The principal of an elite Sydney private school says allegations students killed a goanna while on a cadet camp have been used by the media for "public shaming" and "virtue signalling".
The King's School headmaster Tony George penned a lengthy letter yesterday in response to an incident at The Annual Corps Camp in the Hunter Region.
He signed off the letter with "RIP Varanus varius" — the Latin terminology for lace monitor, or goanna.
NSW Police are investigating reports a reptile was killed by students at the camp in Singleton on the afternoon of March 29.
The school said it also notified the Australian Defence Force, as the camp was held on its land.
Mr George said the public outrage over alleged animal cruelty was "both understandable, and warranted".
"Not only are native animals protected by law, but animal cruelty is a heinous, inhumane act in all its forms."
He said the century-old camp provided the boys an opportunity to develop leadership skills, and many of the 800 who attended returned with stories of "their successes and triumphs".
'The wrongful act does not justify the pillorying'
Mr George said the alleged incident later reported to the school was "complex and complicated".
"The tabloids and virtuous trolls are quick to build a cacophony of public shaming under the clear assumption it is bad people who do bad things.
"The real tragedy is that it is often good people who do bad things."
Mr George continued that "when things go wrong", such as "alleged animal cruelty ... the tabloids ... whip up a frenzy of public shaming and virtue signalling".
"The wrongful act does not justify the pillorying, shaming and vilification of students and their schools by the media or anyone else."
King's School was founded in 1831, and is the oldest independent school in Australia.
It was established to provide the country "with its next generation of leaders, through a community-centred ethos on humility and service", according to its website.
The school charges $41,460 for its senior years, and up to $10,440 more for boarders.
All native birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals — bar the dingo — are protected in New South Wales under biodiversity laws.
NSW Police said they were notified of the incident on April 5.
