Police swoop on private school


A student has been arrested by police following parental complaints of a ‘sophisticated drug syndicate’ at his school.

The 16-year-old Girton Grammar student was arrested by police on Friday for a number of drug offences.

A spokeswoman for the Victorian Police told The Educator that the student has since been released pending further enquiries. 

“As part of an on-going investigation Bendigo police arrested a 16-year-old boy on Friday 9 September,” the spokeswoman said.

“The Bendigo youth was interviewed in relation to a number of drug offences and was released pending further enquiries.”

The school confirmed on Monday that they were aware the arrest would happen, and that the student has been expelled.

The arrest followed a number of emails from concerned parents to The Herald Sun, describing a “sophisticated drug syndicate” among Year 10 students at the school.

“Students and staff were shocked when police entered the school grounds and arrested a student on or very near to school property,” the email read.

The parents, who made the claims anonymously, added they were “very concerned” that students have been dealing and using drugs at school, including at its events and parties.

“Parent groups are expressing concern at the shocking knowledge that drugs have been easily obtainable on school grounds and at school events and are tremendously concerned that the use of illegal substances puts the safety and well-being of all students, and staff, at risk,” they wrote.

The school’s principal, Matthew Maruff, said he had been “shocked” by the incident and that his school “takes a zero-tolerance stance” when it comes to illegal drugs.

“We have a duty of care to our students to make sure that school is a safe place to be so any illegal activity of any kind at the School is unacceptable,” he said.