Ballarat Grammar has apologised after the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority banned the prestigious school from accepting new boarding students until it proves it can comply with child safety standards.
On Friday evening the VRQA chief executive, Stefanie Veal, announced the regulator had imposed six interim conditions on the regional school’s boarding premises registration while it continued a review.
The conditions included that until the review was complete, Ballarat Grammar would be prohibited from enrolling or accepting new boarders.
Ballarat Grammar has previously announced changes to its school leadership team and stronger boarding supervision after media reports by the ABC and Nine Newspapers alleged a hazing culture at the school’s boarding houses, prompting investigations by police and regulatory agencies.
In June the ABC reported that a dozen families alleged their sons had been subject to physical punishments or groomed by students to become perpetrators at the boarding school over the past three years.
Separately, at least 10 families were engaged in legal action against the school over alleged abuse dating back to the 1970s, according to ABC reports.
On Friday, Veal said that “schools and school boarding premises must ensure children are safe and feel safe.”
As part of the conditions, the school must notify the VRQA of any incident or complaint relating to child safety within 24 hours of becoming aware of a case.
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In a statement on Sunday, the board said it accepted the “seriousness of the findings and the impact on students, families and the wider school community”.
“We recognise that the events this year have not met our school community’s expectations, we unreservedly apologise,” it said.
“The school will continue to undergo a period of transformation as we take sustained action to demonstrate that the school has addressed the VRQA’s findings and, most importantly, that students and families can continue to have full confidence in our commitment to safety, wellbeing, and care.”
Since the allegations emerged, the school has announced new wellbeing leadership roles and boarding parent roles, bolstered staff training and undertaken a cultural review.
About 270 students board at Ballarat Grammar from year 7 to 12, in facilities located on the school’s main campus. In addition to tuition fees, boarding costs range from $12,620 to $23,400 a year.
“The board and leadership take full responsibility for ensuring that all VRQA’s recommendations are addressed in a timely, comprehensive and transparent manner,” the board’s statement said.
“The board has agreed to engage a governance specialist to do a full review and conduct training with all members.”
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