By Lucy Carroll and Anthony Segaert
The King’s School has been ordered to stop the planned construction of a plunge pool at its headmaster’s residence after a government investigation found it would be an improper use of the school’s money.
The Department of Education launched an audit of King’s last year over concerns about possible misuse of taxpayer money after the school’s council approved a request by the headmaster to have a pool built at his on-site residence.
The King’s School has been ordered to immediately cease any payments relating to a proposed plunge pool.Credit: Rhett Wyman
The Herald reported the council approved the building of a two-by-three-metre pool at the residence of headmaster Tony George in June last year, saying “the headmaster’s package will be adjusted to reflect this expenditure”. It faced criticism from some parents who questioned the school’s spending priorities. The state’s oldest private school charges up to $41,460 per year.
A letter sent by the department, seen by the Herald, instructed the school to immediately stop any payments toward the pool’s construction.
The letter said the school must “cease, from the date of this Direction onwards, making payments for property, goods or services which relate to the construction of a plunge pool at the Headmaster’s residence”.
“The making of such payments is in breach of the school’s obligation not to operate for profit, as the payments are not required for the operation of the school ... and are unreasonable in the circumstances having regard to the fact that financial assistance is provided to the School by the Minister.”
NSW schools that receive government funding must not operate for profit, under section 83 of the Education Act.
“The King’s School has been directed to immediately cease making any payments which relate to the construction of a plunge pool at the Headmaster’s residence, in accordance with the Education Act 1990,” a department spokesperson said. “The payments are not required for the operation of the school.”
But the King’s School insisted the council “had not made a final decision on a pool”, and that it was only “a concept that was being investigated at a high level”. It is unclear whether the school had made any payments for the plunge pool. While construction had not begun on the site, architectural plans were submitted to the school council.
Authorities are also investigating a controversial trip by headmaster Tony George (inset) and his deputy to the Henley Royal Rowing Regatta in London.Credit: Getty/Supplied
Authorities are also investigating a controversial trip by the headmaster, his deputy and their wives in a first-class flight to the world’s most prestigious rowing event in London. It is believed that George and his wife downgraded their tickets to business class, and the deputy principal paid for the trip out of his own pocket.
“Expenditure relating to the headmaster and others travelling to the Henley Royal Rowing Regatta is the subject of ongoing proceedings,” a spokesperson for the education department said. “We cannot make further comment.”
The school did not respond to questions regarding these expenses. The findings of this section of the audit are yet to be concluded.
If the school does not accept the department’s order, it will be referred to the department’s advisory committee, which would consider the school’s for-profit or non-compliance status.
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