Andrew Schaeche appointed Mandama Primary School principal

Parents have expressed concern about the appointment of a new principal at a Geelong primary school that has experienced a string of controversies.

Mandama Primary in Grovedale. Picture: Alison Wynd

A Grovedale school has appointed a new principal despite parents accusing the education department of keeping them in the dark over a complaint at his former workplace.

Mandama Primary School announced on Thursday it would be welcoming new principal Andrew Schaeche in a few weeks.

The former White Hills Primary School principal in Bendigo was cleared of any wrongdoing following a complaint at the school.

“Concerned parents and community members” of his former school launched a petition which garnered about 300 signatures at the time demanding answers from the education department.

One person commented on the change.org petition that there had been a “lack of information” from the education department.

“Transparency is needed,” they wrote.

New Mandama Primary School principal Andrew Schaeche.

An education department spokesman said Mr Schaeche had been appointed following a full merit-based recruitment process.

“Mr Schaeche is a highly regarded principal,” the spokesman said.

A Mandama Primary School parent who did not wish to be named said the fact that Mr Schaeche had a petition against him was a shock to parents.

The parent said they were confused that the school, department and parents on the school council would think parents would approve of the choice when a quick Google search raised questions.

Another parent at the school said parents had not even been made aware that the previous principal had left following months of tension between parents and leadership at the school.

The leadership change comes after a string of controversies at the school, including allegations that one child was wielding a knife on campus, and a police investigation in May after a contracted worker allegedly asked two girls to show him if they were wearing a “crop top”.

“When the knife incident happened, (the former principal) went on leave but we weren’t told,” the parent said.

“Now all of a sudden she’s gone and absolutely no word as to why she’s disappeared.”

However, another source said the previous principal advised the school community of her retirement in term three.

Mr Schaeche referred the Addy to the education department.

Originally published as Andrew Schaeche appointed Mandama Primary School principal