A bitter dispute between current and former members of the school’s board is underway over nominations for positions on the board, with allegations of bias and irregular behaviour being levelled by both sides.

The Highview College board has engaged a law firm to advise them on their position with regard to the Corporations Act. A group of former board members, former teachers and parents is attempting to remove four current members of the board through an extraordinary general meeting.

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The first ecumenical school established in Australia, Highview was formed as Christian Community College in 1974 through the amalgamation of the Brigidine St Joseph’s College with other religious denominations.

In a statement issued to The Courier, VRQA CEO Lynn Glover stated “The VRQA is undertaking a review of the school against the minimum standards for school registration. While the review is underway it is inappropriate to make any further comment.”

Minimum standards for schools in Victoria include governance, probity, student enrolment numbers, student learning outcomes, safety and welfare of students, discipline, and teacher registration requirements, including compliance with the Working with Children Act 2005.

Board member nominee and former teacher Melinda Cameron said she is concerned by ‘a lack of democratic process and a willingness to defy the school’s constitution’ which, she says, is being displayed by the board. 

“I am disgusted that they are wasting school money on engaging corporate lawyers to defend their stance,” Ms Cameron said.

The Courier contacted Highview board chair Gillian Tattersall for a response to the VRQA review. Ms Tattersall provided the following statement:

“I can confirm with you, as the VRQA have already done, that they are indeed undertaking a review of Highview which involves a desk audit, to review school documentation, and a site audit. It would be inappropriate for me to comment any further on the process except to say that the review will include an assessment against a comprehensive list of requirements which can be checked on their website  http://www.vrqa.vic.gov.au

“Highview commends the overseeing body for undertaking this evidence based service to ensure that students attending educational establishments throughout the State are provided with the mandatory educational requirements.

“Student centred learning is at the core of Highview and we aim to provide an accessible, academic, educational option within this region; one which is based on our ecumenical Christian foundation.”