Geelong school boss to resign after tumultuous period for the institution

The chief executive of a prominent Geelong school has announced his retirement, following a tumultuous period for the institution.

Christian College chief executive Daryl Riddle retires after 44 years At the school. Photo: Contributed

The chief executive of a prominent Geelong school has announced he will call time on his career at the end of the school year, following a leadership crisis at the institution.

Daryl Riddle announced to parents in an email seen by the Geelong Advertiser that he will retire at the end of 2024 after 44 years at Christian College Geelong.

The resignation follows a tumultuous time for the school’s leadership, as principal of 32 years Glen McKeeman resigned from his role in November last year.

The school has been plagued by allegations of bullying and harassment, including claims made both from and against Mr McKeeman’s wife and teacher of 27 years at the school, Pam McKeeman.

Mr McKeeman and Mr Riddle reportedly clashed over leadership.

Before being appointed chief executive, Mr Riddle began at the school as a teacher in 1981, then served as acting principal from 1982 and principal from 1984, holding the position for 30 years before taking on the role as chief executive.

A scandal ignited at the school in 2009 after Mr Riddle’s brother Gary John Riddle, a convicted pedophile, attended a debutante ball.

Acting chair of the Christian College Geelong board, Associate Professor David Fuller, said Mr Riddle had been a driving force behind the college becoming a major Victorian independent school with five campuses, two kindergartens, a farm property and program, and a stand-alone senior art, technology and design centre.

“When he started at the college, it was a small, fledgling school with a few dozen students whose classes ran in several rented classrooms in a wing of the St Augustine’s Orphanage in Highton, which is now our middle school campus,” Prof Fuller said.

Prof Fuller said the Christian College board has finalised the Christian College Strategic Plan 2024-26, including a new leadership structure, and would shortly commence recruitment for Mr Riddle’s replacement.

“The board (has) determined that, from 2025, we will move from a structure including both a CEO and principal, to a leadership structure headed by an executive principal, supported by an executive that includes a vice principal responsible for teaching and learning programs, together with a business manager to provide leadership for the business elements of our program,” he said.

Prof Fuller Fuller thanked Mr Riddle for his time at Christian College and said there would be a number of opportunities later in the year to recognise and reflect Mr Riddle’s work and achievements.

“Mr Riddle’s faith, vision, wisdom and drive to lead Christian College to where it is today, will continue to impact the lives of many generations to come,” he said.

“We are incredibly grateful for the legacy he leaves.”

Originally published as Geelong school boss to resign after tumultuous period for the institution