Parents and staff at Brindabella Christian College have raised fresh concerns about the school's governance following the dramatic sacking of principal Bruce Handley.
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Mr Handley's three-year contract was terminated a year early after a controversial four-page letter urging a "no" vote in the same-sex marriage survey was sent under his name.
Mr Handley's wife later distanced her family from the letter, writing on social media they believed Christians could vote "yes".
Other recent principals of Brindabella Christian College have also left the school under contentious circumstances. Long-term and well-respected former principal Elizabeth Hutton is understood to have left early 2015 after a dispute with the school board, and acting principal Melanie Spencer is understood to have experienced similar issues.
The school is now bleeding staff and students, according to numerous people who have contacted The Canberra Times over the past month. Each person expressed deep concerns about the school's governance and future.
It is the second time tensions between parents and the school board have come to a head. Families have been lobbying for representation on the self-appointed four-person board without success since 2015. Dozens of parents then united to fight for greater transparency and openness, leading to an external review - the results of which were not made public.
Some people have also told The Canberra Times of a perceived deepening of religion in the school. Board chairman Greg Zwajgenberg this week warned the school community "the devil has his sights on Christian education" when announcing Mr Handley's termination.
Teachers were last month asked to attend the school early one Saturday to walk the school's perimeter to pray for protection and God's blessing.
Another email sent to staff, titled "The Watchman and the City", urged the reader to "renew your guard" around "the walls around my life, around my spirit".
It said: "The enemy is within. Route him out! Seek him in the squares, the buildings and the hidden places. Do not give up until every remnant of him is destroyed. Do not spare even one. Destroy all."
Mr Zwajgenberg was contacted for comment Thursday afternoon. He had earlier denied Mr Handley's sacking was related to his views on same-sex marriage.
Mr Handley is pursuing the school board through the Fair Work Commission after first taking action for issues related to bullying.
This story original stated that Bruce Handley was the school's third principal in as many years. The article has been updated on December 15 to clarify that the College had two principals and an acting principal who have all left within the past three years.
