Marist College Ashgrove loses long-serving staff en masse under Head of College Michael Newman
The staff turnover rate at elite Brisbane school Marist College Ashgrove has tripled since a new principal took over, with 250 employees leaving in just three years.
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A staff exodus is underway at one of Brisbane’s top private schools with 100 employees leaving the College in the last year alone.
The staff turnover rate at Marist College Ashgrove has tripled following a leadership change in 2021 when Michael Newman took over as Head of College.
In the past two years, a string of highly-experienced teachers, department heads, and leadership figures have resigned.
Mr Newman announced that he was taking personal leave last Wednesday, which was the first day back for College staff and only six days before students returned for the year.
He told staff in person and sent a letter to parents that day, but neither announcement included any explanation, and he did not say when he would be returning.
The Courier-Mail obtained the College’s staff departure lists for the past eight years, however is not suggesting that the exodus is as a result of Mr Newman’s leadership or conduct.
From 2016 to 2020 a total of 95 staff left across all departments – leadership, teaching, support, maintenance etc.
2016: 15 staff farewells
2017: 23 staff farewells
2018: 12 staff farewells
2019: 18 staff farewells
2020: 27 staff farewells
In the past three years a total of 257 employees have departed across all areas of the College.
2021: 66 staff farewells
2022: 91 staff farewells
2023: 100 staff farewells
In the past two years, 10 veteran staff members have resigned and with their departures went a combined total of more than 190 years’ service to the College across the teaching, boarding, sporting, and leadership departments.
Most of them are now in equivalent or higher roles at other Brisbane private schools.
Veteran maths and science teacher Stan Kosiek’s time at Ashgrove ended in a very public legal dispute after he was sacked following an accidental ‘reply all’ email incident.
After a month of legal disputes in an unfair dismissal case in Queensland’s Federal Court, the College and Mr Kosiek reached a settlement, the details of which remain confidential.
Mr Kosiek had taught at the College for 22 years, specialising in senior physics and serving as a Head of House for more than 15 years. He also coached cricket and rugby union and led school trips abroad. The Courier-Mail understands he has since taken up a teaching position at Brisbane Grammar School.
Bruce McPhee joined in 2013 as Head of Students before being promoted to Deputy Head of College in 2019. He left at the end of 2022 to take up the principal’s position at St Peter Claver College at Riverview in Ipswich, where he remains.
A key figure behind the College’s First XV rugby team success, Jon Fitzgerald, departed to St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace at the end of 2022. He left Marist after 16 years and The Courier-Mail understands that he now works at Gregory Terrace.
PE teacher Ben Maddox was a boarding supervisor during his 20 years’ service. He also acted as Head of Sport, Head of PE, and Assistant Head of Boarding for periods. Mr Maddox also coached the College’s First XI cricket team for 11 years and is now Head of Cricket at Toowoomba Grammar School.
The College also lost a key figure in its vocational education and training program when Peter McIntosh left after 17 years. The Courier-Mail understands Mr McIntosh is now also teaching at St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace.
After 13 years, Joshua Mulligan left in 2023 having worked as Deputy Head of Boarding and Boarding Coordinator. He also acted as Head of HPE, co-ordinated the College’s basketball program for five years, and coached multiple other sports. He also acted as a Head of House for two years. After leaving he became Head of Health and Physical Education at St John’s Anglican College in Forest Lake.
Majella Stevens left in 2022 to take up a teaching position at Brisbane Grammar School. She spent 28 years at Ashgrove as a maths teacher and gifted and talented program co-ordinator.
The College also lost long-serving head of maths Jacqui Klowss, who left after 13 years in the senior role. She is a highly-respected teacher having spoken at national conferences and also being a Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority marker for ATAR and QCE assessments. She is now head of maths at Padua College at Kedron.
Matthew Dempsey had worked as a technology teacher at the College department for 32 years by the time he left last year. The Courier-Mail understands Mr Dempsey is now also teaching at St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace.
Former student Ben Webb returned to the College to teach in 2002. He introduced Technology Studies to the College’s curriculum and revamped the campus design rooms. He now works outside of teaching.
Marist College Ashgrove was contacted for comment, but did not respond.
The Courier-Mail was unable to source a current direct method to contact Mr Newman personally.
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