A veteran principal of a public school accused of assaulting and intimidating a teacher has pleaded not guilty over the incident in Sydney's leafy eastern suburbs. Woollahra Public School's Kylie McKinnon is facing one count of common assault and one count of intimidation over an incident that occurred at 1pm on October 8, 2024.
Court documents seen by The Saturday Telegraph stated that she had tried to intimidate a staff member who had been the relieving principal before she joined in 2023. McKinnon's solicitor, Seth Gibbard, entered not guilty pleas on behalf of his client at the Downing Centre Local Court in March. She did not attend in person.
Mr Gibbard told the Daily Mail that the allegations 'are simply not true,' in a statement. 'Ms McKinnon categorically denies the criminal charges that have been brought against her. She has always maintained her innocence and pleaded not guilty at the first available opportunity. These allegations are simply not true,' he said.
'Ms McKinnon has been working for the Department of Education for the past 29 years and has been a principal for the past 11 years. She has always acted lawfully and with integrity, and she intends to defend the charges vigorously through the proper legal channels. Out of respect for the legal process and the people involved, we will not be commenting on the details of the matter at this time.'
During a brief mention on Friday, a hearing date was set for December 16. McKinnon is currently on leave from her position, with Botany Public School principal Heather Strachan acting as relieving principal since March 16.
A NSW Department of Education spokesperson confirmed arrangements had been made at the school but was unable to comment on matters before the courts. 'Interim relieving arrangements for the principal position at Woollahra Public School are currently in place,' they told the Daily Mail on Friday. 'The school continues to provide support to staff and students as needed.'
Bondi Principals Network's educational leadership director Paul Owens also wrote to parents on March 2 to confirm the change. 'Ms Kylie McKinnon is on leave and involved with a learning project in another directorate, for an extended period,' he said in a letter seen by the Telegraph. 'Ms McKinnon has been an active systems leader and contributed to a range of education initiatives over several years. Ms Strachan is a long-term substantive principal and has extended experience successfully leading a range of school settings.'
Murat Dizdar, NSW Department of Education Secretary, previously celebrated the work of McKinnon in a post on X in May 2025. 'Woollahra Public School is the first public school to win the Da Vinci Decathlon (an academic competition) since the competition began in 2002,' the post read. 'What an achievement! Thank you (teacher Daniel Pozarik), (Assistant Principal Anna Hayward) and Principal Kylie McKinnon for your expert guidance.'
McKinnon previously taught at Hurstville Grove Infants School in Penshurst.
