A renowned private school for girls is under scrutiny after a confidential document labeling students as ‘odd’ and ‘rude’ surfaced, causing an uproar among parents and pupils alike.
Somerville House, situated in South Brisbane, is both a day and boarding institution with annual fees ranging from $23,000 to $30,000.
On Saturday, it came to light that a staff-created spreadsheet from 2021 contained derogatory remarks about Year 7 students.
According to the Courier Mail, some students were described as ‘quirky’, ‘odd’, and ‘disorganised’, with one student reportedly noted as having peers who believe she has head lice.
The comments extended to students’ physical appearances, behaviors, learning disabilities, and academic capabilities. The document also revealed information on medical issues, such as medication use and psychological consultations.
Moreover, the spreadsheet included insights into parents’ personalities and marital statuses.
Somerville House leadership is understood to have apologised to the now-Year 11 girls during a meeting on Thursday.
But parents have since claimed their girls were told to ‘think of the teachers’ and that school leaders expressed ‘disappointment’ the document had been shared.
Parents and education minister Jason Clare (pictured) have criticised the private school for its handling of the incident and for the nature of the comments in the spreadsheet
Teachers at Somerville House in South Brisbane described students as ‘odd’ in a spreadsheet, which also listed their behaviour, health and if they were seeking a psychologist (stock image)
Exams scheduled for Thursday were ‘pushed back one day’ due to the ‘temporary shutdown of school laptops’.
The school emailed parents on Friday explaining that ‘cyber experts’ had been engaged to investigate how students accessed the spreadsheet.
But parents have criticised Somerville House for its handling of the situation, with an anonymous parent telling The Courier Mail the school was trying to save its image.
‘There really hasn’t been any concern towards the students either,’ they said.
‘It is all very uncool and (the children) can really see it for what it is, that the school is scrambling to save their own reputation.’
A second demanded disciplinary action, asking: ‘Has anyone truly turned their mind to the fact that these young girls are so impressionable… where is the care and well being right now for these young ladies?’
‘Yes, teachers have to deal with all sorts of aspects of children’s social wellbeing and academics, we understand… it is the manner in which these teachers wrote these comments. They weren’t professional, they were malicious, catty comments.’
Federal Education Minister Jason Clare accused the school of failing both its students and their parents during a fiery spray on Nine’s Weekend Today on Saturday.
The private school has said it is investigating how the document was leaked to students
‘They’ve failed the students, and they’ve failed the parents of the kids who go to that school,’ he said.
‘Schools have got to collect information, but they’ve got to do it in a secure way, and they’ve also got to do it in a professional way… And I don’t think those things has happened here.’
Principal Dr Sandra Hastie confirmed that an investigation into the incident is underway in a statement.
‘We sincerely apologise for the distress and hurt many within the School community are experiencing,’ she said.
‘We are very disappointed by what has happened, as the nature of some of these comments falls short of our standards and values. As soon as we were made aware of this incident, we worked with external experts to help us investigate what had happened.
‘We are taking this situation very seriously, and student wellbeing is our priority. We have communicated with our school community and made counselling and pastoral care services available to them.
‘We have also opened our Employee Assistance Program to students and families to ensure they have access to support.’
