But Bishop Shane Mackinlay said a culture of disrespect is a societal issue rather than just a concern for Catholic schools.

A video of the chant, which was initially posted on social media site Snapchat, shows students from Catherine McAuley College and other Bendigo schools singing the chant on a bus home from a party at the weekend.

Two boys, who were not in uniform, are seen leading the chant.

Bishop Mackinlay said it was disappointing students from Catherine McAuley College were involved.

"It's clearly contrary to the attitudes and the values that our schools stand for," he said. "At the same time, I'm really pleased by and supportive of the response that the school has made.

"It's been very prompt and very clear that they are condemning the actions, while seeking to support the students involved and aware of the very many different pressures on them.

Read more: Bendigo students filmed singing 'degrading' chant about women

"Of course it's involving our students but there are students from other schools involved too.

"It was a private function, but we care about the values that our students have at private functions just as much as when they're at school."

Students at Melbourne private school St Kevin's were recorded singing a similar chant while in uniform on a tram in October last year.

Bishop Mackinlay said disrespect towards women and girls was not a systemic issue in Catholic schools.

"I think it's part of a broader cultural problem but I'd be reluctant to say it's simply a Catholic problem," he said.

"There are a number of schools involved on Saturday and you hear all sorts of incidents at other schools.

"I think there is clearly an ongoing problem with young men particularly in our society more generally. We're directly aware of it in a particular way and will respond to it where it arises in the Catholic system."

Catherine McAuley College principal Brian Turner said the college would work with students to ensure they understood the behaviour was unacceptable.

Catholic Education Sandhurst director Paul Desmond said it was important the community did not shun the students filmed singing the chant.

"I would condemn the wording of the chant because it degrades women and I feel very saddened that any young people from any school would think this was ok," Mr Desmond said.

"However, these young people are still learning, still developing, and still maturing and they sometimes make mistakes. This would be a serious mistake and I hope they learn from it.

"We believe in forgiveness and second chances. They are still growing and learning."

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Mr Desmond said the school could not discipline any of the students because the incident was outside of school grounds, at the weekend, and none of the students were representing the college at the time.

Mr Turner confirmed no students would be expelled or suspended following the incident.

"We have to be active and proactive and formative for everyone - for the young man that has been impacted as well, who understands and appreciates it was wrong," Mr Turner said.

"If mercy is our common theme, then what happens now give us a great opportunity to respond with that."

Catherine McAuley College captains and vice-captains have also condemned the chant, describing the language used in the song as "disgusting".

"It's not our culture and it by no means reflects our cohort," college vice-captain Holly Normoyle said.

"They've termed us all as misogynistic. I felt a little bit anxious about that because that's not who we are as a school."

The college's student leaders said students should feel comfortable to continue to call out inappropriate language and behaviour.

"Going forward as a school and as a community, we're all going to be more aware of how things like this affect other people," college captain Will Edwards said.

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