Child protection officer suspended at St Andrews Christian College

A popular primary principal and child safety officer at St Andrews Christian College has been suspended by the teaching regulator.

St Andrews Christian College in Wantirna South.

A popular primary principal and child safety officer at a leading Wantirna private school has been suspended by the teaching regulator.

Yvonne Hughes, Head of Primary at St Andrews Christian College, was suspended on an interim basis by the Victorian Institute of Teaching on March 11.

The VIT can suspend teachers on an interim basis while they investigate allegations.

St Andrews Christian College child protection officer Yvonne Hughes.

Ms Hughes was the child protection officer for the school and the first port of call for students or parents who felt unsafe.

Principal Catriona Wansbrough said that prior to Ms Hughes’ suspension, “the College had already taken steps to ensure that the Head of Primary’s ongoing employment did not pose a risk to students”.

St Andrews Christian College, which has a mission of teaching children “biblical truth”, charges more than $11,000 a year for year 12.

Board meeting minutes from August 2021 note that the the school was pleased that Ms Hughes had the child protection role “and takes it seriously”.

School documents note that parents have been encouraged “to contact Ms Hughes if they have any concern about child safety at St Andrews Christian College or are concerned about the safety of their child or any other child in the College”.

“Students are also encouraged to contact Ms Hughes if anyone makes them feel uncomfortable, or they feel unsafe at any time,” the website says

Ms Wansbrough said student safety “remains a paramount consideration at St Andrews Christian College”.

“The College acknowledges that the Victorian Institute of Teaching has suspended the Head of Primary on an interim basis,” she said,

“The College is aware of the grounds on which the interim suspension was based,” she said.

“The College will continue to cooperate with VIT, and proceed with its own inquiries when permitted to do so.”

One parent who did not want to be named said she “had not heard anything about the suspension”.

“It’s very shocking as we’ve known Vonnie for years,” she said.

Ms Hughes is the ninth teacher to be listed on the VIT register of disciplinary action in 2022