Former Victorian school principal charged for allegedly falsifying credentials

A “charismatic and flamboyant” former school principal, ballroom dancer and fitness instructor has been charged with fraud for allegedly falsifying his qualifications.

Rhett Watts held a number of high-profile leadership positions. Picture: David Caird

A “charismatic and flamboyant” former school principal, ballroom dancer and fitness instructor has been charged with financial deception due to falsifying his credentials.

Victorian educator Rhett Watts held a number of high-profile leadership positions, including principal of The Currajong School, an independent specialist primary school in Malvern East in 2022.

He was also principal of Katandra School in Ormond in 2021 and assistant principal at Marnebek School in Cranbourne before then.

He has been charged in the County Court with financial deception and will be sentenced later this month.

He also appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court last year.

It’s understood Mr Watts claimed to hold degrees in special education, sports science and business, and earned up to $700,000 over several years while holding senior leadership positions.

Former principal, fitness instructor and ballroom dancer, Rhett Watts.

In order to be a principal of a special school, the Department of Education requires that a candidate holds relevant special education qualifications.

A former colleague described him as “charismatic and flamboyant”.

“He was full of stories the entire time,” they said.

“But he was quite a divisive figure among staff.”

It’s understood claims on Mr Watts’ curriculum vitae, including some of his achievements and university degrees, were examined when he applied for a job at a Frankston school.

“Someone started asking questions and that triggered an investigation,” a source said.

Mr Watts was also a popular fitness instructor with Les Mills, and was part of the 2022 largest Les Mills Tone Class which “created group fitness history”.

Mr Watts’ nickname was the “King of Les Mills Tone”.

He held a unique role in the specialist principal school community, offering participants at the 2017 and 2018 Principals’ Association of Specialist Schools Victoria conference a group fitness and mindfulness program.

He was described in the conference brochures as holding a degree in exercise physiology and as having “a passion for encouraging everyone to keep their bodies and minds active”.

“Rhett’s real passion is for mindful training such as Pilates and Yoga; he has a holistic style of teaching which promotes physical conditioning and a release for the mind and body through exercise,” the brochure said.

Mr Watts was also ranked by the World Dance Sport Federation for his ballroom dancing between 2006 and 2012.

The Herald Sun contacted the organisations and schools named in this story for comment.

A Department of Education spokesman said they were unable to comment on the matter as it was currently before the courts.

Mr Watts has not worked for the Education Department since June 2021.