Latest news with #AdamHeath
The Age
07-05-2025
- The Age
Alleged private schoolboy abusers return to boarding house
A group of senior students removed from a prestigious regional private school's boarding hall because of the alleged abuse of their younger schoolmates have been allowed to return to the residential facility. Families with children at Ballarat Grammar have been told this week to expect a 'staged re-integration' of the boys, believed to number up to 12, into the school's Dart House boarding block, with at least one family reacting immediately by removing their son from the school. The move to return the boys, who had been staying at an off-campus house the school owns in the town and attending classes as day students, comes after Ballarat Grammar principal Adam Heath apologised last week to the school community for the impact of the scandal, pledging 'zero tolerance' for misconduct. Loading The year 11 and 12 students had been removed from Dart House after allegations surfaced in February of systemic assaults against younger boarders in the house, committed as part of a culture of punishment and hazing. Police were called in to investigate. Two boys have been expelled after an investigation by the school, key staff members have stepped down and the state regulator, the Victorian Quality and Registration Authority, has placed Ballarat Grammar's boarding licence under review. Heath told parents on Monday that Melbourne-based workplace conflict specialists, the Zalt Group, had been hired 'to facilitate a thorough and structured restorative process involving both the students who remained in the boarding house and those who were temporarily accommodated elsewhere'. 'The Zalt Group have advised that the students are ready to return safely and respectfully to their boarding community, and we will begin a supported, staged reintegration of these students back into the boarding house,' Heath wrote. One parent, who asked not to be identified, told The Age that his son had been terrified at the prospect of the return of the seniors to Dart House. The family had decided to take the boy out of Ballarat Grammar altogether for a new school, the parent said.
Sydney Morning Herald
07-05-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Alleged private schoolboy abusers return to boarding house
A group of senior students removed from a prestigious regional private school's boarding hall because of the alleged abuse of their younger schoolmates have been allowed to return to the residential facility. Families with children at Ballarat Grammar have been told this week to expect a 'staged re-integration' of the boys, believed to number up to 12, into the school's Dart House boarding block, with at least one family reacting immediately by removing their son from the school. The move to return the boys, who had been staying at an off-campus house the school owns in the town and attending classes as day students, comes after Ballarat Grammar principal Adam Heath apologised last week to the school community for the impact of the scandal, pledging 'zero tolerance' for misconduct. Loading The year 11 and 12 students had been removed from Dart House after allegations surfaced in February of systemic assaults against younger boarders in the house, committed as part of a culture of punishment and hazing. Police were called in to investigate. Two boys have been expelled after an investigation by the school, key staff members have stepped down and the state regulator, the Victorian Quality and Registration Authority, has placed Ballarat Grammar's boarding licence under review. Heath told parents on Monday that Melbourne-based workplace conflict specialists, the Zalt Group, had been hired 'to facilitate a thorough and structured restorative process involving both the students who remained in the boarding house and those who were temporarily accommodated elsewhere'. 'The Zalt Group have advised that the students are ready to return safely and respectfully to their boarding community, and we will begin a supported, staged reintegration of these students back into the boarding house,' Heath wrote. One parent, who asked not to be identified, told The Age that his son had been terrified at the prospect of the return of the seniors to Dart House. The family had decided to take the boy out of Ballarat Grammar altogether for a new school, the parent said.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Yahoo
Shock ‘strap' claim rocks elite school
A prestigious regional Victorian private school has become engulfed in a scandal following allegations of senior boarding students 'lashing' their junior peers. Ballarat Grammar School has launched an investigation into the alleged assault of boarding students at their campus at Wendouree - a suburb of Ballarat - after the alarm was raised by a parent earlier this month. The Age reports some senior students in one of the school's boarding hoses ran a so-called 'punishment ring' where junior students were 'strapped' or lashed as punishment. Ballarat Grammar headmaster Adam Heath said several senior students had developed a 'perverse sense of justice' and believed they had the 'right' to administer consequences to the younger boys. believing they had the right to 'administer consequences' In a statement, he said the school was taking the allegations 'extremely seriously' and were 'committed to ensuring the wellbeing and safety of every student in our care.' 'We are fully cooperating with the relevant authorities and will continue to provide our full support, if required,' Mr Heath said. Mr Heath said Bradley Fenner, an expert in boys' education and the former headmaster of Auckland's King's College and the Prince Alfred College in Adelaide, had been commissioned to undertake an independent review of what had allegedly occurred. 'He will be working with us to review all of our processes as well as our culture and practices within the boarding environment,' Mr Heath continued in the statement. 'He is providing expert advice on how we're managing this situation so that we have a fair, transparent process of natural justice for all who are involved.' The school did not elaborate on whether any students had been disciplined, suspended or expelled following the allegations. Mr Heath said the investigation and review were ongoing. 'Our priority is to listen to and support those who have been impacted,' he said. 'Following the conclusion of the investigation and review, we will take decisive action and respond accordingly.' The Herald Sun reports Mr Heath first wrote to parents on February 20 where he condemned the alleged acts. 'I want to inform you that I have become aware of certain behaviours in our boarding houses that do not align with the school's values and, if substantiated, would constitute serious misconduct,' he said in a letter to parents. 'As part of this investigation, I am committed to upholding the principles of natural justice, ensuring that all parties are treated fairly while I establish the facts. 'While the investigation is ongoing, I want to reassure our community that, should the allegations be substantiated, decisive action will be taken to ensure accountability.' Ballarat Grammar School is one of the state's most expensive private schools - costing up to $26,040 per year for Year 12 students. Boarding fees for that same year group cost an additional $23,400 on top of tuition fees.
