Bullying, sexual harassment: Probe into St George State High School’s toxic culture

A Queensland school is under review following a bombshell independent staff survey in which it was claimed the institution had a toxic culture of workplace bullying and sexual harassment.

Workplace culture at a rural Queensland high school is being reviewed after a staff survey claimed there is a toxic culture of workplace bullying and sexual harassment.

St George State High School staff, students and parents took part in the survey which revealed damning findings and prompted an urgent school visit from state government executives.

A copy of the survey obtained by The Courier-Mail revealed 15 per cent of staff at St George State High School had reported experiencing sexual harassment and 50 per cent had reported to have been subject to bullying.

Further, it showed 70 per cent of staff raised concerns about the way the school was managed and more than 50 per cent of the staff said they did not feel not supported at the school.

A St George State High School staff member claimed there was a culture of workplace violence and sexual harassment which had led to an exodus of staff.

A Department of Education spokesman said it was aware of issues raised by staff and parents at St George State High School.

Fifteen per cent of staff reported experiencing sexual harassment and 50 per cent had reported to have been subject to bullying. Picture: iStock

The spokesman confirmed the Darling Downs’ regional director had visited the school on Tuesday to meet with staff to discuss options and plans.

He said the matters were being reviewed by the regional director.

“Addressing the concerns required a comprehensive, short, medium and long-term response, in consultation with staff and the school community,” the spokesman said.

He said the department was unable to comment on matters in relation to specific staff members but said staff were expected to uphold the “highest standards of integrity and ethical behaviour”.

Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace said she had been advised that an acting principal had been appointed at the school.

“Several measures are now underway including recruitment of additional senior leadership staff, improvements to student engagement and behaviour management, and a review of the student code of conduct,” Ms Grace said.

Following concerns raised by the community, Balonne Shire Council had also initiated a review of “educational issues” in the region.

The Council commissioned educational specialist consultants to undertake community consultation to look into community concerns being raised over several years.

Mayor Samantha O’Toole said more than 140 community representatives were consulted.

She said they expressed frustration at the school’s leadership and highlighted concerns including managing behavioural issues, low morale and disengagement between school and the community, among others.

Balonne Shire Mayor Samantha O'Toole.

“It was important that we identified what the community saw as the problems in the educational sector locally, and what they felt would be a positive outcome for their children’s education and the towns they live in,” Cr O’Toole wrote in the council’s August bulletin.

The Department spokesman said it had taken action to address some of the issues.

It includes the recruitment of several additional leadership roles with a focus on strengthened approaches to parent and community engagement, a school level review of the existing student code of conduct and identifying potential additional incentives to support the attraction and retention of experienced and high performing staff to the St George area.