The Scots College: 17-year-old boy at centre of alleged assault breaks silence on ‘terrifying’ ordeal

The 17-year-old Sydney student who claims to be the victim of a shocking hazing-style incident that was filmed and shared online has broken his silence on the “terrifying” alleged ordeal, revealing he hoped the invite meant he would “finally” have friends.

The situation unfolded in the bushes near the Woollahra Golf Club on Saturday afternoon, where a group of boys from The Scots College allegedly physically and verbally abused the teen.

The 17-year-old reportedly had arranged to meet the group after being invited to join a private Snapchat group. Lured under the guise of attending a party, he was then allegedly ambushed by fellow students.

Footage shared on social media appears to show the boy walking through a “human tunnel” while being pushed, slapped, drenched in beer and called offensive names.

“When I was invited to a Snapchat group and a school gathering over the weekend, I thought I was finally being included,” the boy wrote in a letter read by 2GB’s Ben Fordham on Wednesday morning.

“One kid even told me I had to go, or I’d be kicked out of a program that I was part of.

“But that inclusion was a trap. I was ambushed, physically restrained and humiliated.”

The student said the most “terrifying” part was how he was “lured” to the party, thinking he was “finally going to have some friends at school”.

“The bullying I’ve experienced isn’t limited to the playground. I’ve received awful messages online that have made me feel alone and attacked,” he added.

“I’m honestly surprised that it hasn’t led to more tragedies. Students feel alone, unsafe, and unheard.”

The boy’s letter ended with a powerful message to those in similar situations.

“Speak up before it’s too late.”

Four teenagers have reportedly been hauled to Bondi Police Station, where they will face questioning over the alleged incident.

Students face possible expulsion

The Scots College in Bellevue Hill is one of the most prestigious schools in the country, with fees for Year 11 and 12 just shy of $47,000 a year.

In a letter to teachers, principal of The Scots College, Dr Ian Lambert, said he was “disappointed and disgusted” by the incident, describing the actions of the students involved as “completely unacceptable”.

“The fact that this happened off campus and outside school hours does not lessen its seriousness,” he said.

“Behaviour of this nature is not tolerated at Scots.”

Dr Lambert said the school would conduct its own investigation and said consequences, including possible expulsion, will follow for those involved.

He has encouraged students to come forward if they have any information about the incident.

Speaking on Sunrise on Wednesday morning, former principal of the elite private school, Tracy Tully, said this culture is “everywhere” and has been around for “decades”.

“It’s more than what parents and the general population realise....it’s something that’s been around for a long time.”

Ms Tully added that she was “really disappointed” by the events and “saddened for the boy” at the centre of the alleged assault.

“This will stick with him for life,” she said.

Mother’s heartbreak

On Monday, the boy’s mother, Trish, shared gut-wrenching details about the alleged assault.

“He was lured there, and he was pressured into going. They told him there was an expectation for him to be there, he needed to be there to offer support,” she told 2GB’s Ben Fordham on Monday.

“When he got there, he was set upon by this group. They handed him a flag, and they ridiculed him, poured beer over him, his hair, pulled his shirt,” she alleged.

Trish said her son was eventually able to escape and called police.

“A lady who was a guardian angel took him to her house and he waited there until police arrived.”

The horrified mother said her son is “obviously shaken” by the ordeal, suffering bruises “all over” his body.

“(They) just absolutely humiliated him, laughing and taunting him, calling him disgusting names,” she added.

Trish claimed the ritual is a “tradition” among senior students at the school.

“From what I have researched, it was called ‘Bob 2025’. It seems to be some type of tradition with year 10 to 12 boys. They do it twice a year, it’s like a coming of age.”

NSW Police is continuing its investigation.