EQ probes principal's behaviour | Biloela News | Local News in Biloela

UPSET: Biloela mum Justine Christerson comforts daughter Shalia, who was upset at comments by her teacher that she should hang herself, just days after the anniversary of her uncle's suicide.

THE difficulties and stresses of running a small school have been highlighted by complaints sent to Education Queensland.

It has been claimed the principal of troubled Mount Murchison School allegedly threatened to kill herself due to student behaviour.

The school's former P&C president Justine Christerson said in November last year her daughter Shalia, who was in Year 4 until she changed schools recently and was taught by principal Robyn McInnes, told her “Mrs Mac had said that she was stressed out and should just kill herself”.

And as a staff member was leaving the classroom, Mrs Mac had said: “I hope you're getting that rope ready for me.”

“Shalia also told me this had upset her and she had cried in class. It was not until Mrs Mac spoke to her that she realised how damaging her comments were,” Ms Christerson said.

Shalia had cried as, almost a year earlier, her uncle had committed suicide by hanging.

Ms Christerson said she had sent Mrs McInnes an email explaining her disappointment but had no response and complained to EQ.

She said she was disappointed by situations where she had witnessed Mrs McInnes' behaviour towards students, allegedly including much yelling and shoving one student.

“My daughter had come home regularly complaining of Mrs Mac yelling in the classroom – very loud, angry yelling is how she described it. She also said Mrs Mac would say things like “maybe I should just retire. You're such a naughty group of children, perhaps that would teach you all a lesson,” Ms Christerson said.

She said when she took over as president, parents had regularly complained to her about Mrs Mac.

It appears Mrs McInnes had been under great stress running the small school.

Another parent, Chrissy Stone, said Mrs McInnes had called her daughter a “selfish cow” during class last year.

It was her son whom Ms Christerson had witnessed being shoved this year.

Ms Stone said she had spoken to Mrs McInnes, who admitted she shouldn't have said and done what she did. “That does not fix it and, for a principal, that is not acceptable,” Ms Stone said. “If EQ stepped in and supported Mrs Mac, it wouldn't have got to this.”

EQ also confirmed it had received complaints from a school camp at Great Keppel Island in August, 2008.

Mrs McInnes declined to comment.

EQ's assistant director-general Craig Allen said EQ was aware of concerns at the school.

“These concerns have been looked into and the department has been involved in a number of processes to support staff and the school,” Mr Allen said.

He said any reports of alleged misconduct by employees of EQ were referred to the Department's Ethical Standards Unit for assessment and investigation as necessary.

“The Ethical Standards Unit will conduct preliminary inquiries into these allegations to enable a proper assessment to be made.

“It would be premature to speculate on any outcomes of this matter until due process has occurred.”