Additional shocking materials continue to emerge of the Knox Grammar students’ private group chat, days after it was first revealed to the public.
Overnight, several media sources have obtained and published a short, pixilated footage of a male student making incendiary, racial remarks.
It comes days after NSW police announced they did not find any child abuse material in the group chat, which involved 150 Knox students.
The group chat, which took place on the popular encrypted app Discord, was found to contain a range of antisemitic, misogynist, racist, homophobic and violent comments.
On Friday, NSW police’s commander of the child abuse and sex crimes squad, Det Supt. Jayne Doherty, said the review of the comments made in the chat group found “none … is classified as child abuse material”.
“Again, police will continue to review activity, make inquiries and will work with the school, parents and the eSafety commissioner in relation to any matters that arise,” Det Supt, Jayne Doherty said.
According to some sources, staff at the upper-north shore Sydney private school had known of the chat group since August, but only began enacting penalties when the public were made aware.
Last Wednesday, Knox Headmaster, Scott James sent a letter to parents, informing them of the situation and notifying them that some students had been suspended, while others have left the school.
“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.”
“All students involved have been counselled and have participated in lessons to reiterate the importance of respectful and appropriate behaviour as well as the impact of their choices.”
This is not just about the culture of these elite private schools, this about about the culture of the wealthy privileged class. #knoxgrammar https://t.co/NiLRSwZzMi
— Ms Amanda 🦄 (@MsAltm69) September 2, 2022
“We take no pleasure in the action we have taken, but we believe we have found the right balance between upholding the values of this community and the need for consequences.”
NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell told 2GB last Friday the content of the Discord chat was “appalling” and “vile”.
“It’s just not acceptable,” she said.
“We have to get the message through to young people, especially young men, this is not acceptable. I think all parents have to be aware of what our kids are doing online.”
Darren Bark, the chief executive of NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, told the Herald ,he was concerned about the “systemic and cultural problem” of the rise in anti-semitic behaviour in schools.
“We’ve seen a surge in religious bullying that’s happening of Jewish students, but particularly in the eastern suburbs,” he said.
“It’s obviously devastating to the students, but it has this broad effect on families as well, especially for descendants of Holocaust survivors.”