Statutory manager appointed for Yipirinya School in Alice Springs, new principal stood down

An independent Red Centre school – recently the subject of an investigation – has its third principal for the year, while a statutory manager has also been appointed. Find out more.

Yipirinya School, Alice Springs. Picture: Alex Treacy

An independent school in the Red Centre – which has been under review by the government – has had its board relegated, while the recently-appointed principal has been stood down.

Yipirinya School in Alice Springs now has a new interim principal after Shane Cumming was stood down by the board earlier this month.

Shane Cumming. Picture: File

This masthead understands he is not accused of any wrongdoing.

It is understood Mr Cumming served as principal for about a month at Yipirinya, and was first announced as taking the role in May.

Justin Colley is the new interim principal of the school, and was appointed on June 16, while Stuart Reid was appointed statutory manager on June 26.

Mr Reid, as statutory manager, is now acting as the role of the board, while members of the school’s board prior to Mr Reid’s appointment will act as an advisory group for the statutory manager.

The advisory group is also undertaking further governance training, and while under statutory management, the school will continue to operate as usual.

Mr Reid was appointed by the government, and Territory education and training minister Jo Hersey said the government “will continue to support the school community through this process”.

“Our government’s focus is on getting kids back to school and giving all Territorians the best education,” she said.

Yipirinya School, Alice Springs. Picture: Alex Treacy

The appointment comes amid Yipirinya school being investigated by an “independent assessor” after a “number of complaints” sparked a review, Mrs Hersey said earlier this year.

“In August 2024 a number of complaints were received about Yipirinya School that suggested noncompliance with some of its registration obligations as a non-government school under the Education Act 2015 (NT) and Non-Government School Registration Standards,” she said in March.

In August 2024, Gavin Morris was principal at the school, but left after he was charged with aggravated assault.

Mr Morris pleaded not guilty through his lawyer Luke Officer at his first court appearance.

There is no suggestion Mr Morris’ departure and the review are connected.

Former Yipirinya school principal Gavin Morris leaves the Alice Springs Local Court after his first mention in August last year. Picture: Liam Mendes

Yipirinya School is an independent non-government school, but is also “a vital educational lifeline for children from Alice Springs town camps,” according to shadow minister for education and training Chansey Paech.

Mr Paech questioned Mrs Hersey in parliament earlier this year, asking when her government would release the report into Yipirinya School.

“More than 100 days ago, Jo Hersey stood in parliament and promised to release the findings of the government’s review into Yipirinya School following community concerns about whether it was meeting registration standards, including in relation to child safety,” he said.

“If Jo Hersey really cares about education outcomes in Alice, she’d front up, release the review, and start working with us. Central Australia deserves more than empty promises.”

A Yipirinya School representative confirmed Mr Cumming was no longer principal.

This masthead was unable to reach Mr Cumming for comment.

Originally published as Statutory manager appointed for Yipirinya School in Alice Springs, new principal stood down