“Unethical” Race For School Staff

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30977, 5 February 1966, Page 16

“Unethical” Race For School Staff

The new Hagley High School Board had some heated argument last evening on the propriety of the headmaster (Mr T. R. Richards) asking wanted teachers (as soon as applications closed) whether they would accept positions at the school.

“I am an old-fashioned moralist,” said Mr R. Jones, who raised the objection. “I think all applications should be considered by the appointments committee and its recommendations approved by the board.”

Mr J. G. Johnston said that if the appointments committee was not to receive all applications, he wished his name struck off it. Both were members of the board of the former Christchurch Technical High School, which merged with West High School to form Hagley. The issue arose when Mr H. Filer, at present first assistant, was appointed to the new position of deputyprincipal. Mr Richards submitted a recommendation on two applications to the full board. Mr Jones then asked why the appointments committee was not called. Need to Act

Mr Richards said that as the board was meeting so soon he reported direct on this senior appointment. In certain other circumstances it was necessary for headmasters to “communicate” with the best applicant before another school did the same.

The chairman (Mr H. R. Peers) said he had known of this practice for 15 years, particularly in filling science and mathematics positions, and the appointments comr.ittee and board had never objected nor had an unsatisfactory choice been made. Chosen staff stayed long. Could not the committee meet on the day applications closed? asked Mr F. H. Dephoff, another former Technical member. “1 don’t think you know

what happens, for instance, at 9 a.m. on October 15,” said Mr Richards. “Fifty or 60 telegrams arrive at each Teachers’ College in effect offering jobs the moment new graduates become available. I know it’s unethical but everyone has to do it or we just won’t get the best staff.” Mr Johnston then asked that his name be removed from the appointments committee if this was to continue. As a teacher and on other boards he had known worthy points in applicants and committee members’ personal knowledge and judgment being by-passed, The secretary (Mr P. J. Halligan) said the practice reported by Mr Richards was general throughout the country. In the past it had, strictly, been illegal. The new Education Act now gave boards authority to delegate power to appoint. Mr Richards said many attempts had been made to get a gentlemen’s agreement among principals but no satisfactory solution had been reached. “We all have to get staff,” he said. Eventually the new board agreed that its appointments committee (at one stage mooted for dissolution) should meet on every occasion staff were to be appointed with power to act if necessary.

“It is a pity we can’t compel all other boards to do likewise,” said Mr Johnston. “They know we do not approve,” said Mr H. R. Peers.

Sulphur Fire.—A small fire in sulphur at Kempthorne and Prosser Company, Ltd,. Hornby, was attended to by Sockburn and Headquarters stations firemen at 5.6 p.m. yesterday.