An ABC Four Corners investigation has revealed a “toxic” culture and inappropriate treatment of female teachers and staff members at Cranbrook, an elite Sydney all-boys school.
Led by journalist Louise Milligan, the investigation found former female staff members at Cranbrook in Sydney’s eastern suburbs have been blackmailed, harassed, wolf-whistled and more by male students. Some complaints by staff were also dismissed by male colleagues and superiors.
A statement from the Cranbrook school council said it has “considered in detail the matters raised by the ABC and remains fully supportive of the headmaster and the school’s leadership”.
The statement also said the school takes “all allegations of abuse, and its duty of care to its students, extremely seriously” and the school has and intends to follow “relevant and mandatory reporting processes” in relation to the allegations broadcast by the ABC.
“We acknowledge survivors and their stories,” the school council said.
Chanel Contos, founder and CEO of Teach Us Consent and author of Consent Laid Bare, released a statement on Instagram last night on the Four Corners episode, pointing to a women problem not just at Cranbrook, but in all Australian private schools.
“I’ve heard of multiple schools where a teacher is sent on to another with a letter of recommendation in order to avoid a PR disaster (both girls and boys schools),” she wrote.
“Cranbrook got spotlighted tonight – but it would be ignorant to think that this is just a Cranbrook problem, dismissing sexual harassment and assault happens far and wide.”
Louise Milligan from ABC’s Four Corners said she, the ABC, the people interviewed in the program and others involved in the matters but not included in the program, have faced at least seven legal threats in relation to the report.
“I am in my eighth year at Four Corners. This is a record, by a long shot,” she wrote on Instagram.
Milligan indicated the report was “public interest journalism” against the “power and influence in Australia’s wealthiest enclave”.
What’s the story?
Cranbrook, located in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, overlooking Sydney Harbour, is an all-boys elite private school. The college is preparing to go coeducational by 2026, less than two years away.
However, the ABC’s Four Corners report revealed damning allegations that the 105-year-old school has a problem with women.
In October last year, former Cranbrook mathematics teacher Jasmin Hyde took her complaints to the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC). According to the ABC, she told the AHRC that Cranbrook “did not have a safe, inclusive and supportive culture” for women at the school.
Hyde alleged a former student attempted to blackmail her in June 2020, threatening to accuse her of sexual abuse if she did not send him nude pictures. As the AHRC heard, the student apologised in a letter to Hyde.
The former Cranbrook teacher had faced a range of other incidents perpetrated by students, with one announcing to the class that Hyde “was a witch that deserved to be harassed”.
According to the Four Corners report, Cranbrook’s headmaster Nicholas Sampson and his deputy Bob Meakin invited Hyde to a cafe in Rose Bay to discuss her allegations to the AHRC.
At the time, Meakin allegedly told Hyde it wasn’t surprising that she “received attention from the boys” because she was “young” and “attractive”. In a statement to the ABC, the school said Meakin never intended to offend and “is sorry if (he) has done so”.
Several other complaints have been made over the years at Cranbrook, the ABC uncovered. A handful are detailed in a PowerPoint slideshow created in 2020 for a seminar for the school’s students. It was created to help the boys at Cranbrook understand “respectful relationships” between staff and students.
The anecdotes from female staff members included one recollecting hearing boys making orgasm noises while she walked past on playground duty.
Another said they knew of boys gifting fluffy handcuffs as a parting year 12 gift to a teacher. The teacher said it was “not the first time” fluffy handcuffs were given.
Another former Cranbrook teacher, Fiona Richards, told Four Corners of how she was treated poorly by senior male colleagues at the school.
She alleged she was subject to workplace bullying in the form of facing “unreasonable criticism”, “unreasonable scrutiny” and being marginalised from “decision-making discussions”. Her experience made her so stressed she sought medical assistance, with her doctor advising her not to work.
Claiming workers’ compensation, the school did not accept her claim and conducted its own investigation into her experience, despite the insurer upholding Richards’ claim.
In a statement to the ABC, Cranbrook said the school could not comment on her case, rejecting any allegation the case was handled inappropriately.
You can read the ABC’s Four Corners investigation here.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via 1800RESPECT.org.au or text 0458 737 732.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit www.ntv.org.au.
Feeling worried or no good? No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. Speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
In an emergency, call 000.