Marist College Ashgrove staff, parents asked to do ‘confidential’ survey on principal

A prestigious Brisbane school is seeking feedback from staff and parents in a “confidential” survey on its principal but to do so, respondents must identify themselves by requesting access to it.

Marist College Ashgrove parents and staff were asked to complete a survey on its principal.

Parents and staff at a prestigious Brisbane school have been asked to complete a “confidential” survey to provide feedback on its controversial principal but to do so, respondents must identify themselves by requesting access to the link.

Marist College Ashgrove parents and staff were advised they have three days to complete the survey on principal Michael Newman, through the college newsletter.

One parent has suggested it will retract those who wish to respond negatively from completing the survey - Marist however, says it is standard practice.

It comes after the Catholic School Principal was caught up in a civil sexual abuse claim but later returned to work in April after spending Term 1 on leave.

The historical allegation was made against the Marist Brothers and relates to Mr Newman’s time on staff at St Joseph’s College Hunters Hill in Sydney in 1994. It is set to be heard in the NSW Supreme Court again this month.

Mr Newman and the Marist Brothers have strongly denied the allegations and defended the suit - but his return sparked mass outrage from parents and staff.

At the time, The Courier-Mail was told Mr Newman had addressed the allegations and denied them during the first assembly of Term 2 with all staff and students present as well as junior students as young as 10.

The letter this week, written by Regional Director Queensland, Northern Territory and Northern New South Wales Marist Schools Australia Mark Elliott said the survey was “available on request” by contacting Executive Assistant Helen Quirk.

“I write to provide further information regarding the Summative Review for the Head of College, Mr Michael Newman which will take place this term,” the letter read.

“Every principal, in the fourth year of their contract, undergoes a summative review which is conducted by an independent, external review panel on behalf of Marist Schools Australia.

“This review involves an extensive and comprehensive assessment of Mr Newman’s performance over the entire contract period by affirming his significant achievements and providing advice for further growth and development.”

Head of Marist College Ashgrove Michael Newman. Picture: Richard Walker

A Marist parent contacted The Courier-Mail with concerns about the survey process and suggested a possible aim of not having many families who respond negatively.

“This letter was not emailed to parents. Instead, it was a link that was inserted into the middle of the newsletter. Parents have been informed that they must request a link to the survey,” the parent said.

Mr Elliot said the first stage of the review involved a “confidential online survey” which was open to current Marist College Ashgrove parents and staff.

“This survey can be completed in approximately 20 minutes and is available on request by contacting Helen Quirk… and providing her with your preferred email address by this Friday, 2 August. Helen will send you the online survey in an email with further instructions around its completion.”

The link to the survey was only included in the middle of Mr Newman’s section of the newsletter, which was published late on Tuesday.

A Marist College Ashgrove and Marist Schools Australia Spokesman said the summative review of the Head of College was being undertaken in the same way as it is done across all 12 governed schools of Marist Schools Australia.

“These reviews occur in the fourth year of the five-year contract period for the respective Head of College”.

“The survey is undertaken as an independent process with an external consultant. No member of the leadership of Marist College Ashgrove or Marist Schools Australia is aware of the names of any parent taking part”.

The spokesman said it was normal the survey has been circulated to parents through the weekly newsletter, as it was their primary communication channel.

“We are very thankful to the significant number of parents who have responded already to that request for participation”.

“We have today written again to our parents reminding them of the survey, and the period to request a link to it has been extended by a further three days to cob Monday 5 August 2024. In addition, the period to return survey response has also been extended to 12 August 2024. The suggestion of three days’ notice for substantial responses to the survey to be returned is incorrect and has never been the case”.

The Spokesman said the aim of the summative review – for all Heads of College – was to undertake an extensive and comprehensive assessment of performance over the entire contract period.

“The survey is an important part of our overall review process, providing parents and staff with a voice”.