In a statement a Trinity spokeswoman said Dr Davies has "always acted in the best interests of students. Sometimes, this might require a strong voice, which is part and parcel of the role of being a school leader"

Dr Davies has withstood repeated calls that he stand down as headmaster but this latest development significantly ramps up pressure on him to quit.

The student leaders, who did not want to be named, accused the headmaster of describing two students as a “mess”, trying to suspend another without giving a reason, and changing school leadership selection processes to make them less democratic.

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“Through constant antagonising of our year level, refusal to take our suggestions and advice on board, and attempts to silence us rather than listen to us, we heartbreakingly lost all faith in his administration of the school," the letter states.

Dr Davies’ “prolonged tenure as headmaster in anything other than a caretaker capacity would be at odds with the wishes of the community, and thus would be inherently unstable and detrimental to the school as a whole”, the letter warned.

One student quoted in the letter alleged that while he and another student were kicking a soccer ball during a break from their studies in August last year, Dr Davies stormed out onto the oval, yelled at them, and accused them of looking like a “mess” because their shirts were untucked.

The student accused the headmaster of ignoring his efforts to explain that he was taking a break because he had ADHD and subsequently took the boys to his office where he gave them a 20-minute “roast” in front of Mr Brown.

While shooting for a Year 12 graduation video the day after, Dr Davies allegedly told a school captain something along the lines of: "I won’t lose a wink of sleep over whether or not you people like me”. This led the student to claim that this made them feel they weren’t cared for.

Dr Davies also tried to change the selection process for school leaders, according to the letter, changing a four to five person panel process of selection with a “secretive method of decision making”. This involved Dr Davies conducting a single one-on-one interview with candidates.

On Monday Trinity students at a school performance night took part in a protest in support of Mr Brown.

The packed auditorium at the Melbourne Convention Centre erupted into roaring chants demanding “we want Brownie” and “bring back Brownie”. Dr Davies kept a low profile over the night and did not appear on stage to deliver a customary speech or trophy.