An elite school has responded to explosive allegations, including from a former student who claimed he was abused by an older student.
Travis Mathews was a 13-year-old boarding student in Cranbrook, in Sydney’s exclusive eastern suburbs, when he alleges the older student forced him to perform oral sex.
The claims are one of several that aired on the ABC program. Four corners on Monday, alleging that the program had obtained “multiple letters and documents from former Cranbrook staff members that describe a toxic culture.”
The program alleged that many female teachers had left Cranbrook “bewildered” by how their complaints had been handled and that the school used agreements and confidentiality agreements to avoid controversy.
Hours after the show aired, Cranbrook school board president Geoff Lovell sent an email to alumni responding to the allegations.
“Cranbrook recognizes that in any large organization there may be personnel disputes from time to time and the council is confident that the school handles these with care and confidentiality,” Mr Lovell said.
Last month, Mathews brought civil proceedings in the New South Wales Supreme Court seeking damages more than a decade after he alleges the abuse occurred.
“He became quite violent and aggressive…he forced me to perform oral sex on him in his room on several occasions,” Mathews said.
Mathew’s lawyer says he has found documents that show there had already been an investigation into the older student for alleged contact with other children, but that he remained in a position where he could access students.
Former student Travis Mathews alleges he was abused by older student who was allowed to stay at school after he spoke out
Sydney’s exclusive private all-boys school Cranbrook came under scrutiny on Monday night in the Four Corners.
Mathews said the older student threatened him, including that “…if I told anyone, they would basically make my life hell.”
He alleges the abuse continued for a few months until the older boy filmed him without his knowledge.
“He knew that if he ever came out, he would be frowned upon,” Mathews said.
“So, he told me to make sexual advances to him in his room, and then he recorded me making those sexual advances as evidence to tell the school that I was the one who had claimed all of this at the age of 13.”
Cranbrook discovered one of the recordings and Mathews was sent to therapy where he revealed the alleged abuse and the police were called.
Mathews said after the investigation the older boy remained at school and he saw him often.
Other allegations against the school aired by Four Corners include that of Jasmin Hyde, who taught mathematics at Cranbrook and was the subject of an attempted blackmail by a student in June 2020.
Following the launch of the program, school board president Mr. Lovell sent an email to alumni.
“Cranbrook takes all allegations of abuse and its duty of care to its students very seriously and follows relevant and mandatory reporting processes in relation to these matters,” it said.
‘We recognize survivors and their stories.
‘No school is ever exempt from scrutiny or, when it deserves it, criticism. We offer our solidarity in the face of the complaints expressed by former staff.
‘Cranbrook recognizes that in any large organization there may be personnel disputes from time to time and the Council trusts that the school handles these with care and confidentiality.
“With respect to Travis Matthews, we are unable to comment as this matter is the subject of civil proceedings before the Supreme Court of New South Wales.”
Jasmin Hyde (pictured), who taught mathematics at Cranbrook, in Sydney’s exclusive eastern suburbs, was the target of an attempted blackmail by a student in June 2020.
Hyde claimed that a student threatened to accuse her of sexually abusing him if she did not send him nude photographs when she was a teacher at the school four years ago.
The boy was eventually suspended and decided to drop out of the $46,000-a-year school.
He wrote Hyde a letter of apology saying he was embarrassed and devastated by his behavior.
“I have caused a lot of pain and disappointment to you, my teachers and the school community in general, my friends and my family,” the student wrote.
But Mrs Hyde was very disappointed with the school’s response and took her complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission.
“In my experience, Cranbrook did not have a safe, inclusive and supportive culture for me and its female teaching staff,” she told the commission in October 2023.
‘That must change. It must change for my sake, and it must change for the sake of its current and future teaching staff, and the many young women who are about to begin their studies at Cranbrook.’
After the sextortion attempt, Hyde said she was taken to a cafe to discuss her concerns with the principal and his deputy.
But she was surprised when the agent allegedly suggested that it was no surprise that she received attention from boys given that she was pretty.
Cranbrook alumni include tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes, two generations of the Packer, Kerry and James media and gaming dynasty, along with a host of illustrious businessmen, politicians, academics and media and sports stars.
ABC investigative journalist Louise Milligan revealed seven legal threats were made ahead of her exposure at Cranbrook School on Monday night.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Cranbrook for comment.
ABC investigative journalist Louise Milligan has revealed seven legal threats were made ahead of her expose on Cranbrook School.
Milligan presented the Four Corners segment ‘Secrets of Cranbrook’ about the school
Dear Old Cranbrookians:
Continuing with tonight’s episode of Four Corners, we would like to provide you with a copy of the following communication, which was sent to current parents, from the School Board for your reference.
Sincerely, Martin Cayzer (OC 1988) President of the Association of Old Cranbrookians
Good night
The Cranbrook School Board is concerned about allegations raised by ABC’s Four Corners programme.
The Council has considered in detail the issues raised by the ABC and continues to fully support the principal and school leadership. We also remain committed to the path towards coeducation in 2026.
Schools hold a valued, respected and trusted place in our community. They are also large, complex organizations that deal with a wide range of social issues.
Cranbrook takes all allegations of abuse and its duty of care to its students very seriously and follows relevant and mandatory reporting processes in relation to these matters. We recognize survivors and their stories.
Cranbrook School (pictured) sent an email to alumni after the ABC program aired
No school is ever exempt from scrutiny or, when it deserves it, criticism. We offer our solidarity in the face of the complaints expressed by former staff. Cranbrook recognizes that in any large organization there may be disputes between staff from time to time and the Council trusts that the school handles these with care and confidentiality.
The Council is satisfied that the school’s principal and management have followed due processes in relation to allegations raised on the program by some former members of staff.
With respect to Travis Matthews, we are unable to comment as this matter is subject to civil proceedings before the Supreme Court of New South Wales.
Cranbrook must always be alert to the mistakes it may make and the need for our culture to adapt over time. Our duty is to care for and protect those we employ and educate, in accordance with community expectations.
As a school and as a new board, we are always learning and seeking to improve the way we support our students and staff. We must set the example for our students to follow. Humility and recognition go hand in hand with this.
Geoff Lovell President, Cranbrook School Board