Launceston Grammar principal apologises to staff after two votes of no confidence in his leadership

The headmaster of a Launceston private school says he has “listened and learned” after a second vote of no confidence in his leadership.

EMBATTLED Launceston Grammar headmaster Richard Ford has reached out to staff to apologise for “unintentionally” causing frustrations over consultation and communication.

It comes after a meeting with staff and the Independent Education Union on Wednesday, where a group of staff members backed a second vote of no confidence in his leadership and called for Mr Ford to be removed from his position.

“It is disappointing to me and many in our school community, that our great and proud school of 175 years has been portrayed so differently to the people of Tasmania in recent media coverage,” Mr Ford said.

“But there is an upside, and important and constructive outcomes.”

Launceston Church Grammar principal Richard Ford.

In the email, Mr Ford said as a result of EBA negotiations he had a number of constructive conversations with staff where issues and concerns were raised, and that he “actively listened”.

“I am aware that I have, unintentionally, frustrated some members of our staff in past communication and consultation about change at Launceston Grammar,” he said.

“I have listened and learned and I see a way forward that will give all staff the opportunity to have their opinion and be heard.”

Despite the frustrations among staff, school board chairman Nigel Bailey reiterated Mr Ford had their “full backing”.

“It is disappointing that a vote of no confidence has been carried, but this vote needs to be put in context,’’ he said.

“It was a motion proposed and actively promoted by the Independent Education Union in the midst of enterprise agreement negotiations for staff at Launceston Grammar.”

Launceston Church Grammar.

Despite the frustrations among staff, school board chairman Nigel Bailey reiterated Mr Ford had their “full backing”.

“It is disappointing that a vote of no confidence has been carried, but this vote needs to be put in context,’’ he said.

“It was a motion proposed and actively promoted by the Independent Education Union in the midst of enterprise agreement negotiations for staff at Launceston Grammar.”

But Independent Education Union assistant secretary David Brear said the union had been calling for the board to meet with a delegation of members to discuss a way forward.

“The school board seems to be trying to convince everyone through the media that the no confidence motion in the headmaster is some form of union beat-up,” he said.

“At the same time, the headmaster is writing to his own staff admitting the problem is real and that significant change needs to take place to address it.

“The no confidence motion was motivated by a desire to avoid further damage being done to the school’s culture, not by a desire to bring it down.

“The staff that put that motion up should be thanked.”