Following a series of high-profile incidents Somerville House principal Florence Kearney resigns

SOMERVILLE House principal Florence Kearney has resigned after a number of high-profile events at the school.

Somerville House principal Florence Kearney has resigned after incidents including a data breach at the school. Picture: Jeff Camden

THE principal of a prestigious Brisbane private school has resigned following a series of high-profile incidents.

The resignation of Somerville House principal Florence Kearney, who has led the school since 2011, was announced via a statement on the school’s website and social media channels on Tuesday.

Her resignation comes after a reported data breach at the school last month in which a departing staff member allegedly took information from the school’s hard drives relating to donors including their names, addresses and donation amounts.

News of the data breach came on September 4, days before a school security guard was repeatedly stabbed on campus when he interrupted an alleged robbery.

The reason for Mrs Kearney’s resignation is not known, with repeated calls to the school by The Courier-Mail left unreturned.

“Mrs Kearney will leave with our sincere gratitude and with our best wishes,” the statement from the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association (PMSA) said.

“She has provided strong leadership and vision, enabling Somerville House to enhance its reputation for providing the finest opportunities for girls’ and pre-prep education.”

A spokesman for the PMSA said the association would not be making further comment regarding Mrs Kearney’s resignation.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as principal of this great school and I wish to acknowledge the outstanding leadership of the executive team during my time here,” Mrs Kearney wrote in the statement.

“I also sincerely thank the staff, students, parents and the wider school community for their support over the past seven years.”

Mrs Kearney is one of only 11 people to fill the role of principal in almost 120 years of Somerville House’s history. She will finish up with the school in December.

Established in 1899, Somerville House is a day and boarding school for girls from Prep to Year 12 and offers co-ed pre-prep facilities.

The elite South Brisbane school commands fees of up to $26,000 a year.

The PMSA statement said the recruitment process for a new principal would now begin with the school community to be kept updated.