No confidence vote call for Marist College Ashgrove school leader

A parent at one of Brisbane’s top private schools has launched an unprecedented petition calling for a no-confidence vote in the head of college.

A change.org petition has been launched calling for a no-confidence vote in Marist College Ashgrove leader Michael Newman.

A parent at one of Brisbane’s top private schools has launched a change.org petition calling for a no-confidence vote in its Head of College, Michael Newman.

The petition comes after concern among some parents at Marist College Ashgrove following Mr Newman returning to work on April 15.

He had taken personal leave at the start of the year, but at the time the reason was not known.

Since then, parents have been told about allegations of historical sexual abuse at a NSW school where Mr Newman was on staff.

The allegations were made in a civil claim for damages, filed on January 8, which was ongoing in the Supreme Court of NSW.

Mr Newman professed his innocence to staff and students during an assembly address on April 15.

The historical allegation was made against the Marist Brothers and related to the time Mr Newman was on staff at St Joseph’s College Hunters Hill in Sydney in 1994.

Mr Newman and the Marist Brothers denied the allegations. They are defending the civil suit. Police have laid no charges in relation to the matter, which the school also promptly reported to the Queensland College of Teachers in line with its protocols.

A risk assessment investigation by the Marist Schools Association – led by a Kings Counsel with extensive experience in the field of child protection – has determined it is safe for Mr Newman to resume his duties as head of college.

In a letter to the school community, the national director of Marist Schools Association, Frank Molloy, said Mr Newman had “never had any other complaint or allegation of sexual abuse or sexually inappropriate behaviour made against him” during his education career of more than 30 years.

But Marist College Ashgrove (MCA) parent Tracey Leigh-Allen last week took the unprecedented step of launching a change.org calling for parental support for a no-confidence motion in Mr Newman.

Ms Leigh-Allen, a domestic and family violence consultant who advises organisations on the issue, said it was a “last resort’’ after her requests for a parent forum on the matter were rebuffed.

Only about 120 people have signed the petition, which has been viewed about 3000 times.

But Ms Leigh-Allen said she had expected that. Parents she had shared it with told her they supported a no-confidence motion, but were reluctant to sign.

She had also discussed the petition with her younger son, who was still at MCA.

“There are a lot of people who agree, but a lot aren’t prepared to sign it,’’ she said.

“I had a discussion with my son and he was 100 per cent on board.

“Many (students) have come up to him since and asked him if it was his mum who started it, but so far he’s only had positive feed back.’’

Ms Leigh-Allen said she also made the decision because parents and alumni she had spoken to felt “siloed’’ and had no idea how many others shared their concerns.

The college said it was aware of the petition.

“The return of the Head of College has been undertaken in line with the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards, as well as best practice in child protection, and this will continue,’’ the college said in a statement.

“On this matter, Marist Schools Australia and Marist College Ashgrove established a feedback process in mid-April for any members of the community.

“We have, and will continue, to consult directly and one-on-one with any parent who has expressed concerns, raised issues including personal ones or any matter regarding their child. “This approach is respectful, maintains confidentiality and is appropriate in the circumstances, particularly from a duty of care perspective.

“The College always welcomes feedback from its community.

“Every three years, as part of our continuous improvement processes, we provide opportunities for all parents, students and staff to give us their feedback relating to their views of the College across a wide range of areas.

“Information on this process has been shared in the College newsletter.’’

Parents, staff and students would also be invited, from May 15, to complete College-wide surveys undertaken by consultancy MMG education, which worked with schools across Australia.

However, Ms Leigh-Allen said the surveys were not specifically about Mr Newman’s return to work.

She also said that because the NSW law suit was a civil damages claim it might be settled out of court with no details ever released. As well, the process could take years.

She said it was standard practice in many professions, such as the police, for people to stand aside or be given alternative roles until serious allegations were addressed.

That was all she and other concerned parents were asking, she said.

“The last three years at Marist College Ashgrove have seen significant cultural changes and the departure of an alarming number of experienced staff,’’ she said in her petition.

“The return of Mr Newman as Head of College has caused considerable concern and distress. “Requests for action have previously been made directly to Marist Schools Association by members of the Marist Ashgrove Community.

“The response has been disappointing. Those attempts have not led to a resolution and have resulted in this petition being put to the wider community.

“We remain deeply concerned about the unresolved allegations and the impact of Mr Newman’s return.

“We sincerely believe it is not in the best interests of students, staff and the wider Marist School Community for Mr Newman to continue in this position while the allegations remain unresolved.

“We request Mr Newman be stood down from the position of Head of College and allocated a separate role within Marist Schools Australia until the court proceedings have been finalised.’’