Eastside Lutheran College principal Wendy Ruback has teachers registration, WWVP card suspended

The principal of an elite college has had her working with children and teaching rights suspended after becoming embroiled in a scandal where her son-in-law allegedly restrained a young student.

Eastside Lutheran College principal Wendy Ruback.

THE principal of an elite Tasmanian college has had her working with children and teaching rights suspended after becoming embroiled in a scandal where her son-in-law allegedly restrained a young student.

The probe into the incident at Eastside Lutheran College at Warrane on Hobart’s Eastern Shore was launched last month by a third-party investigator on behalf of Lutheran Education Victoria, NSW & TAS (LEVNT).

On May 25, Nathan James Castle, a teacher’s aide and the son-in-law of principal Wendy Ruback, was assigned to accompany an eight-year-old female student with learning challenges.

What followed was an alleged incident where the Year 2 student was “restrained” by Mr Castle.

Eastside Lutheran College principal Wendy Ruback . Picture: Chris Kidd

Tasmania Police attended the scene but no charges were laid.

Mr Castle, married to Ms Ruback’s daughter and the college’s director of teaching and learning Kate Castle, had his Working With Vulnerable People (WWVP) card suspended and is not currently employed at the school.

The Mercury can reveal that in the wake of the shock claims, Ms Ruback has also had her WWVP card suspended “pending the outcome of the investigation”, along with having her Tasmanian Teachers Registration suspended.

She has been asked by LEVNT to take leave until an outcome has been determined.

A Department of Justice database search shows Ms Ruback’s WWVP card has been suspended, stating: “This application is currently being reviewed by the Department of Justice. This applicant is unable to work or volunteer with children whilst their application is being reviewed”.

Ms Ruback with students (faces blurred) at the college in 2019, when it was deemed by the Federal Government to be the fastest growing school in Tasmania in the five years from 2013 to 2018. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

LEVNT executive director Julian Denholm said the investigation was active.

“At this stage, the incident in relation to the restraint of a child is still being investigated. This is being conducted by an external investigator,” he said.

“The principal has been asked to take leave from the college while this investigation is taking place. It is important to note that the principal’s teacher’s registration has not been cancelled but suspended, pending the outcome of the investigation.

“No disciplinary action has been taken. The college is awaiting the outcome of the independent investigation.”

Mr Denholm said Eastside continued to commit to “ensuring that all complaints are managed appropriately.”

He said the college was co-operating with the investigation.

The investigator assigned to the case will report the findings to LEVNT’s director of education.

Ms Ruback has not yet responded to emails or calls from the Mercury.