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Union calls for independent review of Marist College Ashgrove

Independent Education Union - Queensland & Northern Territory Branch

Key Facts:

• The Independent Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory (IEU-QNT) has called for an independent external review into the culture and practices of Marist College Ashgrove.
• The union first raised concerns with Marist Schools Australia in 2023.
• The IEU-QNT has formally requested details from the College on how it is addressing these issues and meeting its obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act.
• The IEU-QNT stressed that Marist values of care, respect, and dignity must be reaffirmed, and that staff, parents, students and past students want to see the school visibly operating in accordance with those values.

The union representing employees at Marist College Ashgrove has today called for an independent external review into the culture and practices of the school.

Branch Secretary of the Independent Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory (IEU-QNT) Terry Burke said, given the on-going and persistent reports of harassment of female staff, sexualised behaviour and staff feeling unsafe, the situation must be independently investigated and addressed.

“The IEU-QNT first wrote to Marist Schools Australia in 2023 about a specific incident but also about a broader culture of harassment and sexualised behaviour,” Mr Burke said.

“Three years later, we still are receiving reports of objectionable behaviour and harassment,” he said.

Mr Burke said the time for action is now.

“The IEU-QNT has today formally requested from the College details of how it is addressing these serious and sustained issues.

“We have also requested details of how the College is meeting its legislated responsibilities under the Work Health and Safety Act, particularly regarding processes to deal with psychosocial hazards of harassment and threatening behaviour.

“Serious issues persist at the school and in the absence of meaningful intervention to address the issues, we have now called on Marist Schools Australia to commission an independent external review to address the cultural and behavioural situation at Marist Ashgrove.

“The terms of reference should include the capacity to make recommendations to realign the College and its operations to its authentic character of being fundamentally a good school.

“Marist values of care and respect must be reaffirmed and asserted.

“Staff, parents, students and past students all know that Marist values are good values.

“They want their school visibly operating with Marist values of care, respect and dignity,” Mr Burke said.

About us:

The Independent Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory (IEU-QNT) represents over 17,000 teachers, school support staff, principals, early childhood educators and VET and RTO workers across Queensland and the Northern Territory. www.ieuqnt.org.au

Contact details:

Contact: Elise Moffett, IEU-QNT Communications Officer: [email protected] / 07 3839 7020

Further comment: Terry Burke, IEU-QNT Branch Secretary: 0419 640 078