Parents join fight against leadership at Launceston Grammar

Disgruntled parents are calling for immediate action to be taken at a prestigious Tasmanian school amid threats of another no confidence vote against the principal by other staff members.

Launceston Church Grammar. Picture: LAUNCESTON CHURCH GRAMMAR

PARENTS unhappy at the leadership of an elite Tasmanian school are calling for immediate action to restore the school’s positive culture.

Independent Education Union Victoria and Tasmania deputy secretary David Brear said parents and carers of Launceston Grammar students were concerned over unrest among staff and dissatisfaction with the directions taken by the school’s leadership.

“Parents have contacted us and have said that they’re really concerned about what’s going on,” he said.

A school parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said she felt devastated about the changes she had seen to the school’s culture, including a “hostile” work environment.

Launceston Church Grammar Principal Richard Ford. Picture: LAUNCESTON CHURCH GRAMMAR

“I know staff that are still working there are thinking of leaving and looking for work, and I know staff that are very unhappy but that are staying for the students in hope it’ll get better,” she said.

She was disappointed to see the ripple effects of some of the decisions being made.

She said with the school canteen now being run privately, it meant parents volunteering could no longer use the facilities to prepare food for students participating in the school’s 24-hour walkathon.

“It’s all eroding that beautiful community that exists at that school,” she said.

“The level of unhappiness and stress among staff would have to impact students.

“If that change in culture is not addressed immediately, people will be looking back and asking what happened.”

She said she decided to approach the union because something had to be done.

“I felt that if I don’t speak up, who will?”

At a meeting on February 21, 55 staff members at the school voted to seek permission from the Fair Work Commission to take protected industrial action.

Mr Brear said the staff, who are also members of the IEU, passed a motion expressing their dissatisfaction with the school’s senior leadership and called on the board to implement changes, such as replacing headmaster Richard Ford.

At a meeting expected to take place on Wednesday, another motion of no confidence is expected to be moved against Mr Ford.

About 40 staff are believed to have left the school since Mr Ford became headmaster about two years ago.

Industrial action was a very real possibility, Mr Brear said.

“I think that industrial action at a school like Launceston Grammar is unprecedented,” he said.

Launceston Grammar and Mr Ford declined to comment.

“If industrial action happens, there’s a very real prospect the school’s operations will be really hampered and parts of the school will need to close down.

“The board should ask why staff are so agitated that they would take these steps.”

Launceston Grammar and Mr Ford declined to comment.