Pupils 'bashed kangaroo to death'

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Three Year 8 students from a Victorian secondary college are alleged to have bashed a kangaroo to death with a metal pole while on school camp.

The Torquay College pupils have been suspended while police investigate claims they bashed a kangaroo with a steel pole in the Great Otway National Park last week.

A police spokeswoman said one student had been cautioned while the other two were yet to be dealt with over the alleged September 8 incident.

School principal Pam Kinsman said she was personally distressed and disappointed by the alleged attack.

"It's very distressing as a principal," Ms Kinsman told AAP.

She said the three students were immediately suspended after a teacher reported the alleged incident last Thursday.

Ms Kinsman said whatever the outcome of the police investigation, which is ongoing, the school would seek advice from the RSPCA and police before addressing the incident with students and parents.

Expulsion and community work were among the penalties being considered, Ms Kinsman said.

"Obviously expulsion is one of the options but there are many others we are considering, including for the boys to do community work," she said.

Ms Kinsman said staff at the camp offered to run an environmental project with the students.

"We are taking the matter extremely seriously, we are cooperating with police," Ms Kinsman said.

"If it's found they did the wrong thing the community is going to be deeply upset.

"This is a school with high standards of respect for each other and the environment."

Ms Kinsman said she had full confidence in the college's staff.

- AAP