Why Woodleigh School sent new principal David Baker ‘on leave’ after tutor sex assault scandal
Woodleigh School’s board sent new principal David Baker on leave for one week, after a tutor was jailed for sexually assaulting a student at Gippsland Grammar, the school he previously worked. Here’s why.
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New Woodleigh School principal David Baker was sent on leave for a week so the school board could satisfy itself about his leadership at Gippsland Grammar, after a tutor was jailed for sexually assaulting an underage student at the school last year.
The Woodleigh board, after an arduous week of discussions and investigations, unanimously backed Mr Baker, conceding not everyone will agree with the decision.
Mr Baker started in second term at Woodleigh but due to COVID-19 had little face-to-face contact with the school community.
He said told Woodleigh community via a video message there were lessons learnt from the Gippsland Grammar incident.
“This has been a very challenging time for many people and none more so than the student involved and her family and my thoughts are with them,” he said.
“While I cannot change what happened, I will have to live with it happening while I was principal at the school.”
“This makes me even more determined to ensure that it never happens at Woodleigh,” he said.
“I want to reassure you that I acted at all times on any information I had in front of me throughout the year.”
On April 23, gap year tutor Tristan Vanderwatt, now aged 21, was sentenced in the County Court for two counts of sexual penetration of a child under 16.
The court heard allegations the tutor had been grooming students via social media apps Snapchat and House party before his behaviour escalated.
In April last year, he asked a student to come to his room for a “cuddle”, in June he allegedly crashed a school car while drunk and in December his wrongdoings were revealed.
“As with every life experience we have in our lives there are lessons learnt and I will bring these to Woodleigh to further strengthen our already strong child safe procedures and practices,” Mr Baker said.
“I want to reassure each of you that your child’s safety is at the forefront of my mind in everything I do and very aspect of my work.”
Langwarrin South Woodleigh school board chair Dr Vanessa Gabriel last week sent a video to families outlining the board’s response to the court case in late April.
She said the search for the new principal began last July to replace Jonathan Walter, who has since moved to Carey Grammar.
The school enlisted a leading recruitment agency and, on checking with referees and doing their own investigations, was delighted to appoint Mr Baker in October.
Dr Gabriel said Mr Baker, who was appointed but had not started the new job, informed her of the Gippsland Grammar assault.
“David informed me of this immediately. Of course, I was very concerned. I am a paediatrician and most days I have to make judgments about children’s safety and welfare,” she said.
“The board and I were completely satisfied that David had followed the correct procedure in line with child safety standards. He took the correct actions.”
Dr Gabriel said the reports of the April court proceedings gave the board reason to “pause”.
“There was complexity in the summation, We needed to clarify,” she said.
“I consulted with our board and sought legal advice regarding the best way forward and we determined that to understand fully, we needed some time.
“We were in a difficult place to pause. The media had covered the court case which, by its very nature is written to be sensational, which naturally brought much discussion and concern in our community.
“It is a dangerous process to make judgment calls solely based on media coverage.”
The board sent Mr Baker on leave while is investigated the issue, consulting with lawyers, stakeholders, staff, families and independent Schools Victoria.
Mr Baker had to address the board in early May.
“We grappled with many issues and outcomes. Child safety and welfare has been a core consideration in our process over the past week. Child safety at Woodleigh must be front and centre. Responsibility ultimately lies with the board,” she said.
“As a result of a thorough investigation a unanimous decision is that David Baker will continue to lead our school and we look forward to him returning to work.”
Mr Baker returned to work last Tuesday.
Dr Gabriel said some people wouldn’t agree with the decision but based the board’s process, she was confident it was right for the school.
She said Mr Baker had a tough start and despite the inability to connect with the community, the school was happy with his performance and that he was getting great feedback.
“We fully support David and know he will be an outstanding principal and leader,” Dr Gabriel said.
“We ask that you also give your full support to David.”
Mr Vanderwatt will serve about 20 months of the three years sentence in Australia, before being extradited to South Africa.
Dr Gabriel told the Herald Sun yesterday that she had not been able to access the transcript of the court case at this stage.
“The community response to the video has been very positive. A small number of community members have asked further questions which we have answered.”
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