Mayhem on the Mountain: Fireball and fury as principal’s reign ends in scandal.
A controversial former Gold Coast principal mysteriously resigned after a wild staff Christmas party where teachers did shots on school grounds. MAYHEM ON THE MOUNTAIN: THE FINAL CHAPTER
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Explosive emails reveal a controversial former Gold Coast high school principal mysteriously departed soon after apologising for an angry outburst over a staff Christmas party where teachers threw back Fireball whisky shots on school grounds “very early in the day”.
Documents seen by The Courier-Mail also reveal former Tamborine Mountain State High principal Tracey Brose was under investigation by the Education Department after a secret whistleblower complaint.
They also detail how she was able to cancel NAPLAN tests for students just weeks before leaving the school after a destructive tornado tore through the Gold Coast hinterland community.
Ms Brose made national headlines in 2016 when she successfully sued a group of parents she alleged had defamed her in social media posts which labelled her, among other things, an “evil, nasty, horrible woman”.
She had initially sought $1.2m in damages but was awarded just $6000 in 2020, later insisting “it was never about the money”,
But the judge in the case was highly critical of the award-winning educator, saying her evidence was “contrived” and she had compiled “a calculated assessment of the assets” of her critics as she launched legal action which left one shattered couple bankrupt.
Ms Brose eventually returned to work at the Gold Coast hinterland school, but went on leave early last year after her fellow teacher husband suffered a serious injury.
Her leave was extended several times, with acting principals appointed from other schools to fill the void.
Ms Brose last week wrote to the Mount Tamborine community, confirming she would not be returning to the school, which had been a standout academic performer during her 22-year reign as principal.
Emails reveal she went on leave early last year after an Education Department investigation into a December 2023 Christmas party where staff were drinking Fireball (cinnamon whiskey) shots at the school.
Sources say she became angry at staff involved and, according to emails, later issued an apology for her “unprofessional, irrational and unacceptable” response which she said “ruined Christmas lunch and celebrations”.
She told staff she was “overwhelmed with anger and emotion” after being “triggered” by the “sheer fear” that they could be suspended, as she was in 2016 for reasons that have never been made public.
“I was triggered by the thought of any of my staff facing suspension,” she wrote.
“I barely survived suspension, most people never return to teaching.
“It (her reaction) was an emotionally reactive fear situation. Not for me – I’ll take any bullets – but for my beloved staff. You are my family, the people I care about and work with every day.
“I have the ability to see through space and time to see how one little thing could have effects well into the future (that) no-one can foresee and that’s where my brain went and there was no coming back and no rational responses once there.
“It was sheer fear, I needed to fix and protect you and was overwhelmed with anger and emotion. I was angry at me but directed (it) at staff sadly in many cases.”
Ms Brose told staff the incident happened due to her “poor leadership and management”.
“(I’m feeling) humiliated, embarrassed and an immense and overwhelming sense of loss of respect, failure as a leader and very little dignity, and sorrow for the hurt I have caused the very people I was fearful and panicked I needed to protect.”
She told staff that despite being in breach of school rules, she understood Christmas celebrations “may have involved the private and discreet consumption of alcohol” and was unaware the drinking of Fireball shots had become a festive “tradition”.
But she said it had become “front and centre” at the December 2023 party, with fireball shots flowing from “very early in the day” and being offered even in the admin block accessed by students and parents.
Ms Brose referred the incident to the department after accepting “full responsibility” and suggested she face disciplinary action including managerial correction and a formal caution.
Documents also reveal she was under investigation by the department after a whistleblower complaint about unspecified conduct. It’s unknown if the complaint was related to the Christmas party incident or a separate matter.
They reveal that in February last year, shortly before leaving the school, she cancelled NAPLAN tests to help students and their families cope with the “extreme stress” of the tornado which devastated Tamborine Mountain on Christmas Day 2023.
Ms Brose could not be contacted for comment.
Asked about the investigation into Ms Brose, the Education Department said it could not provide information for confidentiality reasons.
“The department holds all principals, teachers and school staff to the highest possible standards,” a spokeswoman said.
Originally published as Mayhem on the Mountain: Fireball and fury as principal’s reign ends in scandal.
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