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

An independent reveiew has found a private school principal accused of bullying should not face disciplinary action.

AN independent review has found there are ‘no grounds’ for disciplinary action against the principal of a Gold Coast private school following months of turmoil.

Hillcrest Christian College principal Jeff Davis stood down two members of staff after accusations of bullying were levelled against him earlier this year, leading to a raft of staff resignations and calls from the union for an investigation.

Hillcrest Christian College on the Gold Coast.

The college said in a statement that the independent investigation ordered in June and conducted by a barrister found that “no grounds were established for disciplinary action against Mr Davis.”

“He has the full support of the Board to continue in his role as Executive Head of College.”

The statement said the barrister was tasked with considering complaints made through the College’s formal procedures, the Independent Education Union, and social media and the news media.

Hillcrest Christian College principal Jeff Davis.

The school said months of turmoil, including revelations that the chairman Jame Stanton Lewis had a criminal record in Victoria, had made for a “challenging situation.”

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

It also took aim at “unfair criticisms” made against Hillcrest’s former board chairman Len Oldfield on social media.

“The claims made about Mr Oldfield are untrue and fail to recognise the significant contribution and sacrifices he and his family have made for the College over many years,” the statement read.

The Board identified some areas in which it could “improve accountability to all stakeholders of the College” and said the school would continue to work to enhance its policies.