Education authority told to monitor Knox Grammar after group chat revelations

NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell has asked the state’s education authority to closely monitor the situation at private school Knox Grammarfollowing revelations students were expelled after posting offensive messages in an online private chat group.

Mitchell said the activities in the chat group,which included inappropriate images posted on messaging app Discord,were “unacceptable and should not be tolerated in any capacity”.

NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell has asked NESA to closely monitor the situation at Knox Grammar after revelations students were expelled after posting offensive messages in an online private chat group.

NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell has asked NESA to closely monitor the situation at Knox Grammar after revelations students were expelled after posting offensive messages in an online private chat group.Rhett Wyman

“I was shocked and appalled to learn of the activities within these chat groups. This is far from the behaviour we expect from students in NSW. I have asked NSW Education Standards Authority to closely monitor the situation at Knox and follow appropriate procedures,” she said.

On Friday,NSW police’s commander of the child abuse and sex crimes Detective Superintendent Jayne Dohertysaid a review of the content found no child abuse material.

“Police will continue to review activity,make inquiries and will work with the school,parents and the eSafety Commissioner in relation to any matters that arise,” she said.

A report published inThe Daily Telegraph this week revealed messages posted on the group included misogynistic,racist and anti-Semitic commentary,and that videos were shared of young men who appear to be being raped.

In a letter to parents on Wednesday,principal Scott James said the school had acted following the incident involving several boys from the senior school.

“The nature of these posts is contrary to the values and culture of Knox and is unacceptable. The action of the boys do not reflect a Knox education or the expectations that we place on our students to be respectful and responsible citizens in the community,” James said.

The kindergarten to year 12 private school,located in Wahroonga on Sydney’s upper north shore,charges fees up to $35,000 and has a boarding school for up to 200 students.

A parent with a son in year 8 and another in year 10 said she thought the issue was with the individuals,not the institution.

“I still have faith in the school. It still has an excellent reputation,” said one mother outside the school gates on Friday afternoon,speaking on the condition of anonymity.

A spokesperson for the NSW Education Standards Authority said an investigation of a school may occur if the authority receives information that raises concern about compliance with the registration requirements.

The authority conducts random inspections of selected schools each year,which may relate to the school’s procedures,including but not limited to student welfare,educational programs and teaching standards.

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Darren Bark said he was “horrified” by reports high school students in Sydney were expressing anti-Semitic sentiments online.

“To glorify and praise an abhorrent figure responsible for the genocide of millions of innocent people is both grossly offensive and unacceptable,” Bark said.

With Billie Eder

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Lucy Carroll is education editor of The Sydney Morning Herald. She was previously a health reporter.

Sally Rawsthorne is a crime reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.

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