Independent Education Union questions thoroughness of Hillcrest Christian College review

An education union has questioned the thoroughness of an investigation into bullying complaints against the principal of an embattled Gold Coast school.

Independent Education Union state secretary Terry Burke says a thorough investigation should remain a priority at Hillcrest Christian College.

THE private schools union has questioned the thoroughness of an investigation into bullying complaints against the principal of an embattled Gold Coast Christian college, saying it has ‘grave concerns’ about the process.

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

Independent Education Union state secretary Terry Burke has called for a fresh ‘genuinely independent’ probe into allegations involving Hillcrest Christian College principal Jeff Davis after a school board-initiated investigation gave him the all-clear.

Hillcrest Christian College principal Jeff Davis.

The Hillcrest board ordered the investigation by a barrister in August after months of turmoil at the Baptist Church-run college, including bullying complaints, senior staff suspensions and a staff and student exodus.

Last week, the board announced that the investigation had cleared Mr Davis of any wrongdoing and said he had its full support in the $400,000-plus a year role as “executive head of college’.

In a letter to the union, the board’s solicitors admitted that none of the complainants had been interviewed and after ‘multiple attempts’ to progress the investigation, the board had instructed ‘that the time has come to bring the review to a close’.

Mr Burke has now written to union members outlining his concerns about the investigation.

“Our union attempted repeatedly to facilitate the participation of members who had direct evidence and relevant information for this review,” he wrote in a briefing obtained by The Courier-Mail.

“We sought details of the terms of reference of the investigation. We specifically sought to have interviews arranged directly with the appointed investigator to maintain the integrity of the review.

“We are also aware of members, including through direct request made by the union to the college’s solicitors, asking to be involved because they had information that would be directly relevant to such a review.

“The Board’s solicitors declined each of these reasonable requests. Even a direct request to the independent barrister for members to be interviewed failed because the review was discontinued before any such interviews could occur.

“We hold grave concerns about the manner in which these issues have been addressed, and the impact they have had on both our members and the college community.”

Mr Burke questioned whether there was a ‘potential conflict of interest’ by the college solicitors, who previously reviewed the complaints against Mr Davis, now acting as a ‘gatekeeper’ to the independent investigator.

“Members of the college community are entitled to express their concerns about the ongoing situation at the college and until they are satisfied that all matters are resolved, it is proper that members of the community seek answers and explanation and action as appropriate,” he said.

“A thorough and wide-ranging investigation … should remain an urgent and fundamental priority at the College.

“We hope that the Board will see their way clear to act in a manner that offers more adequate explanation and protection for college staff and the broader college community.”