The King’s School has launched an investigation into an incident involving its headmaster at a faith lecture attended by about 100 students and staff in the last week of term 2.
The headmaster, Tony George, is alleged to have clipped the back of a senior school student’s head at a biblical studies class in the historic Futter Hall, sources familiar with the matter have said.
The King’s School headmaster Tony George.
The headmaster is on personal leave for health reasons, the school said in a statement. The incident is alleged to have occurred during a discussion about free speech and religion.
In a letter to parents on Monday afternoon, the school said the matter is being reviewed in accordance with its procedures.
“The school is aware of concerns regarding an interaction that occurred during a lecture attended by approximately 100 students and staff,” the letter said.
“The wellbeing of our students and the integrity of our learning environment are of paramount importance.
The King’s School in Parramatta.Credit: Rhett Wyman
“When concerns are raised, they are taken seriously and addressed through appropriate processes.”
King’s, in North Parramatta, is one of Australia’s oldest private schools. It was established 193 years ago, and its fees range from almost $30,000 for kindergarten to $47,000 for year 12 and $82,000 for tuition and boarding in high school.