The Ravenswood School captain’s year end speech had created a stir on the Internet after it went viral, but it has not received the same amount of support from former school captains as it seemingly has online. Sarah Haynes’ claims about one of the most prestigious schools in the country have been flagged as “naïve and ignorant” by her predecessors.

"The characterisation of Ravenswood as a corporate institution with profit as its driving motive, above the consideration of students, is both unfair and an insult to those who work tirelessly for those in their care," the Fairfax Media quoted Georgia Stewart, a former school captain in 2013 whose sister still attends the school, as she wrote in a statement. "I never felt as though I was unable to express myself. In fact, it was almost the complete opposite, as I and others were provided with various platforms in which to discuss issues or concerns with the way the student pastoral care culture had evolved at Ravenswood."

Sam Wright, who was the school captain in 2010, said that during her times as the captain, she enjoyed the trust of the school authorities and never felt under pressure.

The video in which the out-going captain was shown delivering her end-of-the-year speech amassed a large number of views and drew appreciations apparently for the bravery and honesty that she managed to stand up to.

Haynes said that the school strived to maintain its so-called high standard image and is very much financially motivated. In its endeavour to maintain that image, the needs of the students are often pushed aside. She also alleged that her speeches were previously censored by the staff, but for her end-of-the-year speech, she made two copies, one of which she sent for the censors while the other one was actually read out.

A Year 12 student of the school said that she is upset that her captain’s speech has wrongly conveyed the opinion of the rest of the students. Hannah Richardson was not present at the time the speech was delivered and had to see it on the Internet.

Mark Webb, the chairman of the Ravenswood School, wrote to the parents and staff alleging that the speech was linked to a bullying incident faced by Hayne’s sister. The said incident was now before the courts, and therefore, Webb couldn’t comment on it further.

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