Leadership Shake-Up at Lindfield Learning Village Leaves Parents in the Dark

Parents at Lindfield Learning Village, an alternative public school on the north shore, were caught off guard by the abrupt departure of the entire leadership team, including Principal Stephanie McConnell and Deputy Principals Lou Deibe and Mark Burgess.

In a recent communication to the school community, the NSW Education Department disclosed that an internal investigation, unrelated to child protection, was underway at Lindfield Learning Village.

The school’s unconventional educational model, which features open classroom spaces, no uniforms, and project-based learning, has garnered attention since its establishment on the grounds of the former University of Technology Ku-Ring-Gai campus in 2019.

After the initial announcement about Principal McConnell’s temporary reassignment and the appointment of David Osland from Chatswood High School as relieving principal, parents were further surprised by the news of the deputy principals’ impending moves to different roles within the department.

Stacey Exner, the director of educational leadership for the Gordon Network, reassured parents of the school’s commitment to its current structure and teaching methods despite the leadership changes. Counseling support has been made available to students and staff.

One concerned parent, speaking under anonymity, expressed bewilderment at the situation and mentioned that numerous families opted to keep their children home in response. The lack of transparency surrounding the leadership departures has left many feeling frustrated.

Acting P&C association president Danya Webb acknowledged the upheaval felt by parents and emphasized the community’s support for the school’s progressive educational approach.

Another parent, also requesting anonymity, highlighted previous concerns about the school’s unconventional reporting system that lacked traditional report cards, leading to uncertainty about students’ progress.

The NSW Education Department declined to provide further details on the matter, leaving parents and the school community seeking answers.