School breaks silence on St Paul’s principal axing, begs for calm

An attempt by St Paul’s School and the Anglican Church to return to “business as usual” after the shock axing of its popular principal has fallen on deaf ears with furious parents.

St Pauls School at Bald Hill. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

An attempt by St Paul’s School to quell dissent and return to “business as usual” after the shock axing of popular principal Paul Browning by the Anglican Church has fallen on deaf ears with furious parents.

At lunchtime on Thursday, Nigel Grant, executive director of faith and community, emailed the school community, calling for calm.

Mr Grant said while news of Dr Browning’s removal was “distressing to process and difficult to understand, as a school we are trying our best to adopt a ‘business as usual’ approach”.

“There was a special assembly conducted this morning for all secondary school students where I addressed the cohort and offered additional counselling support services,” he said.

“I note that there were elements of low-level disruption among some students and even some parents this morning.”

Mr Grant reminded parents accessing the campus, beyond the carparks, that they needed to sign in with reception.

“I’d also ask for your support in helping us get through the final two days of Term 3 with as much calmness as possible.”

St Paul’s headmaster Paul Browning has been axed. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

One parent returned fire, and in a reply to Mr Grant – and seen by The Courier-Mail – said: “How dare you say it is ‘business as usual’. It is only business as usual if Paul is the headmaster beyond tomorrow. And, if ‘the wellbeing and education of the young people at St Paul’s’ is your primary concern then don’t act like nothing has happened and try to sweep this under the rug; that is exactly the sort of mentality that causes further trauma,” the parent said.

“Under the Peaceful Assembly Act 1992, we have the right to assemble peacefully with others in a public place. If that means outside of the school, that is what we will do.”

The parent said there had been no respect accorded by the Anglican Schools Commission – which oversees the running of school and is chaired by Bishop Jeremy Greaves.

“It is not our fault this has been handled appallingly and what other avenue do we have if the ASC, Jeremy Greaves and the Anglican Diocese are not listening to us and our concerns?”

In Mr Grant’s email to the school community, he said he appreciated the news of Dr Browning’s departure “created a sense of both shock and grief in your households”.

“It has been very difficult to process for all of us here at school.

“Paul is a wonderful headmaster and exceptional leader, who I am proud to call my friend. It is a privilege to work alongside him and I am deeply grieved at the news that he will not be able to see out the remainder of the school year.”

Mr Grant added: “Above all, however, I want to reassure you that all the staff at St Paul’s School remain steadfastly committed to providing an education worth having for all the children here. The wellbeing and education of the young people at St Paul’s is our primary concern as staff, and we pledge to support them however we can.

“We hope to have some more information about what the future looks like as Term 4 nears but for now, if you have any questions, concerns or any other communications, please direct them to the Anglican Schools Commission.”

Dr Browning has declined to comment further.

The Anglican Church, which has been besieged by complaints from parents, staff and students over the decision to axe Dr Browning, has also written to the school community.

Bishop Jeremy Greaves, in his capacity as chair of the Anglican Schools Commission which oversees the running of the Bald Hills school, said: “The upset and confusion of the last two days at St Paul’s is deeply regrettable”.

“It is a situation that was not wished for nor deserved by the school community.”

Bishop Greaves said the decision not to extend Dr Browning’s contract was made by the ASC earlier this year and Dr Browning was informed in March.

“Dr Browning was understandably unhappy and sought to challenge the decision. This has prolonged the process. Such as (sic) decision was not made lightly. There was a lengthy and broad consultative process which sought the views of a range of education experts and leaders within the church.”

St Paul's School at Bald Hills. Picture: Richard Walker

He said the decision not to renew Dr Browning’s contract was difficult. “Essentially it was about recognition of the fact that the relationship between employer and employee had broken, making Dr Browning’s employment untenable.

“For some time there had been a drift in alignment between the leadership of the school and the ASC.

“Disagreement around policy and procedures along with other more fundamental differences in purpose and vision for the school, contributed to this.”

He said the handling of compensation for sexual abuse survivors was not part of contract discussions with Dr Browning.

“To suggest that it has played a part is disingenuous and a distraction. It is not appropriate to go into further detail about what should be confidential matters.”

Bishop Greaves said the school council was included in the process of deciding Dr Browning’s contract.

“The school council was disbanded in August this year on the recommendation of its chair [David Ruthven, rector of North Pine Anglican Church] who advised that the council was no longer working harmoniously and productively.”

He said the Anglican Church and the ASC want the very best for St Paul’s: “Why ever would we not!”

“As with any organisation, the needs of the school change over time and leadership should be renewed to ensure the necessary perspective and energy for the future. We acknowledge that Dr Browning has achieved many milestones during his 15 years at the school. His passion, creativity and innovation has led to the opening of the Centre for Realms of Thinking.

“But we also know that even successful journeys must eventually reach their conclusion, and we wish to thank Dr Browning for his service and contribution during his time at St Paul’s.

“Next term Mr Simon Gipson OAM will be interim principal while we undertake the search for a permanent head. Mr Gipson has a reputation as an outstanding educator and experienced principal from Victoria. We will communicate more about Mr Gipson in coming weeks. In the meantime, I thank you for your patience and understanding at this difficult time.”

Consultant to step in after high-profile principal axed

An educational consultant from Victoria will step in as interim principal of the prestigious St Paul’s School in Brisbane after the shock axing by the powerful Anglican Church of long-serving headmaster Paul Browning.

Simon Gipson, a self-employed consultant and former head of a Melbourne Grammar School – which has fees of $36,000 a year – will begin at the Bald Hills school in Term 4.

It comes after the national award-winning principal Dr Browning was sensationally sacked by the Church and officially finishes up on Friday after a “spectacular implosion” of his relationship with Anglican Bishop Jeremy Greaves and the Anglican Schools Commission (ASC), of which he is chair.

St Paul's Anglican School at Bald Hills. Picture: Richard Walker

The commission has oversight of St Paul’s as well as other Queensland schools including Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie), The Southport School (TSS) and St Hilda’s.

As The Courier-Mail reported exclusively, Dr Browning was ousted amid allegations of a “toxic clash” with the Church, including over payment of compensation to historic victims of child sexual abuse.

Axed St Paul’s principal Paul Browning. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

The school council – which had unanimously endorsed Dr Browning’s contract renewal for another five years from 2024 – was also removed by the Church.

A spokesperson for the Anglican Church Southern Queensland said Mr Gipson was “an outstanding educator and experienced principal from Victoria”.

Mr Gipson was headmaster of St Michael’s Grammar School in St Kilda for 18 years until 2017.

In 2018, he was appointed CEO of The Song Room, a national not-for-profit organisation delivering professional mentoring programs in arts learning to teachers in high needs communities.

Since 2020, he has been an independent consultant supporting schools and educational organisations – particularly in leadership development, principal coaching and mentoring, and organisational restructuring.

In 2020 Mr Gipson was conferred with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for “services to secondary education”.