Ballot finds only fraction of Trinity Grammar staff support headmaster

ONLY a fraction of Trinity Grammar staff have expressed support for headmaster Michael Davies in a secret ballot, with most failing to back the decision to dismiss former deputy head Rohan Brown, the Herald Sun can reveal.

ONLY 26 per cent of Trinity Grammar staff have expressed support for headmaster Michael Davies in a secret ballot — and most did not back the decision to dismiss former deputy head Rohan Brown, the Herald Sun can reveal.

The Staff Association, a formally incorporated body at the Kew private boys’ school, held a secret ballot to obtain the views of staff last week.

Around 148 staff members out of a possible 210 association members were involved in the anonymous ballot, which was conducted at the school last Wednesday and Thursday.

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Trinity headmaster Dr Michael Davies

Rohan Brown taking part in the Run for the Kids. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Dr Davies and the school council have been presented with the results which show 26 per cent have confidence in his leadership, 56 per cent do not have confidence and 16 per cent abstained.

The results also showed 80 per cent disagreed with the dismissal of the school’s former deputy head Rohan Brown.

Mr Brown, a popular master at the school for 31 years, was controversially sacked for cutting a boy’s hair on March 8, plunging the institution into chaos.

Today, two staff members who chose to remain anonymous, spoke to the Herald Sun.

“The vote was run as per a federal election with a voters’ roll and a secret ballot,” one teacher said.

Students protest over Mr Brown’s sacking. Picture David Geraghty

“If this was the Liberal party room, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull would be out of a job.

“There is no way the school can heal until Dr Davies leaves. Only when he leaves can the school properly refocus. The staff will continue to leave if he stays.”

The teacher continued: “We are doing this for the students. We are here doing this for the boys. We have been so proud of the boys standing up for what they believe in. They have been organised and passionate.

“We can’t leave them alone in this fight. We need to show our support for what they have done,” the teacher said.

“Dr Davies has a way of pushing about staff, he takes away all that is dear to them, he chips away at them so they eventually resign.”

One staff member said the ballot was the “first opportunity for the group of staff to come together with some sense of protection”.

A truck with a billboard outside Trinity Grammar. Picture: Aaron Francis

Most are on staff agreements barring them from speaking out publicly as teachers of the school, although one teacher, Christopher Bantick, wrote a piece supporting Dr Davies in the Herald Sun last week.

Dr Davies was given a briefing on the ballot’s results by the Staff Association executive at 9am on Monday morning and the results were also sent to the six remaining school council members.

The results of the survey were presented to staff today, along with a reminder for staff to follow the code of conduct which prohibits them from speaking to the media as a staff member without the permission of the Headmaster or releasing information on current events.

“It is important that we continue to uphold the high values and expectations of the school,” a letter on school letterhead from the Staff Association Executive said.

Although discontent has been brewing among staff about Dr Davies’ direction of the school and leadership style for some years, the teachers said his behaviour since Mr Brown’s sacking “had been the breaking point”.

At a recent Parents’ Association meeting, members voted overwhelmingly in support of Mr Brown’s return but were more divided about Dr Davies, with one in four expressing support for his leadership.

A Trinity spokeswoman said: “The school respects the staff association’s desire to conduct a one-off survey at this moment in time, which is a complex and challenging one for the school.

“Trinity has an open approach to feedback, and is committed to continuous staff and student engagement,” she added.

“Both of these valued groups will have more opportunity to contribute views during the upcoming school-wide consultation process.”

A group of parents aiming to restore calm and support Dr Davies and his family has been formed.

Dr Davies declined to comment but has told members of the school community he is committed to staying at the school.

The independent review into Mr Brown’s sacking is proceeding and if Mr Brown is cleared to return, he is expected to be back at the start of term two.