Clarendon College principal ‘pleased’ with interim report into school culture as other probes continue

A principal has described a process which recently cleared him of bullying and discrimination allegations as “difficult” as two others continue.

An elite private school principal says he is pleased to have been “exonerated” of bullying allegations made by whistleblowers earlier this year.

Ballarat Clarendon College principal David Shepherd wrote to school parents on Tuesday about the interim findings of an independent investigation into claims made by former staff in October.

The findings, according to chair of the school board Mark Patterson, were that “the allegations against David were not substantiated, and he has been exonerated”.

“Personally, I know that this finding is right and it is pleasing to know that I have been exonerated from these allegations,” Mr Shepherd said in his letter.

“However, I respect a person’s right to make a complaint and I will continue to support proper and due process in this regard.”

The investigation was sparked by an anonymous whistleblower letter containing dozens of allegations about endemic racism, sexism, and misogyny at the college dating back at least 10 years.

The letter was initially sent to the school’s board, and then to various members of the media, in early October.

Since then the Herald Sun has spoken to almost a dozen former employees who said they saw and experienced what was outlined in the letter – that is, a culture of “genuine misery” stemming from a crippling workload and alleged bullying and humiliation at the hands of senior management and Mr Shepherd.

The Herald Sun is not suggesting any of the allegations against Mr Shepherd or other senior staff are true, only that they have been made and are being investigated.

Principal David Shepherd outside Ballarat Clarendon College.

It comes after Mr Patterson distributed his own letter earlier this week in which he communicated that the findings from the investigation had been received by the school’s board.

He said the board “acted swiftly” in response to the allegations and took “significant steps” to look into them by commencing an internal review and engaging an external independent investigator.

Mr Patterson said the board was “very pleased” its confidence in Mr Shepherd’s leadership had “been validated”.

“The interim report the Board has received is focused on the allegations against our Principal, David Shepherd,” the letter, seen by the Herald Sun, read.

“In the report, the independent investigator found the allegations against David were not substantiated, and he has been exonerated from the allegations.”

Clarendon College, which ranked among the state’s top four performers in VCE in 2021, earlier dismissed rumours its investigation was being handled by a former HR manager and current parent, but has continuously refused to clarify by whom it was being conducted.

The school has also refused the Herald Sun access to the interim report.

In his letter on Tuesday, Mr Shepherd went on to thank parents for their support.

“As challenging as it has been, I view this entire process as part of a healthy and safe workplace,” he said.

“I have found the experience troubling and difficult. It happened at a time when our senior students were about to commence examination preparation and I was managing my health issues.”

But while Mr Shepherd has been cleared by the investigation commissioned by the school, two others are continuing.

WorkSafe and the Independent Education Union have been conducting their own inquiries into the allegations.

Mr Patterson said WorkSafe had reviewed the school’s systems to manage unacceptable workplace behaviour, including improvements proposed internally, and was “satisfied” as to their effectiveness.

Nevertheless, a WorkSafe spokesperson on Monday confirmed its inquiries were continuing.

The IEU investigation is understood to also still be in progress.

In an email seen by the Herald Sun, the union had noted research had shown staff “rarely trust management’s own independent investigations and consequently constrain their responses out of fear of retribution”.

Last month, a spokesman said the union was surveying all current staff and was seeking input from former staff through a comprehensive survey.

“We are not making any allegations at this stage, but we are following various concerns which have been repeatedly raised with us relating to workplace bullying, overwork and staff burnout, and underpayments,” he said.

“We intend to provide our final report to the school board, and we will expect that genuine action will be taken to address any concerns which arise.”

The school’s final report is expected in early 2023.