A prestigious private school in South Perth has taken decisive action, suspending several students involved in sharing antisemitic language and memes in a private group chat targeting a classmate.

Wesley College administration confirmed the incident occurred and stated they intervened immediately once the behavior came to light. While the school declined to specify the exact number of students disciplined, they emphasized that the responsible individuals were suspended and the matter has been addressed directly with the families involved.

In a statement released through the college, the family of the targeted student expressed their disappointment over the incident but praised the school’s swift handling of the situation. Crucially, the family revealed that the school was alerted to the group chat not by their son, but by other concerned classmates who stepped forward.

“We are entirely satisfied with the way in which Wesley College has handled this matter,” the family’s statement read, adding that their primary focus remains on the welfare of their son. They have requested privacy as they look to move past the distressing event.

Premier Condemns Behavior

The incident has caught the attention of state leadership, with Western Australian Premier Roger Cook issuing a strong condemnation. He stressed that antisemitic behavior has absolutely no place in the state.

“Western Australia is a peaceful place, it is an inclusive society, and we want to make sure that everyone can live here in peace,” Premier Cook said. “I strongly condemn these allegations in the strongest possible terms.” He added his hope that the school would continue taking all necessary steps to maintain a safe environment for its student body.

A Top-Ranked Institution

Wesley College, located in South Perth and associated with the Uniting Church, caters to approximately 1,300 students from pre-kindergarten to Year 12. Earlier this year, the co-educational (up to Year 6) and boys-only (Years 7 to 12) institution was recognized as the nation’s top private school by data platform Schools360, scoring an impressive 93.3 per cent based on academic excellence, student wellbeing, and learning environments.

Broader Concerns Over Classroom Antisemitism

This local incident unfolds against a backdrop of national scrutiny. The ongoing Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has recently been examining the rise of antisemitic behavior across Australian educational institutions.

Earlier this year, Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism Jillian Segal warned of a worrying trend of antisemitic incidents in schools nationwide, prompting calls for increased educational initiatives and training programs designed to foster tolerance and combat hate speech from an early age.