Students at Knox Grammar in Sydney’s upper north shore were sharing racist, homophobic and violent content on a Discord chatroom.
School staff were aware of the chat for a month but students were only suspended or expelled after it became public knowledge this week.
NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said the content of the Discord chat was “appalling”.
“It’s just not acceptable,” she told 2GB.
“I want to be kept up to date in relation to the investigation that is happening at the school.”
Mitchell described the content of the group chat as “vile”.
“We have to get the message through to young people, especially young men, this is not acceptable,” she said.
“I think all parents have to be aware of what our kids are doing online.”
Some of the content in the group chat expressed a love for Adolf Hitler, disdain for women and doctored images taken during school activities.
“The boys posted inappropriate images and engaged in offensive commentary in an online private chat room,” James wrote.
“The nature of these posts is contrary to the values and culture of Knox and is unacceptable.
“The actions of these 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.”
The content of the group chat was scrutinised by the child abuse and sex crimes squad of the NSW Police.
Knox Grammar is one of Sydney’s most exclusive schools and costs up to $35,000 in fees each year.
