Three investigations continue into explosive Ballarat Clarendon College allegations

An elite private school is refusing to disclose who is running an “independent” investigation into explosive bullying allegations, as three probes continue.

Three separate investigations are continuing into explosive claims about the workplace culture at an elite private college in regional Victoria.

The Independent Education Union launched its own separate three-pronged investigation into Ballarat Clarendon College several weeks ago, but the school continues to refuse to disclose who is leading its “independent investigation” into the allegations.

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

A union spokesperson said it was surveying all current staff as well as 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,” the spokesperson 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.”

This investigation is being conducted separately to one launched by WorkSafe, as well as another commissioned by the school, after the Herald Sun exclusively published accusations outlined in a whistleblower letter last month.

The letter contained dozens of allegations about endemic racism, sexism and misogyny at the College dating back at least 10 years.

The Herald Sun has since spoken to almost a dozen former staff members who have corroborated experiencing and witnessing what was detailed in the letter – including a culture of “genuine misery” stemming from a crippling workload and alleged bullying and humiliation allegedly at the hands of senior management and the school’s headmaster, David Shepherd.

They have also told of the profound and ongoing impacts on their mental health as a result of what they claim they experienced.

It comes as the school, which ranked among the state’s top four performers in VCE in 2021, dismissed rumours its investigation was being undertaken by a former HR manager and current parent, but refused to clarify who it was being conducted by.

It also would not comment on when a report would be released.

Instead, it said the school’s board had appointed an “independent investigator” and it would provide an update once their investigation had completed.

The IEU spokesperson said, like all workers staff at Clarendon were “entitled to a safe workplace, free from bullying and any other health and safety risks”.

A WorkSafe spokesperson said it was continuing to make inquiries.