Kambala girls’ school defamation case settled with apology to former principal
A defamation case brought by former principal Debra Kelliher against elite Sydney girls’ school Kambala has been settled with the school issuing an “unreserved apology”.
Wentworth Courier
Don't miss out on the headlines from Wentworth Courier. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A defamation case against elite independent Sydney girls’ school Kambala brought by the former principal has been settled with the school today issuing an “unreserved” apology.
Debra Kelliher, 60, resigned from her $650,000 position at the eastern suburbs school in April 2017.
She launched defamation action against the school council and two teachers ark Grandison and June Peakes over comments made following her departure.
The case has been resolved with Kambala today issued an apology saying: “Kambala, the School Council, Mr Grandison and Ms Peake, all deeply regret, and unequivocally withdraw, the comments against Ms Kelliher in emails sent on 11 April 2017.
MORE NEWS
Santa delivers a $51 billion bonanza
Euro partner cuts off Sydney gym founder
Sydney’s most over the top home renos
“Kambala, the School Council, Mr Grandison and Ms Peake, all apologise unreservedly to Ms Kelliher for the publication of those emails and for the harm and hurt they have caused to her.”
The apology will be sent to more than 300 people who received the defamatory emails as part of the settlement, a representative for Ms Kelliher said.
“I am pleased this matter has been resolved and Kambala has withdrawn and apologised for the damaging comments made against me,” Ms Kelliher said.
“I’m proud of my record as an educator, particularly of young women, and the work I undertook at Kambala to build an inclusive school, which focused on the needs of the students.
“I’d like to thank the staff, parents, students and wider school community who have supported me during this difficult time,” she said.
The elite private school was torn apart by the defamation court case involving allegations of a “tyrannical rule”.
Social media was divided with people weighing in on the debate, some saying former Kambala principal Debra Kelliher was the “best” and others declaring she “destroyed the school”.
Ms Kelliher claims the emails sent in April falsely portrayed her as a “tyrant” and “interpersonally incapable” during her three-and-a-half-year leadership.
Ms Kelliher was suing the exclusive Rose Bay Anglican college and two of its teachers for up to $2 million in aggravated damages, claiming emails sent about her after her departure have ruined her reputation
A media spokeswoman at the school said the claim against staff members was resolved on terms that cannot be disclosed.
“The proceeding has been discontinued with no admission of liability,” the spokesperson said.
“The apology letter and the emails were a requirement of that settlement.”