Geraldton Christian College committed to open dialogue as principal & board members resign

Geraldton Christian College says it will continue to hold open dialogue with the community after several management changes at the school.

Last year, the school went through a number of administrative changes including the departure of principal Gavin Hirschhausen, who the college said resigned last September.

According to the college, the process has started to find a replacement.

“The board has commenced the process of securing the right principal to lead the college into the future, and is hopeful that the successful applicant can commence mid-2025,” a statement from the Geraldton Christian College board read.

“GCC has a long history of high quality Christian education, and our board and executive leadership will ensure this legacy continues as we commence a new and exciting year for our college.“

In the meantime, Sophia de Lange will be at the helm as acting principal.

The college board has also seen some adjustments over the past 12 months, with Reverend Mike Welham resigning as acting chair due to his appointment as minister-in-charge at St George’s Anglican Church in Carnarvon.

Tim Micke will assume the role of acting chair until the next election.

The board hoped to keep the dialogue open with parents and students, as the school enters a new year. The board said its members were volunteers and at times could not continue in the role due to other commitments.

“Periods of change always bring challenges, however through this transition the board has continued to update our parents, students and all who are a part of the Geraldton Christian Community Schools Association which elects the board to govern the college,” the statement read.

“We understand that some members of the association hold strong views regarding the changes our college is going through, and we welcome their passion for GCC. We are committed to continued dialogue to address any questions or concerns.

“The board continues to consider ways to serve our school community more effectively and this includes reviewing our own standards and conduct to ensure our college thrives. This is a healthy process for the school and honouring to God.”

The college did not wish to publicly comment on the reasons behind Mr Hirschhausen’s mid-year resignation.