Queensland Teachers Union say principals face ‘unmanageable workloads’

The state’s teaching union says Gold Coast principals face “under-appreciated amounts” of responsibility amid one remaining on mysterious leave and another’s sudden exit for health reasons.

Queensland Teachers Union president Cresta Richardson. Picture: Supplied

The state’s teaching union says Gold Coast principals are facing “unmanageable workloads” and an often “under-appreciated” amount of responsibility.

It comes as a principal at a Gold Coast primary school has gone on mysterious leave while another has suddenly left the role.

Queensland Teachers Union president Cresta Richardson said the state’s principals were “merit-appointed, highly trained professionals who have a vast and often under-appreciated amount of responsibility and accountability”.

“(We are) currently negotiating the salaries of our teachers and school leaders in the climate of growing occupational violence, chronic teacher shortages, unmanageable workload and inclusion of complex students in mainstream classrooms,” she said.

Caningeraba State School principal Dave Hartley went on administrative leave in term four last year, just five months into the role.

He was previously principal at Pimpama State Primary College but was facing a “considerable pay cut” due to a decline in enrolments.

Parents, who claimed their school has been “cast adrift” since Mr Hartley’s absence, have launched a petition for him to return.

Dave Hartley. Picture: Jerad Williams

Hartley is also an award-winning author and co-wrote a series of children’s books series about cricket, ‘Howzat Pat’, with Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins.

Coombabah State School principal Murray Gleadhill announced on May 23 he would retire after 12 years in the role and 36 years in the education industry.

In a letter to parents, Mr Gleadhill said doctors discovered he had a severely blocked artery in his heart, which he described as “fairly sobering news”.

“After much deliberation, considering my family history and the pace, workload, and stress of the role, which I have enjoyed immensely, I have made the very difficult decision to finish my career to focus on my future health,” he wrote.

Murray Gleadhill at the Gold Coast Australian of the Year Awards in 2024. Picture: Portia Large.

Ms Richardson said teachers deserved the right to disconnect and privacy when not at work.

“School communities of engaged parents and caregivers are an essential component of ensuring students succeed with their education,” she said.

“Teachers and school leaders are employed to educate and guide students, not be the subject of criticism, rumours, and ridicule on social media pages.”

An education department spokesman said it was committed to reducing the burden of administrative red tape on teachers and principals.

“Our red tape reduction initiatives will stop, reduce, clarify or refine activities and

requirements that increase teachers’ and school leaders’ workloads,” he said.

“We have already taken action to reduce duplicative data entry, set clear expectations for parent contact, streamline procurement and purchasing and improve teacher recruitment.”

“As at May 2025, the department has a vacancy rate of approximately two per cent of the teaching workforce.”

Originally published as Queensland Teachers Union say principals face ‘unmanageable workloads’