St Stanislaus’ College has been tested over the past year as allegations of sexual abuse in decades past continue to plague the school.
Headmaster John Edwards said despite the challenges faced by students and staff over the past 12 months, the school community will steadfastly hold to what they believe is right.
He said it was very sad whenever any allegations are presented regarding the mistreatment of children, and the school has co-operated fully with Strike Force Belle regarding the accusations which date back to the mid-1960s.
Mr Edwards said the events of the past year have truly tested the Vincentian order with petitions and calls for priests to be removed from schools.
“As my employer they have never given me anything but the clearest instructions to assist the police to have these matters resolved,” he said.
Mr Edwards said if wrongs have been done in the past it is important they are addressed appropriately in due process.
“We do not wish in any way to impede people from bringing matters forward,” he said.
“However, we believe it is wrong to report matters in a way that apportions guilt before the matters have been resolved.
“I hope evidence is brought forward and tested in court.
“The business of causing sexual harm to a child is repellent and those involved must be brought to account, but I personally do not believe in a process that vilifies a person before due process takes place,” he said.
Mr Edwards said the first six months of the police investigation was a very difficult time for those currently at the school.
He said that as the media went into a frenzy, the boys were taunted at sporting events by their opponents while parents from other schools chanted inappropriate things from the sidelines.
At times camera crews were camped outside the gates, helicopters hovered overhead and cars pulled up alongside boys in the street.
“There were a number of outrageous incidents,” Mr Edwards said. “When the media loses its own sense of responsibility, everyone loses.
“I’m very thankful to the seniors of 2008 who, despite being subjected to some appalling comments by students and parents from other places, did not retaliate, something that would only have resulted in more damage.
“Thankfully, our boys do not seem to be subjected to that any longer,” Mr Edwards said.
He said the school has received countless emails, letters and phone calls from former students from 20 years of age to 90 expressing appreciation for the good things they experienced at the school.
“We don’t want to be insensitive to those who have suffered hurt, but at the same time many of us feel very positive about being part of the place, particularly about the good things being done here,” he said.
Mr Edwards said this is reflected in the fact that despite all the negative publicity there has been a significant increase in the number of boarders enrolled at the school this year.
The number of boarders at Stannies has risen from 185 in 2008 to 211 this year. He said local enrolments have remained strong and steady, a fact he attributes to good support from Old Boys within the community.
“For those who do not know us, who do not have links with our school this investigation and the saturation publicity surrounding it has probably left a feeling that wrong has been done here and that the school is associated with that wrong,” Mr Edwards said.
“However, those who do know us, know how hard we work to protect the interests of children and provide them with precious opportunities,” he said.
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