Year 10 students expelled from Emmanuel College after girl rating list emerges

A parent of one of the three boys who was expelled from an elite Gold Coast school after a serious incident involving a “rape list”, says the school “overreacted”.

Emmanuel College in Carrara on the Gold Coast. Photo: Ashleigh Jansen

A parent of one of the three boys who was expelled from an elite Gold Coast school after a serious incident involving a “rape list”, says the school “overreacted”.

On Monday, Emmanuel College principal Daniel Brown emailed parents regarding a “serious incident” that recently occurred at the Carrara institution, which promises “a Christian education of the highest quality”.

However, a parent of one of the expelled trio claimed her son was only involved in an initial list rating girls’ “best bottoms”.

She said he was “mortified” when it escalated into a “rape list”.

“I don’t want people to think we condone any of this behaviour, however it’s been misconstrued.”

An Emmanuel College statement on Tuesday said the school was made aware of “very concerning reports of inappropriate online behaviour involving some of our students”.

“The investigation found some students from the College and at least two other local schools had engaged in online behaviour involving offensive and inappropriate comments about female students.

“As soon as the information came to light, we took immediate action to investigate and address the situation thoroughly.

“We are appalled that a small minority of boys consider it acceptable to view girls in this way.”

Emmanuel College took action against the three students. Picture: Ashleigh Jansen.

Mr Brown in his email to parents confirmed that “after a thorough investigation and careful consideration, a small number of students are no longer enrolled at the college”.

However, the mother said she did not agree with her son’s punishment and that Emmanuel College “overreacted”.

“But because my son had some part in starting the list – the bottoms list, not the serious one – they were all expelled.

“It started as a silly thing – boys were rating girls, girls were on there rating boys. They are all mates.

“He put in a very fighting case at the school,” she said.

“I think the rape list is disgraceful obviously, but I don’t believe my son should have been expelled.”

She added that her son was going to write a written apology to the girls involved.

“Obviously we really do feel terrible for them.”

Mr Brown said the school addressed all year 10 students regarding the matter on Monday.

“They were reminded of the importance of maintaining a safe and respectful environment for everyone,” he said.

“We understand that this news may be concerning, but please be assured that the college has taken the appropriate steps to address this situation.

“We also reiterated the channels of support available to them, including our counselling services and pastoral care team.”

Emmanuel College in Carrara. Picture: Ashleigh Jansen

Mr Brown said in the email it was important for him to maintain transparency with the students and parents.

“It is with a heavy heart I share this news,” he said.

“But it is important for the sake of transparency and the wellbeing of our community.”

An Emmanuel College parent, speaking anonymously, said they’d been “really impressed” with the school’s handling of it.

“They took immediate action and offered so much support for the girls,” the parent said.

“Those boys are not representative of the cohort and we’re proud of the rest of the year level who have called out this behaviour.”

A Queensland Police statement said the Gold Coast Child Protection and Investigation Unit was “aware of this incident and has engaged with the schools concerned”.

“Detectives are currently completing preliminary inquiries. Anyone with information is urged to contact police.”

It comes four months after a 17-year-old Coomera boy was charged after allegedly making an online list ranking Foxwell State Secondary College females, categorising them as “unrapeable” and “abduction material”.

The Bulletin understands the 17-year-old was not a student at the school and no others were being investigated.

He was charged with three counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.

No charges were laid against the three Emmanuel College students.

Emmanuel College. Picture: Ashleigh Jansen

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Originally published as Year 10 students expelled from Emmanuel College after girl rating list emerges