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A WA school principal has been stood down from her role for urging parents to keep students home at the start of term two, against Education Department advice.
Key points:
- The message asked for most children to remain home if possible
- The WA Government had encouraged children to return to the classroom
- It comes after a fight between the Government and the teachers' union
Bronwyn White, who was principal of Halls Head College near Mandurah, was not on site for the first day of the new term after sending a letter to parents asking only children of essential workers or those unable to stay home attend in the first week back.
The plea appeared to contradict the advice of WA Premier Mark McGowan and Education Minister Sue Ellery, who had insisted in the lead-up to the first day that children should be encouraged to attend, but that parents had the option to keep them home if they wished.
"Obviously, we will do our best to accommodate every learner who attends face to face," Ms White's letter said.
"However, we cannot adequately apply physical distancing and safety requirements if we have the entire College community recommencing Week 1. We simply do not have the physical space required with 1,450 students.
"Currently we have placed an order for critical and additional cleaning supplies but have been told these are in short supply and at this point it is unlikely these will be available for the commencement of school.
"The Department has acquired the necessary supplies for all schools, however at this point I can't guarantee they will be ready for Day One."
Ms White reassured parents online learning would continue for students at home.
"Staff have put a lot of effort into preparing these online and 'offline' work packages and resources to avoid a loss of momentum in student learning," she said in the letter.
A letter, then a retraction
The message to parents was sent last Friday, before a retraction was issued on Tuesday — the day before term two was set to recommence.
"I apologise for any confusion created by the letter sent out last Friday," Ms White wrote.
"I need to retract the letter sent last week that was not in line with Departmental expectations. I am writing to confirm that school is open for all students to attend.
"The expectation is that school will be running as per normal. All classes will run Face to Face with a normal timetable operating and both at home and online learning will also be accommodated."
The WA Department of Education confirmed Alen Kursur had been appointed as acting principal, but said any matter relating to an individual's employment was confidential and it would be inappropriate to provide any detail.
Teachers at odds with Premier over school return
Last week Ms Ellery said schools would be open for all students to attend, but parents would have the choice to keep their children home.
Year 11 and 12 students were strongly advised to attend.
But the return to school was marked by a public fight between the Government and the State School Teachers Union of WA, which posted full-page newspaper adverts asking for parents to keep children home.
This came after confusion about whether a 1.5 metre social distancing rule should be applied in schools in line with official health advice. The union was concerned this was impractical in a class setting.
But Prime Minister Scott Morrison later clarified the advice had been updated to make clear it did not apply in school classes.
Ms Ellery reaffirmed the 1.5 metre social distancing rule did not apply in schools in line with health advice.
"The advice has been from the beginning — and is now, because of the low risk of transmission — schools are safe for staff and students, and should stay open," Ms Ellery said on Friday.
Principal 'in good spirits' despite investigation
WA Secondary School Executives Association president Armando Giglia told ABC Radio Perth he was not sure how the matter was raised with the Education Department, but it was being investigated in line with the normal process.
"I know that Bronwyn was trying to work for her community, she's a good principal out there and everyone acknowledges that, and that's why I'm saying thanks to the people who have supported her," Mr Giglia said.
"But this is something that's a departmental process it needs to go through and we'll support her the same as we've done in the past with others.
Mr Giglia said she sent the original email before Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced social distancing requirements did not apply to classrooms.
He said he had spoken to Ms White about the matter and she was in "good spirits".
"She feels that she put that letter out seeking some stuff, she might have gone too far so she retracted it, but it was the same concerns that many people had at the time, because we didn't know what the scenario was going to be," he said.
Parents speak out in support
Angela, whose children attend Halls Head College, called in to ABC Radio Perth and said Ms White was a great leader at the school.
"I fully stand by what Bronwyn has done, she was only looking out for her students and staff," she said.
"As a parent I don't want to send my kids back to school, why send them back when there's social distancing out everywhere we go but at school they say it doesn't matter?"
Shelley, whose daughter is a year 12 student at the school, told ABC Radio Perth it was "bureaucracy gone crazy"
"She has given all of us information stating it all very clearly for us to understand the process," she said.
"My daughter hasn't gone back yet because it's been asked that she doesn't start until next week, I'm more than happy for my daughter to return to school knowing that Bronwyn has got everything in hand.
Premier stands by health advice
Mr McGowan said the investigation was a matter for the Education Department, but reiterated that the workforce should accept the health advice about schools.
"The advice was that schools are safe, so schools are safe," he said.
"We've got measures in place to keep children and staff safe and everyone needs to work together to make that happen.
"People can raise issues with the department and if you have issues with your employer, raise them with your employer and that opportunity is there for staff and schools across the state.
"I'm sure the department will manage it, I just urge everyone to listen to the advice and to accept the health advice that schools are safe."
