Students at the private boys’ school Knox Grammar have been suspended or left the school after posting inappropriate images and making offensive comments in a private online chat room.
In a letter to parents on Wednesday, principal Scott James said the school had acted after an “incident” involving several boys at the middle school.
“The nature of these posts is contrary to Knox’s values and culture and is unacceptable. The boys’ actions do not reflect a Knox education or the expectations we place on our students to be respectful and responsible citizens in the community,” James said.
Knox Grammar said the incident involved several upper school boys. Credit: Rhett Wyman
“The boys posted inappropriate images and engaged in offensive comments in a private online chat room,” he said, noting an investigation into the incident was underway.
“Regarding the images, some were taken during school activities and later doctored, and the school has spoken to all the families of identifiable students. To be very clear, doctored images do not require mandatory notification under child protection requirements, and we have discussed the matter with the police.”
An article published in the Daily Telegraph claims that the messages posted included misogynistic, racist and anti-Semitic comments. He says students at the school created a chat group on the messaging app Discord and shared videos of young men who appeared to be being raped.
Child Abuse and Sexual Offenses Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty said the material provided is being reviewed by specialist detectives.
“Police will continue to review activity, make inquiries and work with the school, parents and the eSafety Commissioner in relation to any matters that arise,” a police spokesman said.