The King’s School has launched a review into payments relating to a production of a School of Rock musical in which its props were rented out to another Sydney boys’ school.
The drama started earlier this year when St Patrick’s at Strathfield put on its production of The Next Generation School of Rock – The Musical at the Bryan Brown Theatre and Function Centre in Bankstown in May.
The school used the props and stage sets owned by King’s for an agreed fee of $1000, according to school sources with knowledge of the situation but unauthorised to speak publicly.
But when it came time for St Patrick’s to pay the invoice, school staff noticed the ABN belonged to an individual, not the King’s School.
“The King’s School paid for the sets to be made, yet he is personally profiting from hiring them out,” they said.
In response to questions from this masthead, a spokesman for King’s said: “The school has established policies and procedures governing the use of school property and the handling of school funds.
“The circumstances surrounding the matters raised will be reviewed, and it is inappropriate to comment further while that process is under way.”
A spokesman for St Patrick’s College said: “Earlier this year, St Patrick’s College rented props for use in the college musical.
“The college processed payment for the rental based on an invoice and supporting documentation provided to the college.”
It is not known when the King’s review will be complete.
The King’s School is the oldest boys’ school in Australia and recently raised fees to $52,380 for year 12 in 2027.
It has faced a string of controversies in recent years, including the departure of its headmaster at the beginning of this year.
Tony George’s departure followed an investigation into allegations he hit a student on the head with the back of his hand as well as joking about a staff member’s remarks towards an autistic boy, as revealed in court documents earlier this year.
In 2023, the school was ordered to stop the planned construction of a plunge pool at its headmaster’s residence, after a government investigation found it would be an improper use of the school’s money.
Another 2023 investigation found business-class flights taken by George’s wife to an elite British rowing regatta would need to be repaid, after it was found to be an improper use of school funds and a breach of the Education Act.
School of Rock was at the centre of a 2022 scandal when about 3000 Sydney Catholic Schools students performed a large-scale production that provoked backlash from some parents over the language and a scene in which students prayed to the God of Rock.
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