More than 100 students at Loreto Kirribilli were sent home from school on Tuesday after an informal end of year 12 celebration left school property damaged and “placed students and staff at risk”.
In a letter to parents, principal of the top private girls’ school, Nicole Archard, said a large number of senior students were dismissed “due to behaviour that was unsafe and disrespectful”, and that all year 12 classes would be cancelled on Wednesday.
“Collectively, their actions placed students and staff at risk, caused damage to property and disrupted the learning environment,” Archard wrote.
Private girls school Loreto Kirribilli has cancelled all year 12 classes on Wednesday.
Parents described the long-running end of year 12 tradition as a “spontaneous rave” that is usually held in the student common room, but that the event is not officially authorised by the school.
About 130 pupils were sent home, while roughly 20 students who did not participate remained at school. Students have been asked to study at home on Wednesday, Archard said, and will return for a staff appreciation breakfast on Thursday. A graduation ceremony for year 12 students is set to go ahead on Friday.
“Such behaviour is taken very seriously, as it undermines the respectful, safe and caring culture we strive to maintain at Loreto Kirribilli,” Archard said.
Teachers tried to break up the muck-up style event, a source close to the matter said.
The $35,000-a-year independent Catholic school has also told parents it has cancelled an alumni union lunch scheduled to be held with year 12 students this week.
“We ask that you take the opportunity to discuss this incident with your daughter and reinforce the importance of personal responsibility, respect for self and others, and care for our school environment,” she said.
