Launceston Grammar staff face disciplinary action over monitored emails

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STAFF emails at a prestigious Tasmanian school are being monitored following a year of unrest among staff and the school’s leadership team.

This comes after three successful votes of no confidence were undertaken at Launceston Grammar against embattled headmaster Richard Ford and one motion passed to condemn the school’s board for failing to remove Mr Ford from his position.

Mr Ford had previously apologised for unintentionally frustrating some members of staff in past communication and consultation about change at the school.

A Launceston Grammar staff member, who wished to remain anonymous, said as emails were being monitored in December some staff disciplined due to comments they made in messages.

Headmaster Richard Ford confirmed the school’s head of mathematics would continue as a teacher this year following findings that the school’s code of conduct had been breached.

Independent Education Union Tasmania and Victoria assistant secretary David Brear said there had been further resignations at the end of the school year.

Earlier in December, the school confirmed seven staff members had left in 2020.

One of those to leave was beloved Head of Junior Campus Jane King.

Launceston Grammar headmaster Richard Ford. Picture: LCGS

Mr Ford said Ms King left Launceston Grammar to take up a principal role on the North-West Coast.

“While we miss her presence at Launceston Grammar, she leaves with the best wishes of the entire school community,” she said.

“In 2020, one full-time and two-part time teachers left the Junior Campus.”

Year 6 teacher Jessica Fawcett was announced as the interim replacement for Ms King.

She is a former student and has been teaching at the school for about five years.

“As Acting Head of Junior Campus, Jessica will work closely with an experience Junior Campus Leadership Team while the school undertakes the recruitment process for the school’s next head of junior campus,” Mr Ford said.

“Launceston Grammar has also appointed Ms Michelle Phillips as staff leadership mentor for term one.

“Ms Phillips is a highly experienced leader who has served as head of middle school as Geelong Grammar School and prior to this was head of the junior school at Firbank School.”

Mr Brear said after speaking to sources at the school, he understood only about half of the schools’ teaching staff attended the end of year luncheon.

Awards were handed out to about eight long-serving staff members, however he said only one was present.

“Schools thrive on good spirit and collegiality. When such large numbers of staff don’t show up to an event you’d have to wonder what’s happened at that place,” he said.

“Staff could not have made their views more clear to the school board. There needs to be a change at the top.”

Late last year board chairman Nigel Bailey said the school was a sought-after destination teaching school, with recently appointed positions attracting interest from across Australia and internationally.

“In 2021, our incoming staff demographic will include teachers from across Tasmania, Victoria, NSW and Western Australia,” he said.

“The focus of Launceston Church Grammar School is on celebrating the achievements of students, staff and the entire school community in what has been a tumultuous year due to COVID-19.”

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