A student at a prestigious high school in Melbourne has protested the teaching standards – by defecating on the floor.
The girl, who has taken on the role of masked crusader and is remaining anonymous, has been defecating on the floor of the bathroom and around the sinks periodically since February, one student told news.com.au.
This week, the seemingly random attacks were revealed to be a protest when the student published an open letter that outlined her reasons for going to the toilet on the floor.
“I know I have resorted to the most extreme method to make a symbolic point but you NEVER listen to student voice,” the note, obtained by news.com.au, started.
“We all know you’re not going to do anything, but at least my behaviour has punished the school for what it has done.
“The teachers are sh*t, so I have left symbolic droppings of what the education is like at this school. CRAP!!!”
The student took umbrage with the teaching style of particular teachers, calling on them to “be made redundant” or “fixed”.
She accused one teacher of bringing “his earphones and watches … mindless videos” while students are directed to “read the text book and answer the questions”.
The student says that her classmates aren’t taught anything in class, which was reflected in their marks in comparison to their peers.
“How is it that all the lower ranking students are from [name retracted]’s class?”
The student goes on to accuse the school of constantly ignoring and brushing aside complaints about teachers.
“By choosing to take down this letter, you are effectively silencing students’ voices,” she writes.
“You’re effectively silencing my voice.
“But then again, what’s new?”
Another student (or possibly the same, who knows, it’s a secret identity) told news.com.au the principal had asked for the offending student to come forward in an assembly.
“She said, ‘I strongly urge this person who wrote this letter to come and talk to me,’ but she didn’t really address the issue,” the student said.
Coming forward seems like possibly the worst thing a student who defecated on the floor could do, but maybe it’ll work…
In a statement to news.com.au, Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School Principal Dr Toni Meath said that earlier this year, the school had become “aware of a student who was dissatisfied and we’ve reached out to offer her support and address her concerns.
“We listen to our students and their input is valued by the whole school community, and we work with all of our students to help them get a great education.”
