Sydney Boys High School
Memorandum Principal to Staff
I have decided to cancel the Year 12 Farewell Assembly. Let me explain why so that you all understand. I would like you to know the reasons for my so doing.
Year 12 were warned, in writing and verbally, about the possible consequences of misbehaviour.
During Tuesday night and Wednesday morning quite a few of them were in Centennial Park, drinking and skylarking. The park rangers reported litter (bottles of assorted kinds mainly) and said that the activities had included a utility being driven above the speed limit with people in the back around the park.
This kind of behaviour can set back our relationship with the Trust considerably. I know this aspect of the school well as it is my job, along with Ross Farrington, to maintain good relations with the Trust. The diplomatic damage from an escapade such as this can be very great indeed. Ross and I get lumbered with the damage control, weeks and even months after this lot have left school. It is far from funny. It all shows up in Trust incident records etc and can be used against the school. I have also recently authorised the expenditure of $4000 on McKay to get it right for the summer season. I do not appreciate drunken fools wandering around new top dressing etc.
Yesterday boys were egged at Central Station. Some had to have changes of clothing at school.
A girl from SGHS was struck near the eye by an egg thrown by one of our boys. She was taken away for medical examination. Another girl had a large bruise on her leg caused by a water-filled balloon. It was only because we set up a perimeter and kept the boys off school premises that more such incidents did not occur. The boys had both eggs and water filled balloons on them. They planned to use them.
Some boys did run through the Girls School and throw objects. Fortunately, only a few braved the perimeter. One was caught by the Principal, SGHS. Others were identified.
The DP estimates that perhaps 70 boys were involved, to a greater or lesser degree, in doing unacceptable things or being accessories to unacceptable things.
I would estimate that 20 hours of executive time were expended yesterday on things related to the so-called 'muck up' attempts. I personally put in 3 hours, as did the DP. I will need to return for half a day next week in order to play catch up. Why? Only because of Year 12.
The bogus 'Daily Bull' that they issued contained items that one would have preferred to be omitted. Cheap shots at staff members are not on, as I have said to every Year 12 since 1992.1 particularly resent the reference to a past casual relief teacher whose name has been recently in the press. That reference by Year 12 was highly distasteful and identified the school with a process that I abhor. That bogus sheet was written, printed and distributed without reference to the school. It just turned up. Retrieving it was impossible.
I would personally find it very difficult to say honeyed words to Year 12 at an assembly, knowing that up to 70 had been party to unacceptable, ill-advised things. There is, moreover, the need to give a message to Year 11... and Year 10.
Year 12 were warned. They did not heed the warning. They will lose the farewell assembly. They came within an ace of having their luncheon food donated to Matthew Talbot Hostel. That could still happen.
I do understand the argument about penalising the good etc. I feel for them. I feel for the people, staff included, who had worked towards organising the assembly. The lads, however, also need to understand that there are things that good people can do to minimise or eliminate silly behaviour, instead of just sitting back and waiting for 'the authorities' to do something. Interestingly it was 'good guys' who were sent over as negotiators but all too late.
There were eggs surrendered yesterday, but only after it became apparent that SGHS/SBHS meant business. And there were water filled balloons tossed across Cleveland Street.
Some of these characters had the hide to want me to write a Principal's comment on university applications, due yesterday, which they brought in yesterday. Some message in that!
So there you are. C'est la vie.
Incidentally, a car 'parade' along Cleveland Street by SGHS very nearly caused 2 accidents. One young female charmer yelled 'F*** you!' from one of the cars.
Principal