One of Victoria's oldest private schools has commenced an investigation into allegations of bullying after a damning media report.
Ballarat Clarendon College school board chair Mark Patterson last night sent a letter to parents that included a statement from the board in response to a newspaper article.
Published yesterday, the article alleges "a slimy and creepy culture with endemic racism, sexism, and misogyny" at the campus.
The board said an anonymous email was sent to the school on August 16 with complaints concerning "the behaviour of some members of staff".
"The allegations in the letter were largely high level and generally did not provide the level of detail necessary to allow a proper investigation by Clarendon," Mr Patterson wrote.
The school said it responded to the letter two days later, requesting further details about the alleged incidents, including dates, but no response was provided by the anonymous complainant.
School undertaking 'independent investigation'
Following an internal policy procedure review, the board is seeking legal advice and an independent investigator has been engaged to make further inquiries that will be reported to the board.
Worksafe has confirmed it is making inquiries into the matter.
Mr Patterson said the board was "disappointed" in the way the situation was presented by the media report.
He said the board's priority was the health and wellbeing of all members of its community.
"We believe that the governance of the school is both robust and focused on meeting our moral and legal obligations and this will be true in the handling of this situation."
No link to principal's retirement
In the statement included in Mr Patterson's letter, the board confirmed the retirement of principal David Shepherd was not connected to the matter.
Mr Shepherd will leave the school at the end of 2023 after 27 years at the helm.
Ballarat Clarendon College operates in association with the Uniting Church of Australia and was founded in 1864, making it Victoria's fifth oldest private school.
It ranked fourth in the 2021 VCE High School Rankings, with a median VCE study score of 37 out of a maximum 50.
2023 tuition fees for Years 11 and 12 are $21,000.
