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The outgoing head of The King’s School, who was terminated from his job last year after allegedly clipping the back of a student’s head, has reached a secret out-of-court settlement with the institution.
It closes a tumultuous saga for the high-fee school over the alleged incident, which occurred during a faith lecture for about 100 pupils in the school’s Futter Hall last June.
Tony George was placed on leave while an investigation into the incident took place. He has previously described media reporting on the allegation as “inaccurate or misleading”.
Former King’s School headmaster Tony George.
He took legal action last month against the school in the Fair Work division of the Federal Court of Australia.
On Monday, court documents revealed he had reached a deal with the school.
“The parties have agreed to resolve the proceeding on confidential terms,” the documents said.
Ken Chapman, chairman of The Council of The King’s School, wrote to parents to notify them of the development.
“The School Council and Mr George advise that they have resolved matters, and that Mr George’s term as Headmaster of The King’s School has concluded by agreement on 19 January 2026,” he said.
“This has been a challenging period for everyone. Both the Council and Mr George regret any disruption or difficulty this has caused students, staff, and families.”
He also said the public commentary surrounding these matters did not reflect the “correct or complete facts”.
“Both the Council and Mr George recognise that this has contributed to uncertainty within the community. Both the Council and Mr George acknowledge that it has been a difficult period that has been approached with grace.”
The King’s School will be led by Reverend Stephen Edwards.Credit: Wolter Peeters
The note also included a statement from George himself.
“I am grateful to the members of the School community who have expressed support for [wife] Jen and me in recent months,” he said.
“I appreciate the goodwill with which that support has been offered. I also appreciate the careful and diligent work that the Chairman and the Council have done for the School, demonstrating a commitment to the strong child-centric culture and workplace conduct frameworks that I have promoted throughout my tenure and that we all strive to maintain.
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“I remain deeply thankful for the privilege of serving this School for the past eight years, and I hold it in my prayers as it continues its important work to educate young men bravely and faithfully.”
The council noted in the eight years George had been headmaster academic results were now at an all-time high, with sporting and co-curricular success, and enrolments had reached record levels with “strong” waiting lists, while the expression of Christian community has been strengthened.
“The Council extends its good wishes to Mr George and his family for the future.”
But his tenure has not been without controversy.
In 2022, the school defended a controversial trip by the headmaster and his wife to the Royal Henley Regatta, saying it was standard practice among independent schools to fly principals overseas with their spouse, and traditional for the King’s principal to travel business class.
A subsequent investigation found it was an improper use of its funds and a breach of the Education Act, and the flights for his wife would need to be repaid.
In 2023, the school was ordered to stop the planned construction of a plunge pool at its headmaster’s residence after a government investigation found it would be an improper use of the school’s money.
Reverend Stephen Edwards has been appointed as interim headmaster. Further announcements about the operation of the school would be made in coming days.
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