Save Mr Lockhart!
12:00a.m. 21st August 2008
Chancellor State College Principal John Lockhart. Photo: David Thomas/126158
More than 500 angry Sippy Downs residents are expected to attend a meeting at Chancellor Park state school tonight in a bid to keep college principal John Lockhart in his job.
And while education minister Rod Welford has agreed to investigate the selection process for principals, a spokeswoman from his office said yesterday the minister had “no authority” to interfere with the appointment process.
The spokeswoman said the selection criteria was merit-based and was up to a panel to decide, not the minister.
After four years as principal, Mr Lockhart was unsuccessful when he applied for the executive principal position, which came about due to the growth of the school.
The decision has outraged parents and students, many of whom have expressed their support for Mr Lockhart through blogs on thedaily.com.au.
An Education Queensland spokeswoman said the chosen principal had many years of experience in school leadership and would probably take over at the start of the new term.
She said there were no plans to review the appointment decision.
The spokeswoman said Mr Lockhart would have an “important leadership position ... in a school on the Sunshine Coast”, and was in discussions with the regional executive director.
“It is anticipated that arrangements will be in place for Mr Lockhart to commence duty at a school on the Sunshine Coast at the start of term,” she said.
Sippy Downs and District Community Association president Murray Lyons said he expected the meeting to be “jam-packed” with residents and parents concerned about the fact Mr Lockhart had not been re-appointed as college principal.
“It’s quite arrogant (of Education Queensland) to appoint someone to a position without putting the decision up for review, and yet this senior executive will spend six hours a day with our children and our input has been overlooked,” he said.
P&C president Tony Powell said members of the selective committee had been invited to attend the meeting, and residents were being urged to sign a petition to provide a right of appeal against the decision.
He said EQ had made it clear the decision would not be overturned, but residents would discuss taking further action following the meeting.
An Education Queensland representative will attend the community meeting at the Chancellor Primary School Blue hall at 7pm tonight.
Recent Comments
This battle is a long way from over.
Please spread the word about the meeting tonight.
The Hon Rod Welford,
Department of Education, Training and the Arts
PO Box 15033
City East
QLD 4002
Australia
The Hon Anna Bligh
PO Box 15185
City East
Queensland 4002
Demand to know WHY this new principal was appointed over John. Demand to know why a principal who has overseen an established school was seen as more suitable than a visionary, community inspiration who the kids, the parents and the whole school is demanding stays put. Demand transparency. Demand a review. Demand an overturn.
The Chancellor State College community may well react against the assumption that they want dog-eat-dog values to prevail.
However he had no control over employing anyone at that school as it is all based on an outdated point system which simply doesn't work. As an educator with 15 years experience in 3 continents I am amazed that principals now have to uproot and move their family to a new area as they are meant to be the backbone of school community. However, I am sure nurses and police officers understand Mr.Lockhart's plight. Very Ordinary.
Very tough I know but think of the other person who for all we know is even better and can take this school even higher?? Really hard decision folks but for gods sake keep politics out of it as they are definitely elected on popularity only.
Good luck John and the other person, I am sure you will be an asset to any school.
It has to be understood that this decision would have been made - labour party or LNP, it was hardly Rod Welford or Anna Bligh whom were sitting amongst the panel. No, it was zonal directors and people of the profession who have made the judgement.
It is obvious to see that the community feels strongly about this issue, and so they should... good luck to the person who takes over after this!
We should be reminded that someone has been now given the position - how is it possible that the minister step in and say no you cant have it - after he has been judged, by his merit to the position.
Lockhart has taken the school in the direction that hasnt been seen since the first years of the primary school.
Lets not get caught up in politics and throwing around labels of communism etc - because at the end, its doing no good for the students, espeacially year 12, who are dealing with school pressure and now an emotional argument fuelled by comments like those..... lets support John Lockhart in a right of reply but lets accept that Chancellor is heading into a new era - and witht the support of the fantastic staff and students, Johns vision will be continued - with some new ideas.
jboast - you're clearly friends / family of the new guy. If you don't know either - why are you posting.
Don't buy it for a second.
See you all tonight.
last week it was the lack of public oval, the week before it was the traffic flow, the week before it was the polluted waterways and now you are whinging about a person who went through a selection process and missed out to someone more qualified- move on and get over it.
TALL POPPY SYNDROME
John is a victim of his own success.
'To buddy of buderim, There is no complaint about persons qualification, ability or suitability. IT IS ABOUT YOUR LABOUR PARTY, or ANY Party, Government or Beaurocratic body, that passes a sentence or makes a decision and then outrightly REFUSES the "Basic Human Right" of which is "The Right to Appeal" any decision handed down by a Government, Court or Beaurocratic Body. I would've though any fair minded person could grasp that concept, but I stand corrected."
If John (the Principal) wished to, he does have a right, through judicial review. Why hasn't he taken that opportunity?
Mugabe defeated Tsvangirai
Pilot defeated Jesus
EQ defeated Lockhart.
a) The process
b) The motivation of the decision makers
c) The risks this decision poses to the school and the broader school community.
I support the demands of this community for an appeal. I urge the community to continue to demand this right.
Send your letters to:
The Hon Rod Welford,
Department of Education, Training and the Arts
PO Box 15033
City East
QLD 4002
Australia
The Hon Anna Bligh
PO Box 15185
City East
Queensland 4002
Odd, especially given that his troopers have made it very hard for the new guy.
John, you need to move on, and you need to post support for the new guy, here.
I'm sure you know him, just as I am equally sure you are reading this.
Despite the position with which Mr Lockhart and his family are faced he demonstrates such nobility in the way he has conducted himself.
Whilst addressing us students at parade it is obviously that his concerns lay not for himself but for us, his students. His worry for us is what has prevented him from pursuing a review in fear that this increased drama will cause a fault in our education.
We realise it is our duty to him to continue our focus and show the world the greatness and potential he has instituted within our community. Therefore it is on us to return his favours and stand up for him.
He is not just our principle, he is a leader, a friend, a role model and through my 12 years at this school have not seen one man or women achieve and establish close to what Mr Lockhart has.
A process was held and unfortunately Mr Lockhart was not successful. And if my understanding is correct as a former public servant, an appeal could only happen if the recommended applicant was actually promoted. So basically, if the new principal is already at that level, then there is no course for a promotion appeal.
I think it's time everyone moved on. Yes you're upset, but life goes on.
A little research may show a much different light on this situation and show it as it really is, as stated at last nights meeting (Which EQ tried unsuccessfully to stop).
The good news is - the new guy is a good operator. At least - he can MANAGE a well established school - and he can do it well.
However, as stated very accurately in previous posts, there have been many seriously concerning cracks in the process.
There should always be a right of appeal. Unfortunately the system only provisions this 90% of the time . Do your homework tvjunkie. You are misinformed.
There are three benefits to resisting this decision, making as much noise as possibe, writing to the media, and writing to the politicians:
1. It can stop costly, narrow minded, self serving decision making being so easy in the future
2. If the outcry is strong enough, politicians ABSOLUTELY can intervene
3. Our leader (distinct from a manager) will understand how much he was valued, and may consider not leaving the system, where he is needed most.
Stand strong with us. Speak out. Demand explanation. Justice and victory is always possible.
Ho hum.
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