The girls were ranked from top to bottom as “wives”, “cuties”, “average”, “object”, “get out” and finally “unrappable”.
Yarra Valley Grammar principal Dr Mark Merry announced in a statement today that the position of the two students had become “untenable”.
He said others who played a lesser role in the case would be subject to “further disciplinary action”.
“A number of our students have been unfairly targeted in a cruel and highly offensive online post that has caused them and their families great pain and distress to their friends,” the statement said.
“I am saddened that the actions of a few individuals can cause so much harm as social media has the power to magnify the damage that can be done and the pain that is caused.”
At a news conference a short time later, Mary said she believed the students involved were remorseful for their behavior.
“It’s important that they learn from this because it should be a learning moment for them as well,” he told reporters today.
“I hope they can move on after learning that actions have consequences, but they can move on and start over and hopefully succeed in their studies.”
Mary admitted that harmful behavior by students has been exacerbated by social media recently.
He said in relation to the incident that the school would offer psychological support to those affected, but there had also been an outpouring of informal support from their classmates.
“The boys and girls of this year are outraged and I think they are coming together and hopefully they feel that their fellow students will protect them,” he said.
“And I think this is the beginning of the recovery. This is the beginning of trying to heal through it all.
“But the damage is done, what’s said can’t be left unsaid, so now it’s up to us to try and work with them, try to support them and make them feel good that they are here again.’
Victoria Police have been contacted to investigate any crime.
Mary said the school’s parents were not considering legal action at this stage.