It’s just been revealed that several Year 8 students at an elite Sydney private school were expelled for carrying drugs.
Apparently, eight boys were asked to leave Trinity Grammar after an incident involving cannabis on the school ground.
In the wake of the news, questions have been raised as to whether private schools – such as the one in question – should have the right to expel students.
NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli MP doesn’t think so, as he made clear in scathing remarks published in Fairfax’s Sydney Morning Herald today.
Arguing that private schools shouldn’t prioritise their reputations over their moral obligation to help students, Mr Piccoli told the SMH:
”Every school has a responsibility to address the behaviour of their students whether it is a $30,000 school or a government school…
Just paying $30,000 doesn’t give you the moral authority to say I don’t want to deal with these kids… these are faith-based schools, and based on the faith I have, shifting the problem to another school is not the answer.”
Mr Piccoli said the community expected any school receiving public funding to ”manage students properly”.
”I think (independent schools) have an obligation to not simply find a student’s behaviour unacceptable and just kick them out and allow it to become another school’s problem,” he said.
Currently, students can be expelled from government schools too but, Mr Piccoli said, that approach is always the last resort following a period of suspension, counselling and extensive discussions with parents.
”Public schools can expel kids and they do, but they can’t just boot them out the door and let it become someone else’s problem,” Mr Piccoli said.
Last year, two students at the prestigious Melbourne private school Marcellin College were expelled after alleged drug trafficking of methamphetamine in the school grounds, while three Year 8 boys agreed to leave the exclusive Cranbrook School in Sydney after a sexual incident involving a 14-year-old girl at “a gathering”.
In 2011, Cranbrook also expelled four 14-year-old boys for drug dealing.
Do you think private schools should be able to expel kids? Or are they shirking their responsibilites by doing so?
Top Comments
They can and do without cause or reason- my 13 yr old has just had her enrolment terminated after 4 yrs without any incident because we are having difficulty with the school implementation of a care plan for our type one diabetic son who was also at the same school since prep - no notice nothing!
In my view, there is nothing wrong being rich and being top 1% income earner in Australia. I am not shameful about it! I didn't steal somebody's money, I didn't cheat anybody, and I have paid all my tax to the government. I grew up in an extremely poor family but my parents sacrificed for my education and that taught me never ending motivation to believe in hard work, grit and integrity. I do send my two children to private schools in Eastern Suburbs. I am happy as a parent I could afford to send them to those school. Where else would I spend my money? Why are people complaining about parents who send their kids to private schools? Come on! Wake up! This is a universal reality whether you like it or not! In this world, there always the haves and the have nots; Many students at my kids school believe in giving back to the community which I also believe in it. To share with others is a beautiful mind. Not to mention about whether you are rich or not! we all have something to learn from each other without criticising.