PMSA: Call to end ‘dysfunctional’ elite schools body

One year on since The Courier-Mail exclusively exposed the deepening elite private school scandal the Presbyterian and Methodist School Association is facing renewed pressure to be disbanded because “the buck stops with no one”.

QUEENSLAND’S Attorney-General has been asked to end the “dysfunctional” 157-year-old governing body at four of the state’s most prestigious private schools.

One year on since The Courier-Mail exclusively exposed the deepening elite private school scandal the Presbyterian and Methodist School Association is facing renewed pressure to be disbanded because “the buck stops with no one”.

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Beyond PMSA, a group of parents and alumni, have lodged a 140-page submission with Attorney-General Yvette D’Arth to recall the Letters Patent issued in 1861 to allow the schools “to operate properly in the competitive 21st Century”.

The PMSA Council is the governing body of Somerville House, Brisbane Boys’ College, Clayfield College and Sunshine Coast Grammar School.

“The PMSA’s unique dysfunction when combined with a Letters Patent structure creates risk,’’ Beyond PMSA said.

“The PMSA’s dysfunction and the absence of a single point of accountability creates unacceptable risk for our schools.”

Last night Beyond PMSA held a town hall meeting to discuss the submission before the A-G’s office but the PMSA Council declined to attend.

“As you know, our students are currently in the midst of final exams,’’ the PMSA said.

“We hope the timing of you meeting and your reactivation of your application does not cause any unnecessary attention that may disturb the students’ preparation.”

Anti PMSA protesters outside Somerville House School in South Brisbane on Friday, October 27, 2017. (AAP Image/Claudia Baxter)

It comes with a widening spiritual schism between the Uniting Church (Methodist) and the hardline Presbyterian Church.

The Courier-Mail last year revealed a scandal involving an alleged privacy data breach involving some of the state’s wealthiest donors and most prominent identities including State Governor Paul de Jersey.

It also exposed the PMSA cover-up of lewd text messages and secret trysts at a Korean nude bath house by two key figures and led to the shock resignation of Somerville House principal Flo Kearney and an exodus of key staff.

The PMSA ordered a governance review and undertook some reforms but Beyond PMSA is calling for a complete overhaul.