Education department defends new Mandama principal Andrew Schaeche

Parents at a Geelong school have said they are “unsatisfied” with the education department’s response, after requesting “more transparency” over their school’s new principal workplace history.

Mandama Primary in Grovedale. Picture: Alison Wynd

The education department has called for the “slander” to stop after parents continued to raise questions about a new primary school principal.

Parents remained “unsatisfied” over the department’s explanation as to why Andrew Schaeche was appointed Mandama Primary School’s new principal following an information session on Thursday.

The former White Hills Primary School principal left the Bendigo school after a complaint but was cleared of any wrongdoing following an investigation.

An online petition calling for answers and more transparency about his departure had garnered 300 signatures.

An unnamed education department spokesman said Mr Schaeche’s appointment followed the department’s standard merit-based processes and the slander was unfounded.

“Members of the school council, which represents parents and staff, were on the selection panel,” he said.

“This unfounded slander of Mr Schaeche is completely unacceptable and should stop immediately.”

New Mandama Primary School Principal Andrew Schaeche.

In an email seen by this masthead, the Barwon Department of Education executive director Catriona Salt explained to parents the department and the selection panel had “followed a rigorous process prior to Mr Schaeche’s appointment to ensure the most suitable candidate was selected”.

The director said incorrect information was circulating and causing unnecessary concern within the community, reiterating that the complaint was thoroughly investigated and found to have no substance.

“The department undertakes rigorous checks on all staff appointments including principal appointments to ensure compliance with Child Safe Standards, including police checks, referee checks and more prior to appointments being moved.”

A parent from the school, who did not wish to be named, said the email and meeting felt “condescending and gaslighting,” as the parent’s direct questions remained unaddressed.

“From the outset I felt unsupported in expressing my concerns,” she said.

“I was repeatedly interrupted, left without further information and made to feel as if our concerns were simply an over-reaction.”

The parent said Ms Salt said the allegations had come from one individual.

But the parent said she had been in contact with parents from the former school who had launched a petition with more 300 signatures.

“It became clear to me that the school had no intention of offering either support or validation for the issues we raised,” she said.

“There seemed to be no strategies or solutions offered to help ease our anxieties.”

Another parent at the school, who did not wish to be named, said parents were told another petition wouldn’t change anything.

The leadership change comes after a string of controversies at the school, including allegations that one child was wielding a knife on campus, and a police investigation in May after a contracted worker allegedly asked two girls lewd questions and months of tension between parents and leadership at the school.

Originally published as Education department defends new Mandama principal Andrew Schaeche