State slammed over delay in probing claims of bullying at St George State High school

The state government has been slammed for failing to resolve claims of sexual harassment and bullying of staff at a rural high school nearly a year after it received a detailed document from the LNP outlining the serious allegations.

The state government has been slammed for failing to resolve sexual harassment and bullying allegations of staff at a rural high school nearly 12 months after they were formally raised by the LNP.

LNP education spokesman Dr Christian Rowan wrote to Education Minister Grace Grace in October 2021 expressing serious concern regarding allegations at St George State High School.

Dr Rowan’s letter detailed sexual harassment, sexual innuendo, inappropriate conduct and verbal abuse directed to staff at the school.

It comes after St George State High School was thrust into the spotlight this week after The Courier-Mail revealed it was under review under workplace bullying and sexual harassment claims.

Dr Christian Rowan. Picture: Liam Kidston

A survey of school staff at St George State High School revealed 15 per cent had experienced sexual harassment and 50 per cent had reported to have been subject to bullying.

Ms Grace referred the concerns onto the department for management as it was an “operational matter relating to Department of Education staff and their employment”.

Dr Rowan, however, said it was “extraordinary” that the matters had not been “satisfactorily resolved” nearly 12 months later.

This week, Department of Education officials made a mercy dash to St George to visit the school and meet with the Balonne Shire Council, which had expressed concerns on behalf of the community.

Dr Rowan questioned why it took so long for the department to act.

“Given the serious matters of student, teacher and staff safety, it is extraordinary that nearly 12 months later, these matters have not been satisfactorily resolved,” Dr Rowan said.

Dr Rowan’s letter included allegations of sexual harassment to multiple female staff, sexual innuendo directed towards staff, and other inappropriate conduct made towards female staff, as well as the verbal abuse of staff in front of students.

“These are also various other concerning allegations with respect to staff bullying and verbal abuse, along with associated cultural and school organisational issues that have been raised which are of concern to local school community members,” Dr Rowan wrote.

A Department of Education spokesman said the Darling Downs and South West region had been providing ongoing and comprehensive support to school staff for the past two years.

The spokesman said a senior executive had visited the school to provide support, supervision and guidance to the leadership team and staff on 14 separate occasions.

He said a general practitioner had been appointed at the school one day a week at the school since May 2022 and recruitment was under way for a psychologist or social worker.

He said staff from the Roma Centre for Learning and Wellbeing had visited the school on 80 separate occasions to provide capability development and wellbeing support to staff as part of a responsive support schedule.

Balonne Shire Council mayor Samantha O’Toole said she was pleased after meeting with Department officials.

“We are very encouraged by the response we received today and will continue to push for the best educational outcomes for our shire,” Cr O’Toole said.

“Council remains supportive of teaching staff who have, in some cases, been working under difficult conditions over a period of time.”

Teachers Professional Association of Queensland said it had also been contacted by St George State High School staff in mid-2021 regarding the bullying behaviours.

Association secretary Tracy Tully said the behaviour extended to threats and public humiliation which caused the staff member extreme distress and anxiety.

“It must stop and cannot be allowed to fester and contaminate their employee’s right to safety in their workplace,” Ms Tully said.