Tamborine Mountain State High School principal Tracey Brose resigns after leave of absence

A controversial Queensland principal has quit after a long leave of absence, revealing her new role in an emotional message to the school community.

Mount Tamborine Mountain High School Tracey Brose has quit her high-profile post. Picture: Adam Head

A controverial Queensland school principal who won a landmark social media defamation case against a group of disgruntled parents has quit her high-profile post after a leave of absence stretching almost a year.

Long-serving Tamborine Mountain State High School principal Tracey Brose made national headlines as one of the major combatants in a bitter and long-running defamation case which left several parents bankrupt after a series of social media posts alleging Ms Brose was an “evil, nasty, horrible woman” almost a decade ago.

The case dragged through the courts for years and after initially seeking $1.5 million, Ms Brose eventually received just $6000 in 2020 but later said “it was never about the money”.

Judge Catherine Muir was highly critical of the conduct of the award-winning educator, who compiled “a calculated assessment of the assets” of some of her fiercest critics as she launched legal action against them.

Mount Tamborine State High School has had a series of acting principals appointed since Tracey Brose went on leave. Picture: Richard Gosling

Ms Brose eventually returned to work at the Gold Coast hinterland school, but went on leave in March last year due to a family illness.

Her leave was extended several times, with acting principals appointed from other schools to fill the void.

On Friday, Ms Brose wrote to members of the Mount Tamborine community, confirming she would not be returning to the school, which has been a regular stand-out performer in academic results during Ms Brose’s controversial tenure.

“It is with mixed emotions I am letting the community know that I have made the decision not to return to TMSHS after my leave,” she wrote.

“Last week I resigned from the department of education after 35 years and accepted a position in the corporate world as head of education interstate.

“During my 25 years at TMSHS I was honoured to work with amazing staff every day who work tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of our students.

“I am proud to have been a small part of each student’s education journey for the past 25 years on the mountain.

“Thank you for the privilege and honour of being the principal of such an outstanding school and in such a unique and special community.”

Tracey Brose outside her home in 2019. Picture: Jason O'Brien

While the school enjoyed strong success in areas such as NAPLAN test results, Ms Brose was a polarising figure in the community and the rumour mill in the eclectic mountain community has been in overdrive as her extended absence from the school dragged on to almost 12 months.

Speaking to The Courier-Mail, Ms Brose said she had been inundated with support since announcing her exit from the school.

“ I have been overwhelmed in the last week with the outpouring of lovely messages and well wishes from the community,” she said.

“ It has been very humbling and special.”

She declined to elaborate on her new job in the corporate sector as she did not have the firm’s consent to discuss her employment with the media.

The long-running defamation case took its toll on Ms Brose and her family, who were at one point subjected to a terrifying home invasion with one of the school parents embroiled in the court case smashing in the front door in a chilling confrontation.

He was given a suspended jail sentence after pleading guilty to charges of threatening violence at night and wilful damage.

Originally published as Tamborine Mountain State High School principal Tracey Brose resigns after leave of absence