Saint Stephen’s College principal Kim Cohen resigns amid allegations of unsafe workplace

The principal of elite Gold Coast school Saint Stephen’s College has sensationally resigned amid claims of a “psychologically unsafe workplace”.

Saint Stephen's College in the process of hiring a locum as acting principal after the resignation of Kim Cohen.

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The principal of an elite Gold Coast school has sensationally quit amid allegations of creating an unsafe workplace.

Kim Cohen has resigned from Saint Stephen’s College, Upper Coomera, with staff informed by the Anglican school’s board chair Ken Petty on Tuesday morning.

It comes after the board met with the school leadership on Monday night and Mr Petty received a detailed letter from lawyers, engaged by staff, said to outline concerns about the school and Mrs Cohen’s alleged behaviour.

In the February 21 letter, lawyer Efthimia Voulcaris, of Devaneys, alleges that staff have told of “fear of reporting psychosocial hazards and safety concerns relating to themselves or others”.

“Current or former staff that I have spoken with raised with me that the college is not a psychologically safe workplace,” Ms Voulcaris said.

The causes of that fear and those safety concerns have been redacted from the letter.

Kim Cohen has resigned as Saint Stephen’s College principal.

Ms Voulcaris goes on to allege the college did not appear to have a complaints management framework, and current and former staff had approached the Saint Stephen’s College board directly with their allegations against Mrs Cohen.

“If the board has received the same information that I have, the board is on notice that there is a serious risk to the safety of staff at the college,” Ms Voulcaris claims.

“I also must inform you that the information I am receiving also indicates that some of the individuals who are raising concerns with me have now lost faith … I am instructed that this loss of faith is also preventing others from coming forward to make a complaint.”

Mrs Cohen has been principal of Saint Stephen’s since 2020. Prior to that she was principal of The Glennie School in Toowoomba, deputy principal of St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School in Ascot and assistant principal of Lourdes Hill College in Hawthorne.

Saint Stephen's College in Upper Coomera. Picture: Nigel Hallett

After The Courier-Mail contacted the school for comment, the board issued a letter to parents and guardians informing them that Ms Cohen had resigned.

In the letter Mr Petty said: “After three years and successfully steering the college through Covid, it is with great sadness that Mrs Kim Cohen, in conversation with the board, has chosen to step away from Saint Stephen’s College and the demanding role of principal.

“Mrs Cohen worked to realise the college’s core values of perseverance, responsibility, integrity, diversity and empathy, and integrate them into everyday life of the college community.”

Mr Petty outlined a range of achievements overseen by Mrs Cohen, including an off-campus learning program during Covid and introducing personal development initiatives for staff.

He said recruitment for a new principal would “commence shortly”.

“We are also in the process of hiring a locum as acting principal and in the meantime the board and senior leadership team are working closely.”

Mrs Cohen did not make a statement in the letter. The Courier-Mail has contacted her for comment.