Students protest Trinity Grammar sacking at performing arts night

STUDENTS from Trinity Grammar made jokes at the expense of the beleaguered headmaster and chanted “bring back Brownie” in front of thousands of teachers and parents last night.

STUDENTS from Trinity Grammar made jokes at the expense of their beleaguered headmaster and chanted “bring back Brownie” in front of thousands of teachers and parents last night.

Chaos continues at the Kew school, with students vowing to keep wearing plain clothes for as long as necessary to protest the sacking of long-standing deputy headmaster Rohan Brown for cutting a student’s hair.

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

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The school community gathered at the Convention Centre last night for the annual House Performing Arts Festival.

The headmaster Dr Michael Davies was in attendance but did not present the prize to the winning house as is customary.

Trinity Grammar students created a Family Feud style tribute with a nod to the school’s chaos during the performance. Picture: Supplied

Rather, he sat in silence while students delivered a string of stinging rebukes and remarks from the stage.

The most strident was Kent Hughes house, which delivered a Family Feud game show segment mentioning the turnover of staff and the controversial creation of the new post of Director of Students.

Trinity Grammar students protest the sacking last week. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The final “score” was teachers, minus 152 and students plus 100. The minus 152 was a reference to the number of staff who have left under Dr Davies’ leadership.

Other houses also weighed in, including Cowen house, which presented a performance based on Rocky the boxer, who was told his hair was getting too long and needed to be cut — a reference to Mr Brown.

Parents at the performing arts night were asked to wear black as a protest and about one third did so.

School officials have also moved to cancel the school’s Open Day this weekend, noting the “difficult” time the school is going through.

Prior to the school event, new school council chairman Rob Utter released the terms of reference for the independent review of Mr Brown’s sacking, led by Ray Finkelstein, QC.

The terms include the process followed leading to the dismissal of Mr Brown, the fairness of the decision and whether the decision was justified, reasonable or proportionate.

It is expected to be discussed at a meeting of the Parents’ Association tonight, which has already been moved to a larger venue.

The association attracted the ire of many parents after it endorsed the actions of the school council, the official body that sacked Mr Brown.

Residents near Trinity Grammar have painted their fences with messages in support of Rohan Brown.

Meanwhile, local residents have also joined the campaign to bring back Mr Brown, with one resident adjoining the school campus painting his roof and fence with slogans including: “Democracy at work in Kew”, “Bring Brownie back”, “Michael Davies to go”, and “Sack the board”.

The roof reads: “Sack the headmaster, sack the board.”

It is understood the signs were not vandalism but were painted by the owners of the house.

It comes as nearly 7000 people have signed a change.org petition started by students to reinstate Mr Brown.

The Trinity Old Grammarians Association, which has threatened to pursue legal action, said a Trinity Fighting Fund was being formed to collect donations from supporters.