Prestigious Brisbane girls’ school principal resigns two months after data breach

The principal at one of Brisbane’s most expensive private girls’ schools has abruptly announced her resignation days before the school year starts and two months after a data breach revealed private details about students.

Somerville House announced on Thursday Dr Sandra Hastie would step down from her position by the end of Term 1, in April this year.

Brisbane Times was told the decision was not linked to the data breach, which had briefly given students access to teachers’ notes featuring personal details about them and their peers.

A public statement from Somerville said Hastie’s departure was due to family reasons, and thanked her for her “meaningful and enduring contribution” to the school.

“The dedication and care she has shown to Somerville’s staff, students and our wider community will have a lasting impact on our school and we are truly saddened to see her go,” the statement read.

Hastie, who was two years into her tenure at Somerville, was expected to leave Australia this year, taking up a new position in Auckland as executive principal at the Diocesan School for Girls.

Hastie completed her teaching qualifications in New Zealand and the United Kingdom and has taught in both regions, with Somerville being the first Australian school she had worked.

The school said it had begun recruitment for a replacement, and expected to appoint an interim principal after Hastie’s departure.

“As this process progresses, our focus remains firmly on supporting our students, staff and families and ensuring they experience as much continuity as possible,” Somerville said.

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