Former principal of Brighton Secondary College Julie Podbury questioned in court over students’ racism claims

A former principal of Brighton Secondary College said it was her practice to “limit suspensions”, even for repeat ­offenders of racism, calling them “a reward, a holiday.”

Former Brighton Secondary College principal Julie Podbury has been questioned in court over ex-students’ racism claims

A former principal of Brighton Secondary College, where five former students claim they were subjected to systemic anti-Semitic bullying, has conceded it was not her practice to suspend repeat ­offenders of racism because she saw suspension as a ­“reward” or “holiday”.

Julie Podbury, principal from 1996 to 2015, appeared in the Federal Court last week to be questioned about one student’s claim he made multiple complaints of abuse in the last two years she worked there.

Liam Arnold-Levy alleges he was bashed, spat at, called a “f--king Jew”, told to “die in an oven” and had “Heil Hitler” drawn on his locker, and that there was “no safe place” at the high school.

Ms Podbury said she had “no recollection” of Mr ­Arnold-Levy making any complaints or reports to the school from 2013 to 2015.

He is one of five boys from Brighton Secondary College suing the state government, present school principal Richard Minack and two teachers claiming systemic racial bullying from 2013 to 2020.

Brighton Secondary College officially opened its new Da Vinci science and technology centre, with State Education Minister Martin Dixon and Principal Julie Podbury.

More than 30 students have taken the stand over the seven weeks of hearings.

Some have reported witnessing up to 800 swastikas graffitied across Brighton Secondary during their time at the school.

During cross-examination, barrister Adam Butt asked Ms Podbury whether the school had failed to protect Mr ­Arnold-Levy.

“Assume that Liam has testified that there was no place that he felt safe at Brighton Secondary while there as a Jewish person,” he put to her.

“Assuming that’s how he felt, that would be a serious failing of the school to protect him, wouldn’t it?”

“Yes, absolutely,” Ms Podbury replied.

The former public school principal told the court her practice was to “limit suspensions”, even for repeat ­offenders of racism, calling them “a reward, a holiday.”

She said current principal Richard Minack, who was vice-principal at the time, should have been the person managing the complaints.

“He should have been the person who got things done and dusted,” she said.

“If this had been brought to my attention properly … I would have intervened.”

She told the court it was “shocking” that the “scrupulous records” she kept while principal had been disposed of once she left.

“My records don’t exist anymore,” she told the court.

Ms Podbury confirmed that the number of Jewish students at the school reduced during her employment.

The hearing continues.