Private school boss to depart
Christian College leadership change
The chief executive of Christian College Geelong has announced he will retire at the end of the school year, a move that comes after a tumultuous time for the private school’s leadership.
Daryl Riddle announced to parents in an email that he would depart after almost 44 years at the school.
Principal of 32 years Glen McKeeman resigned from his role in November last year.
The school also has been hit by allegations of bullying and harassment, including claims both from and against Mr McKeeman’s wife Pam McKeeman, a teacher of 27 years at the school.
Mr McKeeman and Mr Riddle reportedly clashed over leadership.
Before being appointed chief executive, Mr Riddle began work at the school as a teacher in 1981, then served as acting principal from 1982 and principal
from 1984, holding the position for 30 years before taking on the role as chief executive.
A scandal ignited at the school in 2009 after Mr Riddle’s brother Gary John Riddle, a convicted pedophile, attended a debutante ball.
Christian College Geelong board acting chair Associate Professor David Fuller said Mr Riddle had been a driving force behind the college becoming a major Victorian independent school with five campuses, two kindergartens, a farm property and program and a stand-alone senior art, technology and design centre.
“When he started at the college, it was a small, fledgling school with a few dozen students whose classes ran in several rented classrooms in a wing of the St Augustine’s Orphanage in Highton, which is now our middle school campus,” Prof Fuller said.
He said the Christian College board had finalised the Christian College strategic plan 2024-26, including a new leadership structure, and would shortly commence recruitment for Mr Riddle’s replacement.
He thanked Mr Riddle for his time at Christian College and said there would be opportunities later in the year to recognise and reflect on his work and achievements.
“Mr Riddle’s faith, vision, wisdom and drive to lead Christian College to where it is today, will continue to impact the lives of many generations to come,” he said.
“We are incredibly grateful for the legacy he leaves.”