Caulfield Grammar refers incident to police after student approached by stranger

An independent school in Melbourne’s inner southeast has confirmed one of its students was approached by an adult on Wednesday afternoon, referring the incident to police.

In a statement to the school community, deputy principal Meg Adem said the incident occurred at the corner of Albion Road and High Street in Glen Iris, at a stop on the school bus route a few kilometres away from the main campuses.

“The incident involved a student who was approached by a driver in a black vehicle as they were travelling to school,” she said.

“The student refused. We have met with and supported the student involved and their family, and the matter has been referred to police. It is a timely reminder to have proactive conversations with students, and our children, about how they respond to unexpected encounters.”

Prue-Ellen Petsinis, head of the school’s Malvern campus, said in a separate message to parents that all classes had conversations about “unexpected encounters with adults”.

“Classes talked about being vigilant when catching public transport, walking to and from school and to always travel in groups,” she wrote, also thanking the parent who shared information about the incident.

“(It was) very unnerving but the student was outstanding in how they handled it, as were the parents and police once notified,” said principal Ashleigh Martin.

Victoria Police were contacted for comment.

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