Latest news with #AlexSylvan
Sydney Morning Herald
01-05-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Boarding licence under review at private school after abuse scandal
The upmarket regional private school at the centre of a 'strapping' abuse scandal could be forced to close its boarding houses after the state government's education regulator launched an official review of its registration as a residential facility. The Victorian Registration and Quality Authority (VRQA) confirmed on Thursday that it had opened a review of Ballarat Grammar's boarding houses, using its powers under the Education and Training Reform Act, and will determine if a commitment to student safety 'is embedded in their leadership, governance and culture'. Loading The school community has been in turmoil since February when 10 senior boarding students were sent home, accused of the systemic abuse of younger boys at Grammar's Dart House residential facility. Two seniors have been expelled, and another group of boys were removed from Dart House and are being housed in an off-campus property which the school owns in the town, as Ballarat police continue to investigate assaults alleged to have been committed at the boarding house in 2023 and 2024. Numerous men have come forward in the wake of the allegations, recounting stories of brutal hazing and assaults at the hands of their fellow boarders at Ballarat Grammar, going back to the 1950s. This masthead reported on Wednesday that the head of Dart House, Alex Sylvan, had stepped down from the role and would be leaving the school, while his assistant head, A.K.M. Azad, was also leaving his Dart House role but would stay on as a teacher at Grammar. Loading The VRQA began making inquiries in the days after The Age first revealed the allegations against the boys. The VRQA officials travelled from Melbourne to Ballarat in March and spoke to Grammar principal Adam Heath and the chairwoman of the school's board, Sarah Lia, and received additional information.
The Age
01-05-2025
- The Age
Boarding licence under review at private school after abuse scandal
The upmarket regional private school at the centre of a 'strapping' abuse scandal could be forced to close its boarding houses after the state government's education regulator launched an official review of its registration as a residential facility. The Victorian Registration and Quality Authority (VRQA) confirmed on Thursday that it had opened a review of Ballarat Grammar's boarding houses, using its powers under the Education and Training Reform Act, and will determine if a commitment to student safety 'is embedded in their leadership, governance and culture'. Loading The school community has been in turmoil since February when 10 senior boarding students were sent home, accused of the systemic abuse of younger boys at Grammar's Dart House residential facility. Two seniors have been expelled, and another group of boys were removed from Dart House and are being housed in an off-campus property which the school owns in the town, as Ballarat police continue to investigate assaults alleged to have been committed at the boarding house in 2023 and 2024. Numerous men have come forward in the wake of the allegations, recounting stories of brutal hazing and assaults at the hands of their fellow boarders at Ballarat Grammar, going back to the 1950s. This masthead reported on Wednesday that the head of Dart House, Alex Sylvan, had stepped down from the role and would be leaving the school, while his assistant head, A.K.M. Azad, was also leaving his Dart House role but would stay on as a teacher at Grammar. Loading The VRQA began making inquiries in the days after The Age first revealed the allegations against the boys. The VRQA officials travelled from Melbourne to Ballarat in March and spoke to Grammar principal Adam Heath and the chairwoman of the school's board, Sarah Lia, and received additional information.
The Age
30-04-2025
- The Age
Key staff resign from private boarding school after ‘strapping' abuse scandal
Key leaders at a prestigious Victorian private school, rocked by allegations of systematic physical abuse of young students by older schoolmates, have resigned. Staff at Ballarat Grammar were told on Tuesday that the head of the school's Dart House boarding facility, Alex Sylvan, had decided to step down and would not return when term 2 begins next week. The school's leadership praised Sylvan's efforts as head of the house and wished the experienced teacher well. A.K.M. Azad also stepped down as assistant head of Dart House, but will continue to work at the school as an academic mentor to boarders and as a classroom teacher. Loading Parents continue to pressure the school over its response to allegations that at least 10 boarding students had used straps to 'punish' children as young as year 7 level, with at least 12 victims thought to be involved. Two senior students were expelled after an investigation by the school and another group of boys has been moved off-campus – to a house owned by the school in Ballarat – while continuing their studies as day students. Police continue to investigate the alleged assaults, which are said to have occurred in 2023 and 2024, and the state's education regulator, the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority, also says it is making inquiries. Ballarat Grammar headmaster Adam Heath thanked the two departing Dart House leaders on Tuesday.
Sydney Morning Herald
30-04-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Key staff resign from private boarding school after ‘strapping' abuse scandal
Key leaders at a prestigious Victorian private school, rocked by allegations of systematic physical abuse of young students by older schoolmates, have resigned. Staff at Ballarat Grammar were told on Tuesday that the head of the school's Dart House boarding facility, Alex Sylvan, had decided to step down and would not return when term 2 begins next week. The school's leadership praised Sylvan's efforts as head of the house and wished the experienced teacher well. A.K.M. Azad also stepped down as assistant head of Dart House, but will continue to work at the school as an academic mentor to boarders and as a classroom teacher. Loading Parents continue to pressure the school over its response to allegations that at least 10 boarding students had used straps to 'punish' children as young as year 7 level, with at least 12 victims thought to be involved. Two senior students were expelled after an investigation by the school and another group of boys has been moved off-campus – to a house owned by the school in Ballarat – while continuing their studies as day students. Police continue to investigate the alleged assaults, which are said to have occurred in 2023 and 2024, and the state's education regulator, the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority, also says it is making inquiries. Ballarat Grammar headmaster Adam Heath thanked the two departing Dart House leaders on Tuesday.
