From the Deputy Principal/Head of Senior School

St Gregory’s College aims to be a place which fosters learning and positive social interaction in the context of its commitment to Christian principles. As part of the fulfilment of these objectives, the College takes a very strong stance against all forms of discrimination, bullying, intimidation or harassment. The College will not tolerate behaviours towards others which could be deemed offensive, intimidating, threatening, humiliating or which creates a hostile environment. We take the position that it does not matter that the person behaving in such a manner thinks that such actions were not serious. What matters is the way in which such behaviour could reasonably be expected to impact on an individual or group of students.

The first weeks of the final term of the year have not been a pleasant experience for some boys. Unfortunately, there has been several very serious and totally unacceptable instances of aggressive and targeted physical actions perpetrated by a small number of boys towards their fellow students. In these circumstances, the College reserves the right to involve the police and we also support parents who wish to similarly use this avenue in response to any such actions towards their children, in addition to the actions that are taken by the College.  

In drawing attention to several particularly significant incidents, it is also timely to distinguish between singular acts of aggression, intimidation and violence from more ongoing and repeated behaviours. Bullying is a pattern of repeated physical, verbal, psychological or social aggression that is directed towards a specific student by someone with more power and is intended to cause harm, distress and/or create fear. Bullying may be carried out overtly (face-to-face) or covertly, such as through repeated social exclusion or via technology. It is a sub-category of aggression and is different to, but also related to, harassment and violence. It is not the same as conflict or social dislike even though, in some cases, the outcome of both can be bullying.

Whilst I acknowledge there are a majority of very supportive parents, all members of the community need to know and understand that the College always tries to complete a full and impartial investigation into matters when any situations arise that require the intervention of third parties to address and resolve the issue. In conducting any investigations, we rely on the accounts provided by the victim(s) and the offender(s) along with any reliable witnesses. In forming a view about what occurred, the College relies on the balance of probabilities. In other words, it is more likely than not that someone did or did not do something or some event did or did not occur. We are not subject to the evidentiary rules and processes that will apply in police and court matters. The College expects and requires support from parents for these procedures and processes. 

Unquestionably, every student has a right to come to the College and to be treated with dignity and respect and also feel supported and safe. This is surely what every parent would want for their son or daughter. Equally, for the College employees, they too have a right to be respected, to be able to engage in conversations that are appropriate and professional and be supported if the actions of students or parents cross the boundaries of acceptability. In those instances where parents have concerns about the behaviours or actions of others towards their son or daughter, or where students themselves feel that are not being respected and treated correctly, it is important for the College to know so that we are given an opportunity to intervene and respond. 

At the risk of repetition, the College takes very seriously its obligation to provide both a safe and supportive environment and to respond appropriately where students do not fulfil their obligations towards other students and/or members of the staff. Whilst parents may be consulted about the proposed actions the College seeks to take in response to instances of bullying, intimidation and harassment, we seek parental support for the decisions made by members of staff who have shown due diligence and impartiality in determining any consequences in response to any inappropriate behaviour and conduct displayed by students.

Best wishes,

Mr Paul Brooks

College Deputy Principal / Head of Senior School