Their medical conditions and parents\u2019 marital statuses were also recorded, with one parent telling an Australian media outlet the document was like a \u201cdirt file\u201d on students.<\/p>\n
Hastie and Somerville House have apologised for the \u201cdistress and hurt\u201d caused.<\/p>\n
The Diocesan School board said it was aware of the incident when hiring Hastie.<\/p>\n
The teachers\u2019 notes were written in 2021, \u201cwell before\u201d Hastie became principal of the Brisbane school in 2024, the board said.<\/p>\n
It believed Hastie handled the Australian controversy \u201cwith transparency, empathy and decisive leadership\u201d.<\/p>\n
She moved \u201cquickly to support affected students and families while reviewing policies and procedures and putting stronger safeguards in place\u201d, the Diocesan board said.<\/p>\n
The Herald also approached Hastie and Somerville House \u2013 one of Brisbane\u2019s most expensive girls\u2019 schools \u2013 for comment.<\/p>\n
Australia\u2019s ABC reported last November that students found the teachers\u2019 notes when looking for a file a teacher uploaded to Microsoft Teams.<\/p>\n
The document reportedly included wide-ranging notes.<\/p>\n
Some students were labelled \u201cquirky\u201d and \u201cdisorganised\u201d, while one pupil was thought by her peers to \u201chave head lice\u201d, the teachers noted.<\/p>\n
The teachers also commented on parents\u2019 personalities and whether they were married \u2013 with some described as \u201ccomplainers\u201d, \u201cintense\u201d or \u201cin your face\u201d.<\/p>\n
One parent, speaking to the ABC, described the document as a \u201cdirt file\u201d containing \u201csalacious, malicious commentary about children\u201d.<\/p>\n
Another told Brisbane\u2019s Courier-Mail newspaper it was a \u201ccomplete betrayal of trust\u201d, saying teachers had done \u201cthe exact opposite of what they\u2019re constantly telling children about: Not to bully, not to gossip, not to talk behind people\u2019s backs\u201d.<\/p>\n
In news reports on November 20, immediately after the data leak became public, parents complained about a lack of an initial apology from the school, with others claiming in the following days the school had shown a \u201clack of action\u201d.<\/p>\n
Dr Sandra Hastie has a long and accomplished teaching record in NZ and Australia, Diocesan says, including as head of Rangi Ruru Girls’ School.<\/p>\n
Hastie, as principal of Somerville House, told the Courier-Mail on November 22 that an investigation had been launched and cyber experts called in.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe sincerely apologise for the distress and hurt many within the school community are experiencing,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are very disappointed by what has happened, as the nature of some of these comments falls short of our standards and values. We are taking this situation very seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n
Then last week, Somerville House revealed Hastie had resigned, telling Australian media outlets it was due to family reasons and unrelated to the data leak.<\/p>\n
Diocesan last week announced on its website that it had hired Hastie to replace its long-serving principal, Heather McRae<\/a>.<\/p>\n The announcement said Hastie had vast experience, having previously served as principal of Rangi Ruru Girls\u2019 School in Christchurch and Saint Kentigern Girls\u2019 School in Auckland.<\/p>\n Hastie was an \u201coutstanding educator\u201d who brought vision, a proven track record, and an \u201cexceptional reputation\u201d.<\/p>\n