Sat 29 Sep 2012 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Nigel Studdart on Close Up after he was suspended A week and a half after being sacked, Whangarei teacher Nigel Studdart has been given five reasons for his dismissal from Pompallier Catholic College, after he supported students who protested in favour of marriage equality. The protest came about after the school's principal used a school newsletter to list his opposition to gay couples being allowed to marry. After initially being suspended, Studdart was later fired at a lengthy Board of Trustee meeting. He says a letter signed by the BOT Chair Stuart Otene and Acting Chair Trish Scoonderwoerd lists the following reasons for his dismissal: 1. You contributed to a Facebook page, organising students and staff in opposition to the Principal and Board/School. 2.You actively organised student opposition, including a demonstration at the school gate, issuing of ribbons and wristbands and other activities as a way of encouraging student/staff protest against the Principal/School. 3. The use of social media included establishing another Facebook page to get around the initial removal closure. 4. You initiated contact with the media including national television, participated in interviews and making statements that were very damaging/critical of the Principal, Board and College. 5.The allegations directed through the social and general media were to the effect that the school discriminates against Parents, threatens/frightens students as well of various attacks on the student college. "So I note the putting students staff at risk has disappeared which was as I understand it the grounds for my suspension?" Studdart has responded "Now I note I did not do much of the above and that will come out with evidence in mediation and court if needed. I also note that the real offence of standing up for the students and Bill of Rights, protecting students in my class and daring to have a contrary opinion to the " ALMIGHTY PRINCIPAL", who was hired by the same board that fired me is not listed," he writes. Studdart adds that the former Chair who hired the principal was drafted in for the disciplinary meeting was instead of the new Chair who was away at a conference. "I also note that present at the disciplinary hearing was the student representative. Now I thought this unusual and asked the PPTA rep Helen Pearce , who said 'I have never seen a student rep at a BOT disciplinary hearing before'. Good practice? Or designed to humiliate I will leave up to you," the teacher says. "I have no problem with our student rep, he is a confident and accomplished young man, but should he be present and is it fair to him in his school life to be one of the board disciplining a teacher who if the outcome had gone the other way he would have to work with? "Wait that cant be right? So I guess they had already decided the outcome for surely they would not put a student in this position and upset the delicate balance of power they seem so concerned with. Self evident? I would think so."
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 29th September 2012 - 4:22pm