Grey High School in Gqeberha has reacted with horror and outrage to the conduct of a group of Grade 12 learners during their so-called "40 days" celebrations.
The incident was brought into the spotlight by Animal Control specialist and Urban Raptor Project consultant Arnold Slabbert in a Facebook post which elicited instant condemnation and outrage from his social media followers.
Slabbert refers to a chicken being plucked and tied up in a plastic bag and includes a photograph of the hapless animal as he roundly condemns the torture of animals.
AlgoaFM News has since seen a letter addressed to the Grey Family signed by the Grey High Rector Chris Erasmus and the Chair of the School Governing Body Garth Morris detailing the events which took place on the school grounds on Wednesday the 10th of August.
The letter was sent out to all parents on Thursday afternoon and states that despite very clear instructions and prior warnings, the conduct of a small group of Grey High boys was deplorable and contrary to the ethos and values of the school.
"While we do not yet have a full picture of the events, a group of our Grade 12 boys and some Collegiate girls entered our campus and proceeded to vandalise it by spreading toilet paper, soap, flour, raw eggs and the like around campus as well as entering classrooms where they turned desks upside down," the letter states.
"Most concerning was that a very small minority decided to release livestock, both on our campus and on that of Collegiate. In so doing, they displayed a reprehensible and sickening disregard for the animals. The appalling behaviour that has been reported has no place at our school, or anywhere else for that matter," writes Erasmus and Morris.
They also give the Grey family the assurance that once they've got to the bottom of the matter and identify those responsible, the appropriate corrective measures will be put in place which will include both sanctions and proactive guidance regarding, in particular, the matter of cruelty to animals.
AlgoaFM News approached Erasmus for direct comment and he confirmed that while he is not authorised to talk to the media directly, Grey High School has informed the Eastern Cape Department of Education which is vigorously investigating the entire saga.
AlgoaFM News also approached Collegiate High School for Girls principal Louise Erasmus for comment. She confirmed that the school was investigating the events that occurred on the school property in the early hours of the morning of 10 August 2022.
"We are following due process. The matter has been reported to the Education Department and the District Office can be approached for further comment," she said.
