Yes Mark, I believe it.
There are 2 High Schools in Ballarat that have lost control and let the kids run the school.
Both have a reputation for it. One of them had a stabbing last year.
Fortunately my kids did not attend either of the 2 schools.
When discussions came up years ago with other parents about where we were going to send our kids, I suggested 2 schools NOT to send kids to (as a Youth Worker working in conjunction with the Education Dept and Human Services I did some intensive snooping to which I tried to let them know they chose terrible schools and I gave them the evidence). Those Friends of ours scoffed at us for sending our kids to Beaufort Secondary College, saying it is inferior and a bush-hick school, and that we didn't care about our children's education by sending them to a country dump!
They say
they chose the right schools.
Within the first 12 months
ALL of them transferred their kids out of those 2 schools and into others, including the one I recommended in the first place (Beaufort).
None of them have ever apologised for criticising me, or said they were wrong
They came up with lame excuses like the public transport was awkward etc!
Not only are those 2 schools known for, among other things, letting bullying happen, but it also happens against the teachers!!
They are what we imagine schools in New York's 'The Bronx' and 'Harlem' to be like.
My sister was a Secondary teacher in QLD and she said she knows of teachers that give passing grades because they "just can't be stuffed with the hassles".
My sister got out and now teaches at a Uni.