Prestigious Sydney School Expels 12-Year-Old Tennis Star Over National Tournament Absence

A national tennis championship dream has ended in expulsion for a high-achieving 12-year-old student from one of Sydney’s most prestigious independent schools.

Aarav, a talented student with a bedroom full of trophies and A-grades, was expelled from Redeemer Baptist School in North Parramatta after his parents requested a week of absence for a Tennis Australia invite-only age championships.

The shock decision was delivered to the boy’s parents, Lavanya and Hari, via email on the very first day of the week-long national competition.

“I requested he be excused for this week and they came back with… we are withdrawing his enrollment and expelling him from the school,” the parents stated.

Headmaster Russell Bailey defended the school’s strict stance by citing the institution’s 60-page handbook, which reinforces ACARA’s common goal for children to attend school 90% of the time.

In a statement, Bailey said that while the school has supported other students in high-level competitions, they “require parents to seek advance permission” for activities not school-related. He added that the school will revoke enrollment if a parent “repeatedly fails to follow the school’s requirements.”

Aarav and his parents maintain the decision is unfair, pointing out that the dedicated student works hard to balance his academics—completing homework during recess and on the school bus—with four days of intensive tennis training each week.

Aarav, who dreams of winning a Grand Slam like Carlos Alcaraz, said simply: “I don’t think I should be expelled for missing a week to go to some major event for nationals.”

The family has secured an enrolment for Aarav at a new school next year.