Key Takeaways:
- Yipirinya school, one of Australia’s oldest independent Indigenous schools, is facing a crisis after its former principal was found guilty of physically assaulting four students.
- The school has been under statutory management for the second time in five years due to governance concerns and is facing redundancies of 20 staff members.
- An independent investigation found "serious issues" with the school’s governance arrangements, including suspected non-compliance with anti-discrimination legislation and a culture of bullying.
- The school community is warning that the redundancies would cause the school to "collapse" and is calling for the government to intervene.
- The federal government has given the school a two-year extension to repay its debt, but the school is still facing significant challenges.
Introduction to the Crisis
The Yipirinya school, located near Alice Springs, is one of Australia’s oldest independent Indigenous schools. However, it is currently facing a crisis after its former principal, Gavin Morris, was found guilty of physically assaulting four students. The school has been under statutory management for the second time in five years due to governance concerns, and it is now facing the redundancies of 20 staff members. This has led to warnings from the school community that the school will "collapse" if the redundancies go ahead.
The Former Principal’s Misconduct
Gavin Morris was appointed as the principal of Yipirinya school in October 2021, while the school was under statutory administration due to debt. However, his tenure was marked by controversy, and he was charged with five counts of physically assaulting students between eight and 13 years of age. The incidents were alleged to have occurred in 2023, and Morris pleaded not guilty. However, he was found guilty of four of the five counts in October this year, which included choking one student, putting another in a choke hold, and painfully grabbing students’ ears. The court also heard that Morris directed racial slurs at students during two of the incidents.
Governance Concerns
An independent investigation into the school, conducted by George Zapcev, found "serious issues" with the school’s governance arrangements. The investigation raised concerns about the school council’s decision to approve an $85,000 pay increase to Morris without a clear rationale, as well as the approval of payments for staff cars and private accommodation from school funds. The investigation also found that Morris had employed unqualified staff and had directed staff to enrol children with high levels of disability "likely beyond the capacity of the school to meet their specific needs" to boost enrolment numbers and funding. Furthermore, the investigation found more than 60 formal complaints of bullying in the workplace in 2024, which suggested a culture that "does not reflect a healthy and safe work environment".
Consequences of the Crisis
The school is now facing significant consequences as a result of the crisis. The current statutory manager, Stuart Reid, has announced that up to 20 employees will be made redundant to ensure the school’s "long-term viability". However, the school community is warning that the redundancies will cause the school to "collapse". The school’s enrolments have already halved to 186 in 2025, placing Yipirinya $3.7m in debt. The Australian government provides most of the funding for non-government schools, and the NT government provides the remainder, with funding calculated according to enrolment numbers.
Calls for Intervention
The school community is calling for the government to intervene to prevent the redundancies and provide emergency funding to stabilize the school’s bottom line. A public letter on behalf of Yipirinya staff warned that without intervention, the school would "collapse under [the government’s] watch". The federal member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour, has also called for the staff redundancies to be reconsidered, stating that the school is a "critical connector for children in town camps who might not otherwise engage in the formal education system". The federal government has given the school a two-year extension to repay its debt, pushing the deadline to 2031, but the school is still facing significant challenges.
Path Forward
The current Yipirinya principal, Justin Colley, has acknowledged the "strength, spirit, and bravery of the students, families, and communities affected by the recent court case involving a past principal". He has stated that the school has undergone a "complete transformation" under the new leadership team, including introducing staff training and improving accountability. However, the school still faces significant challenges, and it remains to be seen whether the government will provide the necessary support to prevent the school from collapsing. The school community is hoping that the government will take action to address the crisis and ensure the long-term viability of the school.