”

On Tuesday morning, Dr Murray confirmed two of the boys involved in the ranking were expelled, in a letter sent out to parents and former students.

“The past week has obviously been a difficult one for our community,” Principal Mark Merry said, per The Herald Sun. 

“A number of our students had been unfairly targeted in a cruel and highly offensive online post which caused great hurt to them and their families and distress to their friends. 

“I am saddened that the actions of a few individuals can cause so much harm, as social media has the power to amplify the damage that can be done and the anguish inflicted.

“Our first and foremost consideration has been to support and assure the young people who have been targeted and I am thankful of the work of our Wellbeing Team who are available to offer their expertise and the informal support of their fellow students who share our concern for them. 

“I am always reminded of the overwhelming capacity of our students to show kindness to each other, especially when it is needed the most."

The principal acknowledged that while Yarra Valley Grammar “conduct regular sessions on respectful relationships and model care and respect in all that we do”, he understands that it “has not been enough.”

“We will be reviewing all of our programmes to ensure that the dignity of all is respected,” he said. “This needs to be a learning moment for all of us.” 

He also pointed out that labelling the issue as a “Yarra problem” is a misguided perception.

“Sexism and misogyny are ever present in our society and it is the responsibility of all of us; families, teachers, the media, workmates and friends, to stand up and make it clear that it is not acceptable anywhere.”

Originally published as Two school boys expelled after creating ‘disgraceful’ ranking of female students