This article contains graphic content.

Toronto police are investigating “a number of occurrences involving incidents of alleged assaultive and sexually assaultive behaviour” at St. Michael’s College School, according to a media statement released Friday.

This comes as officials at the boys’ private school confirmed they took a full day to notify police about a graphic video showing an alleged sexual assault on a student, according to a statement and timeline released by the school.

The elite institution on Friday revealed a “third incident” is now being investigated, but did not provide details.

In its statement, it also said eight students have been expelled and one suspended for two separate severe violations of the Student Code of Conduct.

Toronto police spokesperson Caroline de Kloet would not comment further on the nature of the alleged incidents, nor how many they are investigating.

“There are various different things we’re looking into at this moment,” she told the Star.

Read more:

How could things have gone so wrong at St. Mike’s?

The news release by police notes that officers “believe there may be other victims and witnesses and are encouraging anyone who has not yet spoken to investigators to come forward.”

The Star reached out to the school’s administration repeatedly for comment on Thursday and Friday, but was unsuccessful.

Late last week, two videos began circulating on social media sites. The Star viewed both.

One 49-second video, shot in the boys’ washroom, shows a young boy in his underwear — he appears not to be injured — placed in a large sink by other boys, who splash water on him and slap him.

Another video, lasting 22 seconds, of a different boy, shows the young teen held down by a group of boys in a locker room while he is sexually assaulted with what appears to be a broomstick.

Police have warned that anyone in possession of the video should delete it immediately because it meets the definition of child pornography.

Following days of confusion about who knew what and when the school released a timeline on Friday, providing details. The administration says it received the video showing the alleged sexual assault on Monday evening, but did not notify police, nor did it hand over the video until Wednesday, after the school completed its internal investigation.

That’s the same day that the allegations about the video went public.

De Kloet said officers from 13 Division and the Child and Youth Advocacy Centre were made aware of the alleged sexual assault on Wednesday morning from the media.

“That’s what started our investigation and then we attended the school,” she said on Friday. “We went to them.”

Asked if the police were considering possible charges for members of the administration for not reporting the alleged sexual assault immediately, she said the priority now is to focus on the current investigations and the “well-being of our victims.”

“Going forward we’ll look at all aspects, but, for now, we need to give our full attention to the alleged incidences,” she said.

The school says it received a video Monday morning of the boys’ washroom and then contacted police. That evening, they saw the other video, of the boy being allegedly assaulted in the locker room.

None of the victims notified administration about what happened.

The school had two separate assemblies for parents on Friday afternoon. The principal explained he was busy on Tuesday meeting with parents whose children were involved in the washroom incident, which resulted in the expulsion of four students that day. The next day, he said, he notified police to tell them about the other video of the locker room, by which point media was beginning to make inquiries about it to police. On Wednesday, four boys were expelled because of what happened in the locker room, and one boy was suspended in relation to the washroom incident.

According to its statement, the school has brought in crisis counsellors and security.

The administration has met with members of the Junior football team and their parents.

Hundreds of parents attended the assemblies. Some were demanding answers from administration and expressing frustration with the media attention this has garnered, saying the school is being unfairly tarnished. Some parents blamed the administration, saying it had failed their boys. Some voiced concern for the safety of their sons, saying they don’t feel safe wearing their uniform in public. And a couple of parents spoke of how their sons had been victims of bullying in the past and felt staff didn’t do enough to curb the behaviour.

The statement from St. Mike’s says the community has been left “shaken and heartbroken” and the primary concern is “the care, safety and well-being of our students.”

St. Mike’s, which teaches Grades 7 through 12, is run by the Basilian Fathers, a Roman Catholic religious order. The school is famous for its sports programs. Prominent alumni include Dave Keon and Tim Horton. Annual tuition costs are about $21,000.

“We are deeply saddened and troubled by the events that have come to light over the past days,” said Father Thomas Rosica, spokesperson for the Basilian Fathers.

Lawyer Joe Colangelo, who’s not involved with the case, says the school had a duty to report the alleged sexual assault, without delay, under the Child and Family Services Act. That’s because the victim (who’s under 18) would fall under the definition of a child in need of protection.

“I think there’s an argument to be made that they should have been off of the mark immediately and reported the matter to a child-protection person,” he said.

“If you believe that a child at the hands of any person has suffered sexual molestation or exploitation or has been assaulted, you are obliged to report and you are obliged to take steps to protect the victim immediately.”

The events at St. Mike’s have prompted other schools to have discussions about bullying and harassment.

At Upper Canada College, a boys’ private school, an assembly was held Thursday, where staff reiterated that the students’ safety and care are their primary concern.

“Bullying, harassment, and assault of any kind are not tolerated at Upper Canada College,” said school spokesperson Marnie Peters, adding the principal “has extended UCC’s support to the St. Michael’s community during this difficult time.

Anyone with information can call the Child and Youth Advocacy Centre at 416-808-2922, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com.

St. Mike’s timeline of events:

(This timeline has been edited.)

Monday, November 12

• School Administration receives on Monday morning a video of the first incident (boys’ washroom) that severely violates the Student Code of Conduct

• School begins an internal investigation by gathering in information and by interviewing students involved and their parents

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• School notifies police about the first incident

• School Administration receives on Monday evening a video of a second incident (locker room) that severely violates the Student Code of Conduct

Tuesday, November 13

• School continues an internal investigation into both incidents, which includes identifying, notifying, and interviewing all students involved and their parents.

• School Administration expels four students related to the first incident (boys’ washroom).

• School Administration informs faculty and staff of both incidents.

Wednesday, November 14

• School Administration continues investigation of the second incident (locker room) by conducting interviews and notifying families involved that police will be contacted by the school.

• School Administration expels four students related to the second incident (locker room).

• School Administration suspends one student related to the first incident.

• Upon completion of its internal investigation, School Administration provides information related to the second incident to police, and gives the second video (locker room) to police.

• School Administration updates faculty, staff, and the student body in an assembly, informing students of police directive to delete related videos in their possession.

• School releases a statement to their community and the media.

• Toronto Police issues a statement announcing that the second incident involves sexual assault allegations.

• School Administration continues to reach out to victims to provide support

Thursday, November 15

• Police inform the school about a security threat and provide uniformed and plainclothes officers as extra security on campus.

• Police respond with standard personnel required for a reported school threat.

• In concert with police, School Administration determines the school is safe for all students.

• Additional crisis counsellors brought in to provide counselling to students, faculty, and staff.

• School Administration and faculty initiate homeroom visits to provide support.

• School Administration continues to reach out to victims to provide support.

• School Administration is made aware of a third incident and notifies police.

• School updates its parent community.

Friday, November 16

• Crisis counsellors and security remain on campus.

• Security presence at the school continues for a second day.

• School Administration to hold two information meetings for parents at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.