Ave Maria school principal Tanya Hutton has resigned following a review of her leadership style
The principal of Catholic school Ave Maria has quit her high profile job just months after she faced external review of her ‘damaging’ management style.
A controversial Melbourne principal has stepped down from her role following a review into the impact of her leadership on staff.
Tanya Hutton, principal of Ave Maria College in Essendon, has left her high-profile job five months after the Herald Sun revealed her position was under review due to complaints about her allegedly “damaging” management style.
Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS), the body that runs the school, has now written to parents telling them Ms Hutton, who had been on leave, “has decided to step down from her role as principal”.
“I wish to acknowledge and thank Tanya for her dedication, innovation and commitment, ignited by her enduring belief in the potential of every student and the mission of MACS Catholic education. Please join me in wishing Tanya every success and fulfillment in the future,” the letter from Sarah Parry, regional general manager of the northern region, said.
“She has made significant contributions to student faith, learning and wellbeing, and continuous improvement in teacher instructional practice and professional development, that have seen our students’ VCE and NAPLAN outcomes climb,” the letter said.
The letter makes no mention of the review into Ms Hutton’s leadership style.
In comparison, a letter sent to former staff who took part in the review contained no such priase for the former principal. Instead, it said the review process identified key themes including “leadership behaviours”, “relationships and staff culture” and “behaviour and wellbeing”. It notes that Ms Hutton had stepped down “after careful reflection”.
Earlier this year, the Herald Sun spoke to ten former and current staff members who described Ms Hutton’s behaviour, saying they were “treated like dirt” and “often end up in tears”.
They claimed Ms Hutton had created a workplace that was “both emotionally damaging and professionally unsustainable,” with multiple staff on mental health plans as a result.
Nearly 20 staff, including some members of the senior management team, have left the popular school in recent years.
“We are subjected to belittling, intimidation and psychological manipulation,” one worker said.
Staff say Ms Hutton also accidentally sent an invoice for a $350,000 statue of the Virgin Mary to all staff last year, while at the same time cutting subject offerings in VCE and classroom support for learning diverse students.
Before going on leave to allow the external review ordered by MACS to take place, Ms Hutton told staff: “No one is perfect and I acknowledge I too have areas where I can reflect, listen more deeply and continue to grow.”
“I welcome the review and whatever the recommendations may be.”
Acting principal Dane Calleja, who was praised by many staff members, will continue in the rule as the selection process for a new principal takes place.
One former staff member told the Herald Sun there was “mass relief that she (Ms Hutton) was not returning”.
“The consensus seems to be most staff want to stay, particularly if Dane Calleja stays in the role permanently,” they said.
“I know that past staff, like myself, feel they got some justice for how they were treated by Tanya.”
Another source said the review, that was meant to take two weeks, took six months and involved evidence from dozens of current and former staff members.
Originally published as Ave Maria school principal Tanya Hutton has resigned following a review of her leadership style
