Former parents calls for review into trouble-plagued St Joseph’s College in Coomera

A concerned former parent and leading academic figure has called for an independent review into a trouble-plagued private Gold Coast school, saying his son had endured traumatic incidents.

A concerned former parent and leading academic figure has called for an independent review into a trouble-plagued private Gold Coast school.

Associate Professor Daryl McPhee, one of Australia’s leading shark researchers, said St Joseph’s College Coomera was suffering from “symptoms of systematic problems including governance issues”.

Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE), which oversees St Joseph’s College, said a new leadership team had been introduced at the college after principal Carol Bell resigned late last year following controversy over the school’s response to claims of violence between students.

Ms Bell’s resignation came after she was temporarily stood down by BCE in late 2023 during their investigation of her handling of an alleged incident between a female and male student.

The results of the investigation were not disclosed, with BCE stating it never commented on disciplinary matters.

BCE did not disclose why Ms Bell resigned in December, but confirmed the Non State Schools Board was investigating the same matter.

It is understood that Ms Bell is no longer working within the BCE system.

St Joseph’s College in Coomera. Picture: Glenn Campbell.

However, Dr McPhee, who said his son’s experience at St Joseph’s was “exceptionally and consistently poor both academically and personally”, said an independent review of the school’s culture and governance structure was essential.

He said staff turnover was terrible, with his son cycling through seven teachers in one semester for one subject.

BCE did not comment on staff or student turnover and said it did not comment publicly on matters involving students.

“I don’t believe the P&C or BCE can address the matters internally,” said Dr McPhee.

“In the time that my son was there, staff turnover was excessive. This contributed to the school lacking any sort of vision and any teaching continuity and no doubt low staff morale.

“I suspect without a significant change, students and staff will just continue to leave, the reputation of the school may become beyond repair and remaining students will suffer and be placed at unnecessary risk.

“A review of the school, independent of BCE, should include a terms of reference identifying a vision for the school, clear and unconflicted governance structure, and anonymous interviews with former and current staff.”

Daryl McPhee.

Dr McPhee said he withdrew his son from St Joseph’s after three years due to a series of traumatic incidents.

He alleged his son broke his arm in an accident during a supervised class sporting activity but the school did not call an ambulance.

He said his son was left for an hour, in shock, with a small bag of ice that had melted by the time he picked him up.

“I later raised my concerns with the process, not from the perspective of taking any legal action but so the school could possibly review and improve its risk management procedures, but was just simply fobbed off.

“I take hundreds of students out in the field each year, so I am well versed in managing risk with students.

“My son was subject to severe bullying, which can sadly occur at any school, but what was not acceptable was the lack of support for a bullied child.”

Dr McPhee said his son had since done well personally and academically at his new school, but his concern was for current and future students at St Joseph’s, as well as staff.

St Joseph’s College in Coomera. Picture: Glenn Campbell.

The mother of the female student involved in the alleged incident that was subject of investigation said a number of families had taken their children out of St Joseph’s College in the wake of the episode, as well as the Bulletin’s recent reporting.

She said she had been disappointed by the response from both BCE and St Joseph’s College prior to the principal’s resignation.

“The (male student) remained in the school for three weeks following our child’s (incident),” she said.

“(Later) the (male student) was (given an) award by the school, in front of an assembly of students, parents and teachers. We made a complaint to the student protection team of Brisbane Catholic Education prior to and following this award ceremony.”

An email sent by the former head of senior school, Gabrielle Jansen, to the parents one week after the incident occurred stated that the male student would not be removed from the school.

Instead, Ms Jansen said the family could remove their children from the school.

A letter from BCE to the girl’s family last year stated Ms Jansen was removed from her role as student protection officer in the wake of the investigation but would remain at the school.

However, she is now the principal of St Mary MacKillop Primary School in Birkdale, which is also overseen by BCE.