From the Principal

Dear Members of the Yarra Valley Grammar Community,

The past week has obviously been a difficult one for our community. A number of our students had
been unfairly targeted in a cruel and highly offensive online post which caused great hurt to them and
their families and distress to their friends. I am saddened that the actions of a few individuals can cause
so much harm as social media has the power to amplify the damage that can be done and the anguish
inflicted.

The School has responded to this in a number of ways.

Our first and foremost consideration has been to support and assure the young people who have been
targeted and I am thankful of the work of our Wellbeing Team who are available to offer their expertise
and the informal support of their fellow students who share our concern for them. I am always reminded
of the overwhelming capacity of our students to show kindness to each other especially when it is
needed the most.

Our second concern has been to hold those responsible for the post accountable for their actions. The
investigation of this issue has been complex and time consuming and can’t be rushed and I thank our
students and families for your patience and confidence as we ensured that all the circumstances were
known. As a result of these investigations, yesterday I formed the view that the position of two students
at Yarra has become untenable and as a consequence they will not be returning to the School. Others,
who have played a lesser role in this matter have been subject to further disciplinary action.

Finally, our school community is characterised by respectful relationships most of the time. Clearly
though, more work needs to be done to ensure that everyone feels valued and respected here at school.
Whilst we conduct regular sessions on respectful relationships and model care and respect in all that
we do; this has not been enough. We will be reviewing all of our programmes to ensure that the dignity
of all is respected. This needs to be a learning moment for all of us.

Whilst we need to accept that this has been an issue here at the School, to characterise this as a “Yarra
problem” would be missing the point. Sexism and misogyny are ever present in our society and it is the
responsibility of all of us; families, teachers, the media, workmates and friends to stand up and make it
clear that it is not acceptable anywhere.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Mark Merry

Principal May 7 2024