Latest news with #TheKingsSchool
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
One of Australia's oldest and most elite private schools costing upwards of $45,000 a year is rocked by scandal involving principal
The headmaster of one of Sydney 's most elite private schools has taken leave amid allegations he struck a student on the back of the head. Rumours of The King's School headmaster, Tony George, being incredibly blunt and cynical about 'victimhood' began shortly after he took on the top job in July 2017. However, those whispers of authoritarianism around the campus in Parramatta, western Sydney, took a new tone following an alleged incident in the last week of Term Two. Sources close to the school claimed the headmaster struck the back of a senior student's head during discussions in a biblical studies class at the historic Futter Hall. The description of the severity of the assault drastically differs, with some likening it to a 'clip' to the ears while others alleged Mr George descended from the stage to 'hit' the teenager. With students resuming classes for Term Three this week, the school sent a letter to parents informing them it was investigating the alleged incident. In the meantime, Mr George has taken a two-week leave after contracting shingles. The letter, seen by Daily Mail Australia, reassured parents 'the wellbeing of our students and the integrity of our learning environment are of paramount importance'. 'The school is aware of concerns regarding an interaction that occurred during a lecture attended by approximately 100 students and staff,' it read. 'The matter is being reviewed in accordance with the school's established procedures.' The King's School is one of Australia's oldest private schools, having been built in 1831. Fees at the institution start at almost $30,000 for kindergarteners and $47,000 for Year 12 students. Costs are significantly higher for children boarding at the school. Mr George has found himself in headlines several times over the years. Last year he drew attention for his response to negative media coverage of the attitude shown in Australia's elite private schools. 'Toxic masculinity has become a memetic cliché of progressive extremism,' he said. 'Unfortunately, genuine critical reflection and action has given way to movements of cancel culture. 'For example, 'wokeness', initially a call for heightened awareness and sensitivity to social and racial injustices, has evolved into a broader social movement of complaint and victimhood.' Mr George was also the centre of a financial scandal in 2022 after business class flights to London for he and his wife were covered by the school. The pair, alongside the school's deputy and his wife, flew to attend the world's most prestigious rowing event, the Henley Royal Regatta, where students competed. The King's School receives substantial funding from the government on top of its million-dollar profits. In 2024 alone, the school reported a surplus of $4million. In later 2022, the Department of Education launched an audit of King's following concerns it was misusing taxpayer money. The reports stemmed from the school council approving a request from the headmaster to build a plunge pool at his on-site residence. King's was ordered to stop construction of the pool after the government investigation determined it to be an improper use of the school's money. The school has since submitted plans for a $170million campus development. Construction includes a new science and technology building, nine staff townhouses and performing arts centre for primary students. King's also has 'concept plans' for a sports pavilion, new boarding and day boy houses, and an entrance through land owned by Tara Anglican School for Girls.
Daily Mail
21-07-2025
- Daily Mail
School holiday horror as Year 12 boy is killed in a car crash near his family home
A boarder at a prestigious private school in Sydney 's west has tragically killed in a car crash. Stirling Heriot, 17, died in a car crash near his family's remote property in Quambone, 200km north of Dubbo in Central NSW, on Friday night. Witnesses phoned emergency services about 6.45pm to report a crash on Quambone Road and first responders found a teenager dead at the scene. 'Officers attached to Orana Mid Western Police District attended and found a vehicle had left the roadway and rolled,' NSW Police said in a statement. The King's School in Parramatta spoke out about the tragedy on Sunday. 'Stirling was widely admired for his kindness, generosity and willingness to engage warmly with those around him,' the school said. 'A dedicated contributor to school life, he was a committed member of the 2nd IV in Rowing and had previously been involved in Rugby and Cadets.' The independent Anglican school applauded Stirling's dedication and pride in his country roots. 'His persistence and work ethic were evident in all he undertook, especially in Industrial Technology where he was proudly building a tandem-axle multipurpose farm trailer intended for use on the family property as his major project,' it said. The King's School added Stirling's passing would be 'deeply felt by his family, his friends and many others across the School who had the privilege of knowing and teaching him'. 'As we navigate this difficult time, our focus will be on supporting one another, especially our students,' it said. 'Please keep the Heriot family in your prayers during this profoundly painful time.' Hundreds of comments under the statement mourned the 'kind' and 'gentle' 17-year-old. 'This young boy brought joy, light, and laughter to those around him. In his short time here, he left a mark that time will not erase. His spirit was gentle, his smile unforgettable,' one wrote. 'So incredibly tragic! My heart is broken for the family. Sending all my love and thoughts to the Heriot family and all his friends,' another said. 'So devastating such a young boy lost to soon,' another wrote. Stirling's former Housemaster, head of the Baker Hake boarders, shared a lengthy tribute to the student he knew for four years. 'What I always loved about Stirling is that he is honest as the day is long and the big fella didn't have a mean bone in his body!' he wrote. 'He is a kind, caring and empathetic young man who was extremely well respected by all that came into contact with him. 'I have never seen a young man roll up his sleeves and work as hard as Stirling when he got the chance to put his skills on display in something he loved!' An obituary for Stirling described him as 'deeply connected to his local heritage'. 'Whether sharing laughter around a bonfire or helping neighbours with practical tasks, he embodied the very best qualities of Australian country life,' it read. 'Though his life was unexpectedly and painfully shortened, Stirling leaves behind a legacy that will endure in the hearts of his family, friends, and community.'
The Sun
01-07-2025
- The Sun
Two teenagers, 17 and 18, killed in horror crash were ‘best friends' as families pay heartbreaking tribute
THE families of two teens who were tragically killed in a horror car crash have paid tribute to the boys. Harrison Carter, 18, and his best friend George Stephenson, 17, died in the collision on June 20. 2 2 The boys were passengers in the same car in Marston, Lincolnshire. An 18-year-old woman, driving a black Kia Niro, and an 18-year-old man, driving a blue Ford Fiesta, were both been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. The woman was released under investigation and the man has been bailed. Harrison's family said: 'We would like to thank everyone, particularly our friends, family, The Kings School and Lincolnshire Police for the compassion and support shown to us following the terrible accident, that took our beloved son Harrison and his best friend George in the early hours of Friday, June 20th. 'Harrison touched so many lives and was a bright, talented and beautiful person both inside and out. 'As you can imagine, we are utterly heartbroken. 'Due to the nature of the accident, many families have been affected and our thoughts are with all those involved.' George's family also said in a tribute: 'We, as a family, would like to thank everyone for their support at this incredibly difficult time. 'Losing George in such a tragic accident, has devastated us all, and our lives will never be the same again. He brought so much love and joy to so many people and was a truly kind and caring boy. 'Whilst we deal with our loss, and the police continue their investigation, we urge people not to speculate on the cause of this accident. 'Many lives have been shattered and nothing will bring our beautiful boy home.'
BBC News
30-06-2025
- BBC News
Families pay tribute to Marston crash victims, 17 and 18
The families of two teenage friends who died in a crash in Lincolnshire say they are "utterly heartbroken".Harrison Carter, 18, and George Stephenson, 17, died following a collision involving a Ford Fiesta and a Kia Niro on Toll Bar Road, near Marston, Grantham, on 20 June. Both were passengers, police drivers of the vehicles – a man and a woman, both aged 18 – were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. The woman was released under investigation and the man had been bailed, police said. In a statement issued by Lincolnshire Police, Harrison's family thanked friends, family, The Kings School and Lincolnshire Police "for the compassion and support shown to us following the terrible accident"."Harrison touched so many lives and was a bright, talented and beautiful person, both inside and out," the family said."As you can imagine, we are utterly heartbroken."George's family thanked "everyone for their support at this incredibly difficult time"."Losing George in such a tragic accident has devastated us all, and our lives will never be the same again. He brought so much love and joy to so many people and was a truly kind and caring boy."Whilst we deal with our loss, and the police continue their investigation, we urge people not to speculate on the cause of this accident."Many lives have been shattered and nothing will bring our beautiful boy home." Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
ITV News
30-06-2025
- ITV News
Families of teenage best friends killed in Marston crash 'heartbroken'
The families of two teenage best friends who died in a crash say they are "heartbroken" and "devastated". Harrison Carter, 18, and 17-year-old George Stephenson were passengers in one of two cars which crashed on Toll Bar Road at Marston, near Grantham, Lincolnshire, in the early hours of 20 June. A man and a woman, both aged 18, were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and released on bail. In a statement Harrison's family thanked The Kings School and Lincolnshire Police for their "compassion and support" following his death and that of his "best friend". They said: "Harrison touched so many lives and was a bright, talented and beautiful person both inside and out. As you can imagine, we are utterly heartbroken... many families have been affected and our thoughts are with all those involved." The family of George Stephenson added: "Losing George in such a tragic accident has devastated us all and our lives will never be the same again. "He brought so much love and joy to so many people and was a truly kind and caring boy."They urged people not to speculate about the incident. 'Many lives have been shattered and nothing will bring our beautiful boy home,' the statement added. Police say investigations into the crash, which involved a black Kia Niro and a blue Ford Fiesta, are continuing.
