Hillcrest Christian College principal Jeff Davis taking leave for an entire term
The principal of an elite Gold Coast private school that has been rocked by recent turmoil says he’s reluctantly taking an entire term off after being asked to have a ‘sabbatical’ by the school board.
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The principal of an elite Gold Coast private school that has been rocked by recent turmoil says he’s reluctantly taking an entire term off after being asked to have a ‘sabbatical’ by the school board.
Hillcrest Christian College principal Jeff Davis has told staff he will take all of next term off.
His $400,000-a-year contract was renewed last year after months of crisis at the college including unsubstantiated bullying allegations against him and an investigation by the private schools watchdog.
He was cleared of those allegations in 2019 by an independent review, but serious concerns were raised over the investigation, with revelations that none of the complainants were interviewed.
The Baptist Church-run college was also plunged into controversy after loaning a private company more than $700,000 to commercialise a school reading program.
A $1 million deal to sell the I Love Reading program later fell through.
An investigation launched last year by the State Government’s Non-State Schools Accreditation Board into governance at the college remains ongoing.
The Courier-Mail has obtained audio of a staff meeting last week where Mr Davis told colleagues ‘that the board have actually asked me to take next term off’.
“I’m taking sabbatical leave which is an entitlement that I have,” he told the meeting.
“It’s been something that I haven’t been wanting to do but after everything we’ve done and the position we now find ourselves in, it’s an opportune time for me to just walk away for a little bit of time to refresh, to do a couple of things for myself in terms of the future of the school and ensure that we have a long-term future.”
Mr Davis said he was reappointed ‘permanently’ to the school ‘and my commitment is long-term’.
He said he had never taken a term off in more than 30 years and it would be ‘quite difficult’.
“I’ll be back on deck in Term 3,” he said.
In a letter to parents this week, the college said the Hillcrest board had approved a sabbatical for Mr Davis.
“The sabbatical will enable the Executive Head of College to research, analyse and evaluate current and future educational trends which can be adapted for improvements in student learning,” the letter said.
“A sabbatical for Principals/Executive Heads of College is an important investment as it ensures the Executive Head of College has the required research and visibility of the educational landscape.
“While COVID-19 limits the sabbatical to remaining within Australia, the board believes we are at a pivotal point where gaining further knowledge into educational trends will provide the best investment for the college to remain future focused and deliver on the strategic plan.”
“The board looks forward to the Executive Head of College’s return in Term 3 and remains committed to investing in the strategies and resources for Hillcrest Christian College to aspire to facilitate a world leading, future focused educational experience for every child now and into the future.”
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