Since 2000 Brisbane Grammar School has fully acknowledged and has been responding to the tragic legacy of abuse committed against students in the 1970s and 1980s by the School Counsellor Kevin Lynch.

We reiterate our unreserved apology to them for what happened and the impact these events have had on them.

From the very first days that the School was made aware of what had occurred, our leadership put in place our own redress scheme which has provided counselling and psychological care, a personal apology from the Chairman and Headmaster, as well as monetary payments.

So far, the Scheme operated by the School has finalised settlements with more than 140 survivors.

While we recognise that we are powerless to undo the past, we are and remain committed to responding to those who experienced abuse with care and compassion.

In November 2012, the Federal Government announced the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Brisbane Grammar School fully supported the important work of the Royal Commission in giving voice to those who have suffered abuse, identifying the causes of such abuse and recommending action now and for the future.

The public hearings in Brisbane canvassed significant amounts of oral evidence which, combined with documentary evidence provided, were considered by the Royal Commission. Brisbane Grammar School was the subject of Case Study 34, click here to view that report and the Royal Commission's findings.

The School is committed to helping those who have suffered sexual abuse in the past. To that end, we encourage anyone who may have suffered past sexual abuse to contact the School through our Independent Redress Office on 0401 345 356 or via email [email protected].

From the very first days that the School was made aware of what had occurred, our leadership put in place our own redress scheme which has provided counselling and psychological care, personal apology from the Chairman and Headmaster, as well as monetary payments.

So far, the Scheme operated by the School has finalised settlements with more than 130 survivors.

Our response to survivors and victims of Kevin Lynch since 2000 both predates and mirrors the later recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

A central element of the BGS Scheme is that we require any person coming forward to be independently legally represented to ensure that their interests are protected. BGS contributes to that person’s legal costs in an amount agreed with their lawyers or as assessed pursuant to the relevant court rules. This means that they have independent legal advice on their settlement, its terms and its quantum, before it is concluded.

Brisbane Grammar School accepts that survivors who suffered abuse may not wish to deal directly with the School. Therefore, Brisbane Grammar School has set up a Redress Office, managed by an independent Redress Coordinator (a Doctor of Psychology) to coordinate the ongoing counselling support and assistance provided to those who have been abused by Kevin Lynch.

The Redress Office has a​ dedicated phone number - 0401 345 356 - that has been set up for this specific purpose. A qualified practitioner will be available to speak to you during business hours or leave a message and your call will be returned as soon as possible. Alternatively, please contact the Redress Office via email [email protected].

If you require emergency assistance after hours, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, visit their website or proceed to the emergency department of your closest hospital.

STATEMENT
2 June 2021

As we have done over many years, I am writing to you to keep you informed about the School’s ongoing response to address the damage caused by the abuse committed by a former staff member between 1973 and 1988.

Since the Board became aware of the abuse in May 2000, BGS has openly accepted and acknowledged that abuse occurred here during that time. For more than 20 years, it has been a priority of successive Boards and School Leadership to respond to those whose lives have been so badly affected.

It has also been the priority of successive Boards and School Leadership to ensure that what happened to them is not forgotten and to recognise, as we did before and during the Royal Commission and more recently in the School’s official sesquicentenary history, what happened and the impact those events have had and continue to have on many people.

Our response to those who suffered abuse is ongoing and includes:

• Counselling support for as long as necessary in each case;
• Face to face apologies by the Chairman and Headmaster of the time, directly acknowledging what has happened and apologising for the failure to provide care;
• Offering a mediation process to all who have come forward led by an experienced, independent mediator and with independent legal advice;
• Clinical and other assessment of damages; and
• Agreed compensation.

This approach – which has resulted in the settlement of more than 140 matters – has been chosen by those who have brought forward a claim as well as by their independent legal representatives as the process in which they wish to resolve their matter.

The School’s representatives are as committed today to continuing this work as we were when we began it in May 2000. We will continue to respond to those who experienced abuse at BGS with a direct personal apology, compensation, and counselling for as long as is required.

Underscoring the School’s commitment, BGS joined the National Redress Scheme in 2020 so that another pathway – entirely independent of the School – was made available for any person who may choose it.

The role of the Courts in determining legal issues, including the appropriateness of past mediated settlements or seeking a litigated assessment of damages and compensation, has been the subject of some recent media reporting. The School acknowledges the right of any person to pursue any available legal option, including seeking a litigated outcome of their claim should they feel that the mediation process outlined above – or the National Redress Scheme – is not the pathway for them. We respect that entirely.

The School’s priority remains responding to those who come forward and how they may choose to do that, be it through direct approach, the National Redress Scheme or through the civil litigation process.

BGS will continue to meet the costs of our ongoing response to these matters without impacting on the operation of the School. We have done this for 21 years and will continue to do so.

The School deeply regrets the damage caused to any former student as a result of the abuse by this former member of staff. Our apology to them, which we reiterate today, is unreserved and enduring.

Regards,
Anthony Micallef

STATEMENT
20 August 2019

Dear Parents, Guardians and the BGS community past, present, and future,

I am writing to advise you that the Board of Trustees of Brisbane Grammar School has resolved to apply for entry into the National Redress Scheme. The establishment of the National Redress Scheme was a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

While we will continue to operate our own redress scheme as we have done for nearly two decades, we recognise that some of those who have experienced abuse in the past may not wish to engage with the School. If approved, our participation in the National Redress Scheme will provide an additional avenue for those who have experienced abuse to seek redress.

We understand that the application process for the National Redress Scheme, which is subject to approval by the Minister, will likely take a number of months. The Board’s decision to opt in to the National Redress Scheme is another step by Brisbane Grammar School since 2000 to respond to these terrible events.

We will continue to offer the option of working directly with the School for those who choose to do so, parallel with our participation in the National Redress Scheme.

You can read more about our response and how to access services provided by BGS here.

Yours faithfully,

Anthony Micallef
Headmaster

STATEMENT
28 February 2019

Dear Parents, Guardians and all in our BGS Community,  

I am writing to update you on the considerations relevant to Brisbane Grammar School’s participation in the National Redress Scheme established by the Commonwealth with a legislated entry period up to 30 June 2020.

 Since May 2000 the School has openly acknowledged the criminal abuse of students committed by Kevin Lynch. We reiterate our unreserved apology for what occurred and acknowledge the pain and suffering of victims.

Over the past 19 years the School has called for anyone who may have experienced abuse to come forward, and as a result the School has settled matters with some 130 former students and is continuing to deal with claims today.

Our approach is very much focused on those who have experienced abuse in the full knowledge that we cannot undo the past but can work to provide some healing to lives damaged by abuse.

In 2000 the School established its own scheme which has been well publicised, is well understood, and has been widely used.

The BGS Scheme has, from the outset, been based on the same elements of redress ultimately recommended by the Royal Commission in 2015, including agreed compensation, unlimited counselling provided by independent specialists of the person’s choice, as well as a personal, face-to-face apology from the Chairman and the Headmaster.

The BGS Scheme continues to operate while we consider participation in the National Redress Scheme. Information and assistance in relation to the BGS Scheme is available via the Redress Office on 0401 345 356 or alternatively via email at [email protected].

The Commonwealth has legislated for a two year period, ending on 30 June 2020, for all institutions to decide whether to participate in the voluntary National Redress Scheme. There are important considerations to be taken into account by the School in making this decision, which will be completed well before this deadline.

The Commonwealth Department of Social Services (which is the operator of the National Redress Scheme) has acknowledged to us in writing that the School ‘has been acting in good faith to date and is applying due consideration to joining the Scheme.’

We will continue to do so and will keep you informed.

Yours sincerely,
Anthony Micallef

STATEMENT
19 October 2017

We are aware of the additional report that has been released in respect of Case Study 34. 

We note that the Royal Commission is satisfied that there was no means for BGS to have known the history of Kevin Lynch in another state at that time. 

The Royal Commission stated: 

“The report states that at the time of his employment at Brisbane Grammar in 1973 and St Paul's in 1989, there was no Working With Children Check scheme in place in Queensland and there was also no requirement that a criminal history check be undertaken. Even if a police check had been undertaken in Queensland, it would not have revealed the NSW offences".

Anthony Micallef
Headmaster

STATEMENT
15 February 2017

Today the Royal Commission released its report into Case Study 34 into the response of Brisbane Grammar School and St Paul's School to allegations of child sexual abuse.

Please click here to read the statement from the Trustees of Brisbane Grammar School released today following the tabling of the Royal Commission's report.

I would like to reiterate the School's unreserved apology to those who suffered as a result of the abuse committed by Kevin Lynch between 1976 and 1988.

We confirm the School's commitment to continue to support any former students who come forward.

Anthony Micallef
Headmaster

STATEMENT 
1 December 2016

As we have previously undertaken to do, I am today writing to you to provide an update on the progress of the Royal Commission process following last year’s public hearing.

Today the Royal Commission published submissions made by all represented parties in Case Study 34, which inquired into the abuse committed by Kevin Lynch at Brisbane Grammar School and St Paul's School.

While the publication of submissions is an important next step, it is not the conclusion of the Royal Commission process.

The final report of the Royal Commission, including its recommendations and findings, is yet to be completed and publicly released.

In light of the continuing work of the Royal Commission, Brisbane Grammar School is respectfully awaiting the conclusion of that process and will not comment further until the final report has been released.

In the interim, BGS will continue working with those who were abused by Kevin Lynch, providing personal apologies, compensation payments and ongoing counselling.

Anthony Micallef
Headmaster

STATEMENT 
Friday 12 February 2016

The Board of Trustees of the Brisbane Grammar School today released an update to the BGS community on matters relating to the abuse of students by Kevin Lynch between 1976 and 1988.

The Board reiterated the School’s commitment to continuing its work, which commenced in 2000, in addressing the effects of the abuse.

The update outlines the steps the School has undertaken in working with those who have suffered abuse, including compensation, counselling and personal apologies by the School leadership.

The Board has also considered and decided against adopting the initiative of the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane in relation to the refund of school fees, but will continue with the existing approach to redress and compensation, which is in line with the recommendations of the Royal Commission.

Click here for the detailed BGS Community Update.

STATEMENT
11 December 2015

Following a decision by the Board of Trustees, the name of the former Headmaster Dr Max Howell has been removed from the School's Indoor Sports Centre.

Many victims have raised this as a significant issue for them.

The Board has discussed this issue with the Howell family who support the decision. The Howell family said of Dr Howell:

"He would have acknowledged the fact that the appalling abuse committed by Kevin Lynch occurred during his tenure as Headmaster and would have apologised to the victims. He would have accepted that as the Headmaster he was ultimately responsible for the disgraceful actions of one of his staff".

Chairman of the Board Howard Stack said: "From our discussions with victims, we believe the removal of the name is fundamental to the School's apology to them."

The Board and the Howell family hope that this decision will be an important part of the healing process for those abused by Lynch.

What Kevin Lynch did continues to have devastating consequences for so many and we reiterate our apology to those who have suffered.

Brisbane Grammar School is continuing to engage with victims with a personal apology, counselling and compensation, an approach it has adopted since June 2000, mirroring the recommended approach of the Royal Commission.

Since 2000 we have reached agreements with 72 men, with payments on average in line with the Royal Commission's recommendations.

We are now working with those who have recently come forward and we will meet our obligations to them.

Board of Trustees
Brisbane Grammar School

STATEMENT
25 September 2015

I wish to inform you of the impending involvement of the School in one of the many Case Studies which are being conducted by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse around Australia.

Recently the Royal Commission has announced a public hearing in Brisbane from 3 November 2015 that will look at educational institutions in Queensland including our own, which relates to abuse by Kevin Lynch, our then student counsellor, in the 1970s and 1980s.

The Royal Commission has said that the elements of the case study relating to Brisbane Grammar School will focus on:

• The experience of former students of Brisbane Grammar School in Spring Hill, Queensland;
• The response of the Board of Trustees, Headmasters and other members of staff of Brisbane Grammar School to complaints about the behaviour of Kevin Lynch, a former school counsellor at Brisbane Grammar School; and
• The past and current systems, practices, policies and procedures in place at Brisbane Grammar School in relation to raising and responding to concerns and complaints about child sexual abuse.

Brisbane Grammar School has worked with the victims of Kevin Lynch with care and compassion for more than 15 years and we have unreservedly and publicly apologised to them for what they endured.

We reiterate that apology today and again encourage anyone who has not yet come forward to do so.

Brisbane Grammar School has and will continue to cooperate fully with the Royal Commission and we support its important work in creating public awareness on the causes and effects of abuse and promoting best practice in child protection.

Even though the hearing will focus on events that occurred many years ago, we understand and appreciate that this may be a difficult experience for our school community.

There will be evidence that will be difficult and challenging to hear, however we recognise the courage of those who have come forward to tell their stories and we will listen to them with respect.

We have been open and transparent with our community about the Kevin Lynch matters over the past 15 years and we will continue to be with respect to the Royal Commission hearings ahead.

As the parent / caregiver of a student I want to reassure you that Brisbane Grammar School is a safe place for all our students.

Brisbane Grammar School goes well beyond the requirements of government legislation.  We have comprehensive policies, procedures and strict codes of conduct backed by training that give full effect to our commitment to the safety, protection and welfare of all our students.

Should you wish to talk to anyone about our child safety policies and procedures, do not hesitate to contact Ms Jacqui Zervos, Head of Middle School, Mr David Carroll, Deputy Headmaster Students on 07 3834 5322 or your son’s Head of Year when school recommences.

We will also be informing the boys of what is ahead, but if you or your son have questions about these matters, please let us know so that we can work with you to address any issues or concerns you may have.

Yours faithfully

Anthony Micallef
HEADMASTER