Girls’ education expert to lead independent Cranbrook review
An expert in female education, along with a law firm, will conduct the independent review into any serious child safety matters reported to the school.
An expert in girls education will run an independent review into serious child safety matters reported to embattled Sydney school Cranbrook, following multiple allegations made by staff and students at the school amid the move to coeducation.
An email to parents from Council president Geoff Lovell said “serious concerns reported to the school will be reviewed by highly experienced education leader Dr Amanda Bell AM” with the help of an unnamed law firm who “has not done work for the school in recent years”.
Dr Bell is chair of Mosman independent girls’ school Queenwood and served as principal of Women’s College from 2013 to 2019. She is also Chair of Montessori International College in Queensland.
“Amanda Bell is well placed to assist the School in this work, having held significant leadership roles as Principal of The Women’s College within the University of Sydney, Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, and interim Principal of Kambala,” the message to the school community said.
“Dr Bell and the law firm will ensure that the review is conducted rigorously and independently of the School. They will provide advice to the School Council on the School’s response to the relevant matters of concern.
“They will also provide advice on the School’s policies and procedures relating to child protection, workplace health and safety, whistleblowing, and discrimination and bullying, to ensure these are in line with best practice.
Further details about the “external administration” for the reporting of “serious matters of concern” will be announced shortly but that it would be “confidential” and “handled sensitively”.
“The School will take appropriate action on relevant matters of concern on a timely basis, and it is expected that this external review process will be completed by mid-year.”
Mr Lovell, in his email to parents on Thursday, said
It followed an announcement earlier this week that “the School Council will … commission an external review of the School’s handling of any serious child safety matters since 2010 (or earlier as required)”.
The Council also said it would “establish, in addition to current reporting mechanisms, an external avenue for people to report serious concerns”. The reporting mechanism would be available to current and former staff, students and parents of Cranbrook, and to anyone else who believes they have relevant information, the Council said.
Long-serving headmaster Nicholas Sampson was forced to resign from his position on Friday following fresh allegations about a teacher at the prestigious eastern suburbs school, with the Council previously telling parents Mr Sampson’s failure to “disclose the matter” led to an “irrevocable breakdown of trust between the headmaster and the school council”.
That teacher remains on leave and inquiries are ongoing.
Education Minister Jason Clare has asked his department to conduct a separate review to establish whether the school was meeting the funding requirements of the Australian Education Act, “whether they are indeed a fit and proper person as defined under the act or whether there’s evidence of a pattern of immoral or unethical behaviour”.
“Now if that’s substantiated, and there’s an investigation under way … then there are powers under the act for the department to put conditions on their funding or stop that funding altogether,” Mr Clare told ABC Radio
The latest controversy for Cranbrook was set off by an ABC Four Corners episode, broadcast last week, highlighting a history of abuse, bullying and mistreatment of staff and students amid the school’s move to coeducation.
The latest controversy for Cranbrook was set off by an ABC Four Corners episode, broadcast last week, highlighting a history of abuse, bullying and mistreatment of staff and students at the school amid the school’s move to coeducation.
Michele Marquet, the much-respected head of Cranbrook’s junior school, was appointed acting head of school.
More Coverage
Western Victorian communities under threat as bushfires rage
Evacuation warnings have been issued as firefighters battle fast-moving blazes amid challenging conditions.
‘We will not be divided’: Kate Chaney slams anti-Semitic graffiti in her Perth electorate
Western Australian police say they ‘will not tolerate crimes that undermine our way of life’ after anti-Semitic graffiti was found in the riverside Perth suburb of Dalkeith on Sunday.