What you said about Kylie Lang column claiming elite schools ignoring problems

The growing number of scandals at Queensland private schools adds to a sad legacy. HAVE YOUR SAY

Poor behaviour by students at Brisbane Boys College has been exposed in recent times. Picture: Facebook

Does Queensland have a problem with its “elite” schools? Or are the issues just as wide at public schools?

Maybe the parents are to blame? Or is it the education system?

Those questions, and more, have been raised as columnist Kylie Lang argued the state’s private schools can be a protected species when to comes to scandals.

“If you’ve allowed your school to define you – and cause you to ignore or dismiss issues that might taint its public image – try stopping. Immovable pride – in any institution just because you’re part of it – is a dangerous thing,” she wrote.

“All too often, ‘old boys’ and ‘old girls’ of private schools, most notably, will feel aggrieved and personally attacked when an alarming issue makes headlines.

Nudgee College in Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

“It’s as if their own identity has been targeted and found wanting – and it can explain why they close ranks and, like a scene out of the film A Few Good Men, “can’t handle the truth”.

“For some people in these tight-knit fan clubs, such as alumni associations, the first instinct is to ask who blabbed.”

The debate was reignited as elite schools become embroiled in more scandals.

Brisbane Boys’ College boys shared allegedly serious and potentially illegal nude content on social media, weeks after trashing an Airbnb house during an out-of-control party. Both sparked police investigations.

Last week a “disgusting” video was made and shared on social media by St Joseph’s Nudgee College boys about St Rita’s girls.

Meanwhile furious parents of Good Shepherd Lutheran College in Noosaville embroiled in a pornographic social media scandal have demanded a full and independent investigation by its governing body into why it took months to report the potentially illegal content to police.

The growing number of scandals sparked a war of words among readers.

In an online poll more than 45 per cent voted that social media is the blame for the growing number of incidents, while some said there is simply more reporting going on now.

Some claimed there are wider issues for schools than in the past; others said parents need to step up.

Others, though, took aim at the “old boys clubs”, while some suggested public schools are just as guilty.

See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>

The biggest scandals at Queensland’s elite private schools

WHAT YOU SAID

I support ‘elite’ schools

Noeleen

I have educated 4 of my children at Kenmore State High. They produced a PhD in neuroscience, a PhD in phamacology and one solicitor. In my recond incarnation I was able to educate my step-child at St Joseph, Terrace. he gained a PhD in psychology. What was the difference between the two? The state school spat them out and forgot them. Terrace saw them as those who should be honoured and remembered.

Andrewx

I went to Brisbane private school graduated 40+ years ago. I have 2 or 3 friends from school days. It doesn’t define me.

Ex Brisbane Bloke

As someone who grew up in Brisbane and attended one of these mentioned “elite” schools whilst building a career globally (I’m hardly known in my respective field locally), I must say this – outside of Brisbane and globally, nobody cares what school you went to!

Hoppy

Unfortunately poor behaviour occurs in both public and private schools.

Christopher

As a parent of teenage children, and a teenager once myself, I know that kids do stupid and impulsive things. Are things getting worse? Are kids more stupid or impulsive these days? No.

Nudgee College in Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

There are wider issues

Alex

Arming kids with smart phones and devices- what did you expect?

Maxwell

Surely the prime responsibility rests with parents. Teach your kids early and well.

Pending……..

Stop giving your young teens smartphones.

easy as that. If I have to hear one more parent complain about damage social media and tech does, whilst they themselves have provided their teen with a smart phone- I’m going to scream. Parent your children!

Puzzled

Education spending increases every single year.

The problem is the bureaucracy spending it on growing the bureaucracy instead of educating children.

Keith

All schools have issues about having to deal with societal expectations and declining support. As someone who worked in education for over 45 years and still works in a number of secondary schools ( both state and private) I agree that the vast majority of students are great young people trying their best in an increasingly difficult world and deserve better from us all. Stop complaining and comparing state versus non state and support them all.

Michael

A lot of talk about the schools and students, nothing about the parents! You’re missed the main story – it all starts at home.

Brent

Schools are also picking up on too many political agendas ie schools now celebrating pride month? Since when does pride month celebrations have a place in p-12 schools?

Michael

Only one question- where are the parents??

Good Shepherd Lutheran College at Noosaville

Public schools are worse

David T

Scandals at “elite schools”, standard operations at state schools ;-)

Shell

This is not just an issue within private schools.

RogerJ

Same applies to state schools.

Bundy Boy

Whatever is happening in private schools is x 10 worse in the state schools, with way more abuse and violence.

Originally published as What you said about Kylie Lang column claiming elite schools ignoring problems