Gold Coast’s Livingstone Christian College principal Mark Laraghy resigns, teaching registration suspended, former Australian gold medal Paralympian Stephen Wilson takes top job

A former Australian gold medallist is taking over the reigns at a Gold Coast private school after the shock resignation of its principal.

A FORMER Australian Paralympian gold medallist will take over as principal at Livingstone Christian College after the shock resignation of Mark Laraghy on October 15.

Mr Laraghy cited mental health reasons for his sudden departure from the Ormeau school, but the Queensland College of Teachers confirmed it had suspended his teaching registration on October 14.

The private school’s founding principal, David Coates, is at the helm for the reminder of the school year.

In a letter to parents, the Christian Community Ministries John Lyndon said he was “delighted” with the appointment of Stephen Wilson, OAM, as principal for 2022.

“Stephen is married to Corinne and together they have five children, ranging from eight to nineteen years old,” parents were told.

“Stephen grew up in Sydney in a strong Christian home, attending Newington College and St Andrew’s Cathedral School. During his first year of high school, Stephen, a promising athlete, was hit by a truck and lost his lower leg.”

After school Mr Wilson started a civil engineering degree but after three years sought a practical change and worked as a carpenter in the building industry.

Stephen Wilson during the four-by-four 100m relay at the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games. / Contributed

“During this time Stephen became involved an Paralympic athlete and went on to represent Australian in athletics at the Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games where he was awarded two gold medals and was subsequently awarded an Order of Australia (OAM) medal for service to sport,” said Mr Lyndon.

OCTOBER 24, 2000 Athletes Tim Matthews, Stephen Wilson, Heath Francis & Neil Fuller celebrate after winning final of men's T46 4x400 relay at the Paralympic Games in Sydney, 24/10/00. Pic Anthony Weate.

Mr Wilson started a teaching degree in PE in 1999 and also studied Christian education and started teaching at Pacific Hills Christian school in Sydney before relocating to teach at Toowoomba Christian Outreach College in 2004.

In 2009 he was appointed as principal of Dalby Christian College and has been there for 13 years.

Stephen Wilson in 2008 training at The Glennie School athletic track ahead of his third Para-Olympics at the Beijing in Athletics. Competing in the 100m, 200m and 400m as well as the 4x100m relay for Australia. Pic David Martinelli

“Stephen continues to enjoy sport, in his spare time is a successful coach of national champions, and he continues to chase a personal milestone of a sub 20-minute 5km park run,” he said.

Mr Lyndon said he was grateful for Mr Wilson’s “willingness to leave behind the significant legacy he has created at Dalby Christian College to, together with you (parents) create an enduring legacy at Livingstone”.

Stephen Wilson is taking over at principal of Livingstone Christian College in 2022.

Principal’s heartfelt video as registration suspended

Oct 20

THE principal of a Gold Coast private school has had his registration suspended by the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT).

Mark Laraghy, who has been at the helm of Livingstone Christian College since 2016, had his teaching registration suspended by the state body on October 14.

According to a statement from Livingstone Christian College’s representative, the Christian Community Ministries (CCM), Mr Laraghy advised the school on October 11 that due to a “variety of personal circumstances” it was in his own “best interests” and that of the college that he resign as principal.

Livingstone Christian College principal Dr Mark Laraghy gave his school community a farewell video on YouTube on October 15.

“At the time he was on medical leave. We were not aware of the actions by the Queensland College of Teachers at that time,” the CCM statement said.

“His resignation was announced to the school community on Friday, October 15.”

The CCM said the school’s former founding principal, David Coates, will return for the remainder of the school year.

Several attempts were made to contact Mr Laraghy but no response or comments were received.

QCT director Deanne Fishburn confirmed Mr Laraghy’s suspension but was unable to provide any further details into why.

She said the number of teacher registration suspensions varied each year but was generally less than .05 per cent of the number of teachers on the Queensland Register of Teachers.

“Last year 33 teachers out of more than 110,000 statewide had their registration or permission to teach suspended,” she said.

Deanne Fishburn, director of Queensland College of Teachers.

Dr Laraghy’s personal assistant at Livingstone, Jenny Fleming said: “Mark has concluded his service for health reasons and on medical advice, needs complete rest.

“His final message as principal to families and community was made on October 15, 2021”.

Mr Laraghy recorded a five-minute YouTube video for the school community announcing his resignation.

Throughout the video he appeared lost for words and close to tears at one point when discussing how he was “just a small cog” in a big wheel at the school.

“For the last two years I’ve dealt with a lot of things, I just recognised just in this last little while I’m starting to, I’m starting to unravel a bit and I couldn’t quite account for it,” he said.

“So I went and saw the doctor and we kind of counted up about 12 things that are fairly massive that I’ve dealt with over the past couple of years.

A screenshot of the Queensland College of Teachers website showing Mr Laraghy’s teaching registration suspension.

“Things like my mum and dad passing away, I had three significant operations on my knee and a pile of other stuff.

“And I came to recognise that in this role as principal there’s enough stress there alone that I can’t rebuild or take enough space to be able to manage that.

“The best thing I could do, I thought, for Livingstone and probably for my own mental health was to step back and then I’ve got a good chance to really rebuild.”

Mr Laraghy said he told staff he was leaving on Friday morning and that it had been “amazing” to watch the children at Livingstone grow.

Dr Mark Laraghy, former principal of Livingstone Christian College.

“Someone sent me a text just recently, which said ‘when you don’t know what to choose, choose your mental health’ and I think that’s kind of where I got to,” he said.

“I’m sorry I’m leaving and I’m sorry I’m leaving suddenly but I’ve got every confidence that Livingstone’s in great hands.”

The QCT said a person’s suspension can be ended by:

* A finding, as part of an authorised investigation, that the matter does not raise a ground for disciplinary action. The QCT must also be satisfied that there is no ground for disciplinary action.

* A decision of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT).

* The teacher’s registration ending, including a decision by QCAT to cancel the teacher’s registration.

Follow @emilytoxward