Police called in as more details emerge from Ballarat Grammar ‘strapping’ scandal

Police have confirmed they are investigating assault allegations at the centre of a “strapping” scandal at a Victorian private school dating back to 2023.

It comes as Ballarat Grammar’s principal pledged the institution will “weather the media storm” after revelations ten senior boarding students have been sent home over unofficial “justice” allegedly being meted out on younger students at the Dart House boarding facility.

Principal Adam Heath told the annual general meeting of the school’s Old Grammarians society on Monday evening that all the students caught up in the allegations were receiving a “lot of care”.

Heath said it had been a “difficult and stressful” time, but the school community would get through it together.

“Probably the most important thing that you need to know is the young people and their families at the centre of this have been offered a lot of care,” he said. “We’re a big, old school – we will weather the media storm.”

Heath declined to speak to The Age following the meeting.

Three days after Grammar said they were working with police on the strapping allegations, the force issued a brief statement confirming their involvement.

“Ballarat police officers are investigating a report of several assaults which occurred at a school in Wendouree between 2023 and 2024,” a spokeswoman said.

“The investigation remains ongoing.”