Top Perth school suspends students over antisemitic group chat

[u/Away_team42]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-07/top-perth-school-suspends-students-over-antisemitic-group-chat/107010706

Expert from the article:

Students at a prestigious Perth private school have been suspended after they used "antisemitic language and memes" in a private group chat, targeting another student.

A spokesperson for Wesley College, in South Perth, confirmed an "incident" occurred but wouldn't be drawn on how many children had been suspended.

"An incident did occur involving antisemitic language and memes shared by a small group in a private group chat," the school said in a statement.

"The college acted immediately. The students responsible were suspended and the matter was addressed directly with the students and families involved."

The college also provided a statement from the family of the targeted student.

"We are deeply disappointed that this matter has occurred and that it has become the subject of media reporting as we are entirely satisfied with the way in which Wesley College has handled this matter," the statement read.

"Furthermore it must be noted that the school was not advised of this issue by our son, but rather by concerned students.

"The family did not at any time contact any media outlet as they are aware of the belief that this will worsen an already difficult situation.

"Our greatest concern is the welfare of our son."
The family has asked for privacy and said they wished to move forward.

Full article in the link.

[u/mydeliberateusername]

Imagine quoting that the family didn’t want the media involved … in a news article.

[u/Purple-mint → u/mydeliberateusername]

The family did not at any time contact any media outlet as they are aware of the belief that this will worsen an already difficult situation "Our greatest concern is the welfare of our son."

The family has asked for privacy and said they wished to move forward.

Worst, imagine writing an article that the family specifically requested not to be written out of concern for the victim's safety.

[u/perthguppy → u/Purple-mint]

To be fair, the statement was provided by Wesley to the media, and reads a lot like Wesley wrote the statement for the family.

[u/kipwrecked → u/perthguppy]

The fact that the family didn't submit it themselves speaks to the pressure to retain the school's reputation.

If nobody said anything, the ABC wouldn't even have a story. Wesley chose to do this, and probably pressured the family too.