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 Grammar following 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”.

“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 Doherty said 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 in The 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.