Peninsula Grammar teacher departures dismissed as ‘average’ turnover
Another private school is facing disquiet about the departures of dozens of teachers over the past year. It comes as the top school held a prospective staff open day in a bid to attract new teachers.
Education
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Peninsula Grammar, on the Mornington Peninsula, is at the centre of concerns about staff turnover which past and present teachers say is not typical.
There is discontent among some staff with claims that between 34 and 41 teachers have left in the past 12 months, including at least 15 teachers working in the Year 10 to 12 area.
“Approximately 41 teachers leave the school over a 12 month period from a possible 120 teaching staff (including 17 year 12 teachers). You do the math. And the principal says this is normal turnover. This is all I’m going to say on the situation,” an insider said.
The school disputes this figure, saying it is very happy with the staff turnover which it regards as industry average. It said its figures, based on the 2019 calendar year, were much less.
Insiders say membership of the Independent Education Union has jumped as teachers look for representation in an unhappy workplace.
In August, the school took the unusual step of holding a Prospective Staff Open Day, similar to the way schools promote a students’ open day.
Prospective staff could book via Eventbrite to attend the August 3 In Pursuit of Excellence Day two hour session.
“As we prepare with enthusiasm for 2020, we extend an invitation to prospective educators to join us for an introduction to the Peninsula context,” the blurb said.
“Our principal and members of the school executive will be on campus to discuss what it means to be part of the Peninsula journey and to share with you our unique identity and culture. The experience aims to inform you of the values and expectations of a Peninsula educator, should you wish to join our team in the future.”
Some observers say it smacked of desperation but the school said it was a masterstroke. The school said it was driven by teachers and was an excellent way to market the school.
A spokesman said it was highly likely it would be repeated and that others schools could take up the idea, saying around 50 people turned up for the session.
The school points to many reasons for staff turnover including retirement, promotion, desire to move away from the Mornington Peninsula and changed circumstances.
“I have looked at the figures and I think they are fine,” the spokesman said. The calendar year does not take in exits at the end of the 2018 and 2019 year.
In the past week it boasted about five students receiving an ATAR over 99 with the school dux scoring 99.7.
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Ten other students received an ATAR of more than 98. It’s an open school which means entry is not selective, apart from scholarships, and if you can pay the fees up to $29,000 a year in Year 10 to 12, you are welcome.
The school, it is speculated, has employed a marketing company to strategise for a way to “positively connect” and “rebrand” the Peninsula Grammar image.
The posts on social media are thick and fast, celebrating achievements with the hashtag #learngrowflourish.
It is the alma mater of funny men Mick Molloy and Sammy J and one of the country’s most enduring singing artists James Reyne.
At the gateway to the Mornington Peninsula playground of the well heeled, it has had a mixed year.
Last year, the school had to apologise after the wrong part of a VCE subject was taught to students.
This year there has been a damaging court case around the former head of boys’ boarding Christophe Menage. He had raised concerns about living conditions.
Five years ago, there was a stoush over the use of funds from the parents association.
One teacher tells the story of the parent who had withdrawn their child from the school.
After more than a decade at the school they were surprised not to get a response from the school as to why they were withdrawing from the school.
A senior member of another school told the Herald Sun that Peninsula Grammar teachers were often on the applicant lists for jobs at nearby schools.
A family who finished at the school in 2018 said “so many of the staff were not happy”.
The school spokesman said families leave for many reasons.
“We have three families shifting to Queensland,” he said.
The spokesman said satisfaction levels among staff were good and the majority of families were happy.
Peninsula Grammar has recently advertised for a specialist EAL teacher; VCE English teacher, VCE legal studies and commerce teachers,
Last month, the Herald Sun revealed disquiet among teachers at Westbourne Grammar with some teachers upset about the direction of the school.