Sydney, Australia - A NSW south coast primary school linked to the Little Pebble religious cult is set to close after being stripped of its accreditation.
St Joseph's School is built inside the compound of the Order of St Charbel in Cambewarra, near Nowra, and has as its spiritual leader William Kamm, also known as "Little Pebble".
Kamm, 55, has been jailed for at least three and a half years for indecently assaulting a then 15-year-old member of his religious community.
Board of Studies (BOS) spokeswoman Rebecca Lloyd today said it is likely St Joseph's will not reopen next year because its replacement principal, who would also function as the sole teacher, was not qualified.
The current principal, David Williams, will be leaving the school at the end of this year.
The decision to refuse registration was made last Wednesday and the school will close on December 31 unless a successful appeal can be made before that time, she said.
"There has been a recommendation from the Board's Registration Committee that their application not be renewed for registration next year," Ms Lloyd said.
"This school is registered (kindergarten to year six) and the person they were purposing to be not only principal but the sole full time teacher had only secondary teacher training, and was relatively inexperienced in primary education.
"It is mandatory for all schools in NSW, government and non-government, to deliver the Board of Studies curriculum and they have to have the capacity in their staff to do so."
St Joseph's has been operating since 1992 and had only 31 enrolled students last year.
Mr Williams, has said Kamm played no role in the school's operation, with the closest link being that his church was located on school property.
Both the BOS and child protection agencies have completed investigations into St Joseph's following revelations about Kamm's sex abuse.
But Ms Lloyd said the BOS was satisfied it was a safe environment for students.
"They have taken steps to ensure that there was in fact a safe and supportive environment for students and there was an additional risk management strategy that took into account the conviction of the leader of the community," she said.