St Joseph’s College Coomera principal on leave for second time amid concerns about alleged student incident

The principal of an elite Gold Coast private school has gone on leave abruptly for the second time in a year after concerns about the school’s response to an alleged serious incident.

St Joseph's College Coomera

The principal of an elite private school has gone on leave abruptly for the second time in a year after concerns about the school’s response to an alleged serious incident between students.

St Joseph’s College Coomera emailed families last week advising principal Carol Bell had taken personal leave, effective immediately, for the remainder of the 2024 school year.

The absence comes after Ms Bell was stood down by the school governing body Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE), which oversees St Joseph’s College, late last year during an investigation by the BCE 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, but Ms Bell returned to her position this year before standing down again on November 8.

BCE did not disclose why Ms Bell had taken sudden and indefinite personal leave, but confirmed an investigation over the same matter was currently underway by the Non State Schools Board.

St Joseph’s College did not comment. BCE said Ms Bell was still employed,

The mother of the girl said she was disappointed with the response by BCE and St Joseph’s College. The mother wrote expressing her outrage to the Non State Schools Board, as well as the then-Education and Youth Justice Minister, Health Minister and Attorney-General.

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

“(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. They launched an independent investigation in to the schools conduct commencing on 24 November 2023.”

St Joseph's College Coomera

An email sent by the 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.

“It would not be inline with our policy or processes to remove this child or their family from the community. Given your comment … suggesting that your family will not return to the college if the other involved student will be on site, please let me know if you would like to continue with ceasing enrollment.”

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.

It also stated that Ms Bell had been stood down from her position as principal while the investigation continued.

“In respect of Ms Jansen, we have made a determination based on the information currently

available that she will remain in her position as Head of Secondary at the College pending

the outcome of the investigation. Ms Jansen has been removed as a Student Protection

Contact for the College,” BCE stated.

“Whilst you may not agree with our decisions in respect of staff arrangements, we have

determined they are appropriate. We have also communicated to you arrangements can be

put in place for your four children to attend the school without any interaction with Ms Jansen

during the investigation process.

“You have already been informed that the College Principal has been stood down from her

role pending the outcome of the investigation.”

In its letter to St Joseph’s families last week, BCE said Ms Jansen remained in her role as head of college, middle and senior years.

It said Ms Bell would be replaced by Paul Easton as acting principal, effective immediately.