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Eight former Girton students allege school abuse

Source: heraldsun.com.au

TL;DR

Number of former Girton Grammar students alleging physical and sexual abuse at the Bendigo school has reached eight.
Claims involve abuse by teachers and peers mainly between 2000 and 2010, with Shine Lawyers notifying the school of three formal claims.
Solicitor warns the pattern may point to systemic issues at the prestigious private school, prompting witness outreach.

The story at a glance

More former students of Girton Grammar School in Bendigo have come forward alleging they were physically and sexually abused by staff and peers during the 2000s. Shine Lawyers is investigating after an initial victim approached them, leading to eight alleged survivors and 51 witnesses including teachers and parents contacting the firm. The article reports this update two months after the probe began, as legal action looms.[[1]](https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/number-of-former-girton-grammar-students-allegedly-physically-and-sexually-abused-at-school-reaches-eight/news-story/848fd17afaa2d71fd4eec2afc03139f3)

Key points

Initial allegation from a female former senior student claims sexual abuse by a teacher and separate physical and sexual abuse by male students over two years when aged 15-17, mostly at school.[[2]](https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/9167887/shine-lawyers-investigates-alleged-abuse-at-top-bendigo-school)
Number of alleged victims grew to eight within two months of Shine Lawyers' public call for witnesses from 2000-2010.[[1]](https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/number-of-former-girton-grammar-students-allegedly-physically-and-sexually-abused-at-school-reaches-eight/news-story/848fd17afaa2d71fd4eec2afc03139f3)
51 potential witnesses, including ex-staff and parents, have engaged with the firm; investigation expanded in victims and timeframe.[[3]](https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/9206718/witnesses-come-forward-in-abuse-claim-against-bendigo-school)
School received three legal letters about alleged harm to former pupils; expects to resolve claims via trauma-informed approach.[[3]](https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/9206718/witnesses-come-forward-in-abuse-claim-against-bendigo-school)
Each case involves multiple perpetrators; firm expects to file some claims within a year.[[3]](https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/9206718/witnesses-come-forward-in-abuse-claim-against-bendigo-school)
Girton Grammar participates in National Redress Scheme, not named in Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.[[2]](https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/9167887/shine-lawyers-investigates-alleged-abuse-at-top-bendigo-school)

Details and context

Shine Lawyers, a major Australian firm, started the probe in early February 2026 after one victim came forward, quickly issuing a witness callout for the 2000-2010 period. Solicitor Channen Miller noted common themes emerging from talks with former students, suggesting patterns beyond isolated events.[[2]](https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/9167887/shine-lawyers-investigates-alleged-abuse-at-top-bendigo-school)

The school, a top independent co-ed in regional Victoria, prioritises student safety and welfare, per principal Dr Emma O'Rielly. Police have been approached for comment but no charges are reported yet; allegations remain unproven.[[3]](https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/9206718/witnesses-come-forward-in-abuse-claim-against-bendigo-school)

This fits broader scrutiny of historical abuse in Australian schools post-Royal Commission, with Shine handling 25 Victorian cases.[[4]](https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/bendigo/witnesses-come-forward-as-historic-child-abuse-claims-at-girton-grammar-emerge/news-story/384485d58a8c8558aec215082e79182b)

Key quotes

"The number of survivors coming forward was potentially ‘indicative’ of ‘broader, systemic issues’." – Channen Miller, Shine Lawyers.[[1]](https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/number-of-former-girton-grammar-students-allegedly-physically-and-sexually-abused-at-school-reaches-eight/news-story/848fd17afaa2d71fd4eec2afc03139f3)
"Girton Grammar School is a participant of the National Redress Scheme and whilst not named in the Royal Commission, we recognise the importance of providing appropriate and trauma-informed avenues for addressing institutional child sexual abuse." – Dr Emma O'Rielly, principal.[[2]](https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/9167887/shine-lawyers-investigates-alleged-abuse-at-top-bendigo-school)

Why it matters

Rising claims of historical abuse at a leading regional school raise questions about past safeguarding and culture in private education. Families and enrollees may seek more details on the school's handling, while alleged victims gain avenues for redress. Watch for police involvement or court filings, though outcomes remain uncertain.