The review follows reports on Monday that a long-serving St Kevin’s volunteer athletics coach was convicted of grooming a 15-year-old student in 2015. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews was also critical of the school's response, intimating headmaster Stephen Russell's decision to give the convicted groomer a reference in court would not be tolerated if a state school principal had done the same thing. The Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority will review child safety at St Kevin's College in Toorak. Credit:Pat Scala "I think it'd be hard to have confidence in him," Mr Andrews said. "But they're not at a government school, they're at a Catholic school." Mr Andrews said the school's response was "just not on".

"It's one thing to say that you've got a zero tolerance to child sexual abuse, to grooming, to any of this completely inappropriate behaviour," he told reporters on Tuesday. "It's another thing to actually demonstrate that." Mr Russell and the school's dean of sport, Luke Travers each provided Peter Kehoe with references during his trial, which followed a complaint by then-year 9 student Paris Street, who was coached by Kehoe. Mr Merlino said the reports were “very concerning and if I were a parent of a student at the school, I would be demanding answers". “Nothing is more important than the safety of children; that’s why we have introduced Child Safe Standards and mandatory reporting,” he said.

All Victorian schools must adhere to seven child safety standards to be registered. They include: having strategies to embed an organisational culture of child safety; screening, supervision and training practices that reduce the risk of child abuse; procedures for responding to and reporting suspected child abuse, and strategies to promote child participation and empowerment. Loading Mr Russell expressed regret on Monday for penning the "limited, factual" reference for Kehoe, but also stressed that Kehoe had stopped acting as a volunteer coach for the school at the time of his offending. “Mr Kehoe was banned from the college as soon as we were made aware of his charges and his Working with Children check was cancelled,” Mr Russell said in a letter emailed to parents soon after midnight.

Mr Russell said the school “took formal steps” in response to Mr Travers' support for Kehoe. When asked in court if it was acceptable for a teacher or coach to text a student “I love you” or “kiss kiss kiss”, Mr Travers responded that “it depends on the context”, ABC's Four Corners reported on Monday. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Mr Russell condemned the behaviour of Mr Travers in his letter to parents. "The conduct of Mr Travers in 2015 was absolutely unacceptable," he wrote.

"Mr Travers acted in an individual capacity when he attended Mr Kehoe’s trial. He did so without the college’s knowledge or consent." The college "took formal steps in regard to Mr Travers’ conduct", he said. The Age asked the school what formal steps were taken, but did not receive a response. Mr Russell also said in his letter to parents that complaints against two current teachers at the school are currently under investigation, but stressed that "from a child safety perspective no child is at risk". The headmaster addressed the students at an assembly on Tuesday morning, where it is understood the customary song was not sung.

It is understood Mr Russell told the assembled boys of St Kevin's that they would be applauded if they came forward as former students Paris Street and his friend Ned O'Brien did, to report alleged grooming. St Kevin’s College staff have been rostered on to chaperone students as they ride to and from school by public transport this week. The Four Corners story sparked a strong response, with some former and current parents questioning the school's governance and calling on the headmaster to stand down. But in an apparent show of support for the school, some former students wore their St Kevin's ties around the CBD and suburban Armadale on Tuesday. St Kevin's charges more than $21,000 to educate year 12 students and is believed to have the longest waiting list in Victoria.