St Andrew’s principal, school board say bullying, nepotism claims ‘not true’

An expensive Walkerville private school’s boss and school board are under fire over allegations they say are “not true”.

Bullying and nepotism are among the claims levelled against the principal of high-fee St Andrew’s School by members of its community.

The school’s board is also under fire for failing to take action following the allegations, which it says are “not true and are wholly without basis”.

The Sunday Mail has been told that an internal investigation into Jackie Becher’s conduct follows more than 20 complaints made by staff and parents in the year since she took up the job.

Deputy principal of operations Nick Steel, who has worked at the Walkerville school for more than 30 years, confirmed he has been on extended leave since last August as a result of “interactions with the principal and unreasonable expectations”.

He said he could not elaborate on those at this stage.

Advertiser.com.au first revealed on Thursday that, according to Independent Education Union SA secretary Glen Seidel, the school board was investigating a complaint against Ms Becher.

Board chairwoman Peta St Clair then sent a letter to parents confirming it was “currently dealing with concerns which have been raised about the principal” but as they “do not relate to student safety”, Ms Becher had not been stood down.

Since then several members of the school community, both parents and staff, have detailed their experiences with Ms Becher and the board on the condition of anonymity. They claim:

St Andrew's School principal Jackie Becher. Picture: St Andrew’s School.

MULTIPLE staff have left in the past year, allegedly due to stress and/or bullying by Ms Becher.

ONE ongoing and several temporary positions have been filled with friends of Ms Becher.

THE board knowingly brought in a woman late last year who is a former mentor of Ms Becher’s to run an ongoing strategic review of the school, including its leadership and culture. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing on the woman’s part. The review is separate to the current investigation into Ms Becher’s conduct.

MR STEEL’S leave was due to stress from bullying but played down by Ms Becher as him needing more time with family.

MS BECHER yelled at a parent in front of other parents.

WHEN reports of Ms Becher’s alleged bullying were made to the board, it “didn’t respond or swept (them) under the rug”.

One parent said they had “personally witnessed instances of bullying (by Ms Becher) and have been made uncomfortable”.

“There was a public incident where a parent was publicly berated and belittled in the middle of a meeting. It was a very confronting experience,” they said.

Another school community member said: “If the board were genuine about (the strategic review), they would ensure a safe and supportive environment is put in place for people to come forward.

“Instead, teachers are expected to come forward with Jackie being there whilst simultaneously her mentor carries out her review?

“A lot of people are too scared to speak. Staff are scared and anxious.”

A spokesman for the school said it had referred all complaints to independent investigator Matthew O’Callaghan.

“The school is not aware of 20 complaints but all complaints received are or have been dealt with properly,” he said.

“For reasons of privacy the school does not comment on individual staff.

“The person appointed to conduct the organisational review was selected by a panel comprised of the board deputy chair, another member of the board, pedagogical leadership and the marketing and community engagement manager. The principal disclosed that she knew the person. The board approved the appointment solely on merit.

“The remaining claims are not true and are wholly without basis.”

St Andrew’s charges $22,890 for Year 6 students.