Key Takeaways:
- Former Yipirinya School principal Gavin Morris has been found guilty of aggravated assault against four students.
- Questions have been raised about Morris’s suitability for the role, with concerns about his lack of experience in school leadership positions.
- The school is facing uncertainty due to dwindling enrolments, a $3.7 million deficit, and staff redundancies.
- The school has appointed its third principal in less than a year, with Greg Hollis taking up the role.
- There are concerns about the selection process that appointed Morris as principal, with allegations of harassment and bullying made against him.
Introduction to the Case
The case of former Yipirinya School principal Gavin Morris has raised serious concerns about the suitability of individuals for leadership roles in schools. Morris was recently found guilty of aggravated assault against four students, including choking a pupil, holding another in a chokehold, and dragging two pupils by their ears. This has led to questions about how Morris was appointed to the role in the first place, and whether the selection process was thorough enough.
Background on Gavin Morris
Gavin Morris was appointed as the principal of Yipirinya School in 2021, despite having limited experience in school leadership positions. The selection panel that appointed Morris included two referees who provided glowing reports, but neither of them had worked with Morris in a school environment. The referees commented positively on Morris’s leadership experience, but did not provide examples of his leadership in a school setting. Morris’s LinkedIn page notes several previous educational board appointments and roles on education advisory councils, but he did not respond to questions about whether he held any senior roles at schools.
Concerns about Morris’s Leadership
There have been concerns raised about Morris’s leadership style and behavior, with allegations of harassment and bullying made against him. An email from independent consultant Nicole Travers, who worked at Yipirinya School, mentioned a complaint made by a teacher about Morris’s behavior. The complaint was corroborated by Marese Peachy, a former teaching assistant, who claimed that Morris had a "distinct bullying attitude" towards children and staff. However, the complaint was ultimately withdrawn when Morris departed the school.
Selection Process Under Scrutiny
The selection process that appointed Morris as principal has come under scrutiny, with questions about whether the panel did their due diligence in investigating Morris’s background. The official from the Northern Territory Department of Education responded to the email from Travers by stating that the selection process had been finalized, but did not address the allegations made against Morris. There is no suggestion that the selection panel was aware of the allegations when they recommended Morris for the role.
Future of Yipirinya School
The future of Yipirinya School is uncertain, with dwindling enrolments, a $3.7 million deficit, and staff redundancies. The school has appointed its third principal in less than a year, with Greg Hollis taking up the role. The school’s existence is under a cloud, with only 50 students turning up to class on a recent Thursday, down from a peak enrolment of 360. The school’s board and the Northern Territory Department of Education will need to work together to address the challenges facing the school and ensure its long-term sustainability.
Conclusion
The case of Gavin Morris highlights the importance of thorough background checks and due diligence in the selection process for school leaders. The allegations of harassment and bullying made against Morris, as well as his lack of experience in school leadership positions, raise serious concerns about his suitability for the role. The future of Yipirinya School is uncertain, and it will require careful planning and management to ensure its long-term sustainability. The Northern Territory Department of Education and the school’s board must take steps to address the challenges facing the school and ensure that the students receive the education they deserve.
