Nigel Studdart (Facebook) Northland teacher Nigel Studdart has officially begun personal grievance proceedings against the Whangarei Catholic high school which fired him for supporting students in a marriage equality process. “This will be the first step in fighting this injustice to me, my students and the national tolerant community,” Studdart says in a statement. The science teacher was sacked by the Pompallier Catholic College Board of Trustees after he backed students who protested the school principal Richard Stanton's column against marriage equality, in a school newsletter. Among the five reasons he’s since been given for his sacking are contribution to a Facebook page against the column, organising student opposition and speaking to the media about the situation. Secondary teachers’ union the PPTA is supporting Studdart. “I thank all of you from the depths of my heart for the wonderful support that has come in worldwide from every sector of society,” the teacher says as he begins the legal process. “This is only the beginning of this battle it will not quietly go away and neither will I,” he continues. “All my students and their parents, regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation will continue to be foremost in my thoughts.” The teacher has previously told GayNZ.com Daily News he feels the decision to sack him as “madness”, and sends a shocking message to gay students, adding surely everyone is entitled to free speech. While the school has not commented beyond its list of reasons for firing him, Pat Lynch from the Catholic Schools Office says teachers do sign agreements to support their school’s values. “You can disagree yourself, but you cannot then use the school in terms of a platform to promote something which simply is not supported by the school’s ethos,” he has told Radio New Zealand. ”And most people would understand that.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 10th October 2012 - 4:06pm