Tacoma Public School principal: parents fury over recruitment process

A controversial decision to deny a popular vice-principal the chance to interview for a school’s top job has thrown the recruitment processes of the NSW Education Department under the microscope.

A groundswell of support has emerged for Acting Principal Mandy Shaw. Picture: Sue Graham

A CONTROVERSIAL decision to deny a popular vice-principal the chance to interview for a school’s top job has thrown the recruitment processes of the NSW Education Department under the microscope.

A groundswell of support has emerged for Tacoma Public School acting principal Mandy Shaw.

Shockwaves ripped through the school when Ms Shaw was not given an interview for the role of principal by the Department of Education (DET).

Ms Shaw did not participate in this story, but a passionate and vocal group of parents have made their displeasure heard.

The role became available last year and Ms Shaw put her hand up for the job, only to be knocked back before the interview process.

Tacoma Public School's Acting Principal Mandy Shaw instigated these empowering signs at the school

Parents are calling for an immediate halt to the recruitment process, and for a full investigation into the DET’s actions, claiming inconsistencies with the selection panel as well as the job advertisement.

“We are not asking that Mandy Shaw be automatically given the position of principal, however the DET have not followed the processes and aren’t prepared to give us answers,” parent Christina Jones said.

A petition was launched in support of Ms Shaw, with around 500 signatures. Picture: Sue Graham

Parents believe Ms Shaw, who has been with the school for 14 years, is ideal for the role with her expertise in indigenous education as well as her reputation. A petition was launched in support of Ms Shaw which has grown to include 500 signatures.

“She’s outstanding in every regard, and as far as leading Aboriginal education she’s been instrumental,” Mrs Jones said.

She said the voting process for the selection panel’s teachers’ representative was inconsistent, and there was a “conflict of interest” with the panel selection of a principal from a Sydney school.

Mandy Shaw

“It appears the DET are urgently trying to rush this through,” she said. “We would like to see the process (for the selection panel) started again.”

Fellow parent Robyn Lee said one of the criteria for the role was “demonstrate ability to lead and manage whole school Aboriginal education programs”.

“If it wasn’t for Mandy there would be no Aboriginal culture here,” she said.

“I’ve watched it grow and grow since she has been here.”

What the Department said

A spokesman from the DET said it was not appropriate to comment on individual applications.

“The merit selection of a new principal at Tacoma Public School is progressing according to the department’s required recruitment processes which are publicly available online,” he said.

“The department’s Merit Selection Procedure will continue to be followed. Staff, parent, community and principal representatives participate in this merit selection panel process.

“The Tacoma Public School P & C Association was invited to provide a new representative for the merit selection panel, following the withdrawal of the initial parent representative on the panel. A member of the Wyong Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) has been and continues to be a very valuable part of the panel.”

He said two matters had been raised under the Complaint Handling Policy and were being managed.