Brindabella Christian College is facing a staff exodus as it waits on a decision about its future. Photo: Michelle Kroll
Staff at the troubled Brindabella Christian College have called on all board members of the private Lyneham-based school to resign as dozens of their colleagues vote with their feet ahead of an imminent decision on its future from ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry.
The staff, all Independent Education Union members, wrote to the board of Brindabella Christian Education Ltd last week saying it had habitually failed to meet its financial obligations and that the antagonistic leadership of chair Greg Zwajgenberg was driving staff away from the school and alienating the school community.
The school reform group, Reform BCC, backed the staff members and also called for regulatory intervention to prevent directors from having access to school funds in order to safeguard students’ education in 2025.
The letter said there had been an alarming number of resignations, and it is understood that more than 30 and possibly 40 staff had handed in their notices.
The school website lists 20 vacancy notices across teaching and non-teaching staff, with some for multiple casual teacher roles.
“Therefore, at this time, we seek the immediate resignation of current board members and that constitutional changes are made to allow a new governance structure to be implemented, in consultation with government entities and the college community,” the letter said.
Ms Berry is expected to announce before Christmas what regulatory action will be taken, if any, against the school over ongoing governance and financial breaches. The school could lose its registration and funding, although this is unlikely given it has more than 1200 students enrolled.
In September, she demanded BCEL show proof of the school’s financial viability and governance standards.
The Registrar and Registration Standards Advisory Board has been weighing BCEL’s response and liaising with the Australian Government, which provides $10 million a year in funding.
The letter said staff entitlements such as superannuation had not been paid on time, leave had been incorrectly calculated, and salaries had been paid late. It is understood that the September quarter super payment, due on 28 September, was not paid until 4 December.
The school also was an outlier in negotiations over a new pay agreement. Unlike other Christian schools, it did not provide an interim pay increase and kept staff in the dark about the progress of the talks.
“The actions of the BCEL board have directly contributed to the alarming number of resignations we are seeing in our college, further impacting our financial and educational viability and burdening staff wellbeing,” the letter said.
“This is not symptomatic of disloyalty; they are valued colleagues many of whom are frustrated by the financial uncertainty and the hostile tone exhibited when concerns are raised.”
The letter said staff “strongly object” to board members’ claims that the media attention, litigation and community concern were “the result of a ‘culture war’ aimed at Christianity in general, and Brindabella Christian College in particular”.
“It is precisely this antagonistic and dismissive attitude, under the leadership of Greg Zwajgenberg, which has fuelled negativity and the breakdown of relationships within and beyond the college community, leading to increased economic and psychosocial pressures on staff,” the letter said.
Last week, Mr Zwajgenberg alleged on social media a four-year vendetta against the school fuelled by people with personal agendas. He attacked Ms Berry for allegedly lying about working with the school through its issues and making statements in the media without talking to the school first.
He said the school was a victim of its own success and it had complied with every requirement, only to have these actions “weaponised” against it.
The school’s reform group wrote to Ms Berry last week, saying it was increasingly concerned about Mr Zwajgenberg’s persecutory rhetoric, which failed to address governance and financial issues.
“We are concerned that his ongoing messaging and disinformation campaign may further negatively affect the viability of the school as well as the wellbeing of students, parents and staff at BCC,” Reform BCC said.
Today (18 December), Reform BCC released a statement saying it supported the staff members’ call for the immediate removal of all current board members and constitutional reform.
“Without these measures, we believe the school is no longer viable,” it said.
“Our community association commends the bravery of teachers and staff in speaking out despite the personal risks they face. Their stand against a long-standing governance culture that has failed to provide a safe and secure environment for staff and families highlights the urgent need for change.
“To safeguard students’ education next year, we urge a ban on directors’ access to school funds and immediate intervention from regulatory and oversight bodies, including the ACNC [the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission], ATO, ASIC, the school’s lender, the NAB, and education authorities.”
The school has announced a new principal to replace Keturah Jones, who left in August. He is Peter Reuben, who was previously been District Principal of One School Global Australia, a school system established by members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, previously known as the Exclusive Brethren.
Mr Reuben also taught and was registrar at the King’s School in Parramatta for more than 13 years.
Comment was sought from Mr Zwajgenberg, but he only provided an off-the-record response.
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