Burpengary State Secondary principal, Peter Hoehn caught drink-driving

Hours after Burpengary State Secondary College Year 12 students said their graduation goodbyes, their principal Peter Hoehn was caught drink-driving in a state of ‘stress’.

Burpengary State Secondary College principal Peter Hoehn. Picture: Facebook

A Moreton Bay school principal who was this week sentenced for drink-driving to McDonald’s is said to have committed the crime after a “stressful day” saying goodbye to Year 12s.

Burpengary State Secondary College’s Peter Hoehn, 57, pleaded guilty in Brisbane Magistrates Court to driving while over the middle alcohol limit on Friday, November 18.

He participated in a roadside breath test about 6pm on the evening in question, returned a positive result, and was taken to a nearby police station. There, he returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.122 per cent.

His lawyer Jack Marshall said Mr Hoehn’s offending took place after a “very stressful day” and constituted him drinking four scotches then driving to McDonald’s to pick up dinner for his family.

Mr Hoehn was fined $800 and disqualified from driving for six months, except for work purposes during restricted hours and with conditions.

Following the principal’s court date, at school drop-off on November 30, parents of Burpengary State Secondary College students had little to say about the matter.

Burpengary State Secondary College principal Peter Hoehn.

One parent told Quest News she considered Mr Hoehn a “nice fellow” and believed what he chose to do in his spare time was his own business.

Many others declined to comment, while some said they were not aware of any court proceedings.

Meanwhile, a number of parents of Burpengary State Secondary College students, and former students, took to social media to share their thoughts.

“My son came home and told me about it,” one parent, Simone Watson, wrote on social media.

“You know what he and all his schoolmates said … we are meant to look up to him for our schooling life and he is suppose (sic) to be guiding us.

“He has a respect to uphold in the community whether he is away from school or not!”

Peter Hoehn, 57, leaving the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday, November 28, 2022.

Another parent, Priscilla Neilson, wrote that her daughter had completed her final day of school at Burpengary just hours before her principal was caught drink-driving.

“He is supposed to be setting an example for the students,” she said.

A spokesman for the Department of Education said the matter would be dealt with as required.

“The department has been made aware of this matter which will be addressed in line with departmental processes,” he said.

“The department is unable to detail action taken in relation to specific employee matters in order to meet its obligations under privacy legislation.”

Mr Hoehn was contacted for comment but did not respond by time of publication.