A South Australian primary school principal has been stood down and is now the subject of a formal investigation by the Department for Education over photographs taken during a school camp. The probe was launched after the principal brought her husband on the trip without authorisation.
Parents Left in the Dark Over Camp Photo Inquiry
The Department for Education has confirmed an investigation is underway regarding photos taken by former Wallaroo Mines Primary School principal, Tamarin Condon, during a school camp. Officials have been quietly interviewing students, a move that has left many families frustrated and anxious due to a lack of information.
Department official Natasha Hefford has sought to reassure parents, stating there was 'nothing to be alarmed about'. However, this assurance has done little to quell concerns, as the photographs central to the investigation have not been shown to any parents.
One mother revealed to the ABC that an investigator asked her child pointed questions, including: 'Was there anything on the camp that didn't feel right?' and 'Which devices was Ms Condon using to take photos?'. Another parent said they intervened, pulling their child from an interview room and demanding to see the images for themselves.
Confusion and Mounting Tensions at Wallaroo Mines
Ms Condon was placed on leave in October after the internal investigation began. The initial trigger was her decision to invite her husband, Simon Condon, onto the camp without obtaining the necessary permissions. Several complaints were subsequently lodged, with some parents expressing discomfort about his presence.
The situation has created significant confusion. One parent recounted being told by an official to follow up with police, which contradicted earlier information. 'She said she didn't know anything about them and that I should follow up with police, which doesn't make sense because when they called us, they mentioned photos,' the parent said. 'We're all here thinking the worst… just getting nothing. At least tell us so we're not losing our minds.'
SA Police have confirmed they are not involved in any investigation, directing all inquiries back to the Education Department.
Background of Leadership Concerns and Previous Roles
Tensions within the school community had been simmering prior to this incident. Weeks earlier, an online petition signed by more than 260 people called on the education department to 'urgently review' Ms Condon's leadership. The petition cited allegations of unprofessional behaviour, child safety worries, and a negative school culture, claiming her conduct had fostered 'an atmosphere of fear and discomfort among students'.
Wallaroo Mines Primary School, located on the Yorke Peninsula, educates approximately 80 students. Ms Condon's departure has been confirmed in a letter sent home to parents, which stated the school was seeking a new principal.
Prior to her role at Wallaroo Mines, which she took up this year, Ms Condon served as principal at Mil Lel Primary School from 2020 and later at Poonindie Community Learning Centre near Port Lincoln in 2024.
The Department for Education continues its investigation, leaving parents awaiting clarity on a situation shrouded in uncertainty.
