00:01Jennifer Gansky sent her son to Ballarat Grammar for a first class education.
00:06His father went there, his grandfather went there.
00:10But last year she pulled him out of boarding at the prestigious regional Victorian private school.
00:15There was cultural challenges within the boarding house and our interaction with the school became quite challenged.
00:24She's one of several Ballarat Grammar parents who've alleged a toxic culture at the school led to a cycle of
00:30abuse between students.
00:33Today, a workplace culture report commissioned by the school's board backed up those claims.
00:38It found there was evidence of historical and entrenched harmful practices including physical punishments and hazing rituals carried out by
00:46older students against younger boarders.
00:49Experiences of racism and discrimination that were not adequately addressed.
00:53And that some parents observed a lack of leadership and transparency from the school.
00:58To read that report and see now right in front of me that there are generations coming forward and saying
01:07that they have experienced this and being brave.
01:09I'm horrified. I imagine many families are.
01:12But the report also highlighted the school's genuine strengths including a deep sense of community.
01:17The report made dozens of recommendations including an overhaul on the way incidents at the school are reported and managed.
01:24In a video message to parents this afternoon, Ballarat Grammar's principal says work for systematic change is already underway.
01:32Some members of our community have felt hurt and excluded during their time at our school.
01:38And for that we unreservedly apologize.
01:43For some past parents, change can't come soon enough.
01:47I'd like to understand where the accountability sits.
01:50From the online distance and mentioned that there may be no limits on its engagement
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