Concerns raised after Hillcrest Christian College principal Jeff Davis cleared of bullying

Serious concerns have been raised over an investigation that cleared a besieged Gold Coast private school principal of bullying allegations, with revelations that none of the complainants were interviewed.

Hillcrest Christian College principal Jeff Davis.

SERIOUS concerns have been raised over an investigation that cleared a besieged Gold Coast private school principal of bullying allegations, with revelations that none of the complainants were interviewed.

The board of Hillcrest Christian College ordered the probe by a barrister after months of turmoil at the Reedy Creek Baptist school, including a parent revolt and a staff and student exodus.

Hillcrest Christian College: ‘No grounds’ for action against school principal

In a public statement last week, the board said the investigation had cleared Hillcrest principal Jeff Davis of any wrongdoing.

But The Courier-Mail has learned that neither disgruntled Hillcrest staff, nor about 250 school community members who signed a petition calling for Mr Davis to be stood down, were interviewed by the investigator.

The Independent Education Union, which represents Hillcrest staff, has told members in an email that the statement that cleared Mr Davis was ‘both concerning and alarming as it is inaccurate’.

Union industrial officer Danielle Wilson quoted an email from the law firm engaged by the college stating that the investigation had ‘dragged on’ and been closed because ‘there are in essence no complainants that have participated during the course of the review period’.

The Hillcrest board said the ‘independent legal review’ had found ‘no grounds’ for disciplinary action against Mr Davis.

“As you would be aware, despite most of you wanting to participate in this review as we have not been able to establish terms that are fair and reasonable, none of our members have been able to engage with the investigator,” Ms Wilson told Hillcrest members.

The Courier-Mail understands the barrister appointed to carry out the investigation has been overseas and only returned this week.

In its statement, the Hillcrest board said the ‘independent legal review’ had found ‘no grounds’ for disciplinary action against Mr Davis.

“He has the full support of the board to continue in his role as executive head of college,” it said.

The board said the barrister had been tasked with considering complaints made through the college’s formal procedures, the Independent Education Union and social and news media.

“The process ensured that everyone was able to consider their position and raise any concerns in a fair and respectful way, and have the opportunity for the independent barrister to objectively assess them,” it said.

“The board is confident that these matters have been properly dealt with and must now be brought to a close.

“We are confident that the college can now look to the future without these ongoing distractions.”

Late this afternoon the college board released the following statement: “All of the people who made complaints to the board, formally or via social and news media, were invited to share their concerns with the independent barrister and given several weeks to respond.

“A number of people, including the Independent Education Union on behalf of its members, received numerous invitations but declined to take part in the review.

“The process was designed so that the independent barrister could hear both sides of each complaint – allowing people to explain their concerns and giving Mr Davis the opportunity to respond – and determine whether there was any basis for further action by the college.

“While the review provided this opportunity, many people chose not to come forward with details of their concerns.

“That is a personal choice for each individual, and if some people chose not to come forward, that should not reflect on the review process.”