Lea Walker-Franks resigns as turmoil continues at Brisbane Boys’ College

Another senior executive at top private school Brisbane Boys’ College has resigned. And, according to sources, more could follow suit.

Another Brisbane Boys’ College, Toowong executive has resigned as turmoil continues at the school.

A senior executive at Brisbane Boys’ College in Toowong has resigned and more resignations could be coming soon as turmoil at the elite westside school shows no sign of ending.

Lea Walker-Franks, the wife of Deputy Headmaster Peter Franks and director of community engagement, tendered her resignation which will be effective from Friday.

Ms Walker-Franks, who is also the executive director of the school’s foundation, moved from St Joseph’s College - Gregory Terrace (known as Terrace), where she worked in a similar role, in late 2019.

Quest Newspapers contacted Ms Walker-Franks, BBC and its governing body the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools’ Association (PMSA) for comment.

Lea Walker-Franks at the Gambaros Ball in 2019. She has resigned from BBC to pursue other opportunities. Picture: AAP/John Gass

BBC will tell staff tomorrow that Ms Walker-Franks will be leaving to “pursue new business opportunities”.

“Mrs Walker-Franks is held in the highest regard by (myself), the Chair of BBC Foundation and the BBC Council and her loss will be keenly felt,’’ Headmaster Paul Brown said.

“Indeed, the College is negotiating with Mrs Walker-Franks to request she continues to consult to the Foundation on an ongoing basis.’’

The PMSA said it had no role in receiving or accepting resignations beneath the level of principal.

Her resignation comes after Mr Brown announced last month that he would be stepping down at the end of this year.

BBC Headmaster Paul Brown.

Earlier this week it was revealed Mr Brown would also take a “sabbatical’’ in terms two and three, returning for the final term this year.

PMSA member Dr Bridget Cullen also stepped down last month.

Her resignation was triggered by a colourful Facebook page she set up after her luxury BMW was stolen. It made disparaging references to residents in disadvantaged areas of Brisbane.

But her supporters said Dr Cullen, who sits on the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, was “assassinated’’ and was much loved by parents for her countless hours of voluntary work for the school.

Then, in August last year, BBC Council Chair Mark Gray, a highly respected member of Brisbane’s business community, signed a blistering resignation letter in which he queried the strategic direction of the PMSA, which oversees BBC and three other elite private schools.

Quest Newspapers has been told at least 14 PMSA members or Council members of the PMSA’s four schools have resigned since 2019.

Three principals have gone in that time, or will go: Mr Brown at BBC; Kathy Bishop at Clayfield College in 2019; and Somerville House principal Flo Kearney, who left in highly controversial circumstances which sparked massive protest by parents and an apology by the PMSA.

Mark Gray stepped down as BBC Council Chair after disagreements about the strategic direction of the PMSA.

“Since a governance review was commissioned by the PMSA in 2018, its corporate office functions have expanded significantly.

“There has already been an unreasonable increase in the school contribution in 2020 to fund the PMSA Corporate Office.

“The PMSA proposes further large increases in school contributions over the next few years to support this higher overhead cost.

“This in turn will place an additional cost burden on the College budget at a time when all schools are facing unprecedented financial challenges from the global pandemic.’’

BBC has the third highest fees in Brisbane’s inner-west, and among the highest in Queensland, at $24,724 for tuition for Years 7-12. However, that was up only 0.55 per cent on 2020.

Brisbane Boys’ College in Toowong. Picture: Tara Croser

But the PMSA’s new Chair, Morgan Parker, said at the time that it had developed a more “contemporary’’ and efficient governance structure which had resulted in cost savings.

Mr Parker said the PMSA had more than 40 “highly qualified and experienced volunteer governance members’’.

“In the past, we have been publicly criticised for not operating an efficient, contemporary

organisation,’’ he said.

“In addition to our recent governance appointments, we have made significant improvements to establish valuable group capabilities.

“These reflect those demanded of a large and complex organisation as well as those of a leading education institution.

“Our group capabilities are already adding value to our schools, creating opportunities for students, reducing organisational risk and ultimately reducing costs.