Questions raised about Alice Springs principal’s suitability have emerged following Gavin Morris’s conviction for aggravated assault against students while he was the principal of Yipirinya School. The conviction has prompted scrutiny of the selection process that led to his appointment in 2021, particularly regarding the references obtained and the information available to the selection board. This situation unfolds amidst existing challenges at the school, including dwindling enrolments and financial deficits.
Table of contents
Official guidance: USA.gov – official guidance for Questions raised about Alice Springs principal’s suitability
Background Context
Yipirinya School, an independent Indigenous school in Alice Springs established in 1978, has faced considerable turmoil in recent times. Prior to the controversy surrounding Gavin Morris, the school experienced instability in its leadership, appointing three principals in less than a year. Greg Hollis recently assumed the role after the dismissal of Justin Colley, highlighting the challenges the school faces. These leadership changes occurred against a backdrop of declining student numbers and a significant $3.7 million deficit, placing the school’s future in jeopardy. Gavin Morris’s tenure ended with his dismissal, preceding his conviction on multiple counts of aggravated assault against students.
The legal proceedings revealed that Morris was found guilty of choking one student, holding another in a chokehold, and dragging two pupils by their ears. He was acquitted on one count related to allegedly choking a different student. These findings have intensified the scrutiny on the process by which he was appointed, leading to questions raised about Alice Springs principal’s suitability for the position.
Concerns Regarding the Appointment Process
Documents presented in parliament have brought to light questions raised about Alice Springs principal’s suitability, specifically whether the board responsible for appointing Gavin Morris sought references from individuals who had worked with him in a school setting. The Northern Territory Department of Education established the board in 2021 to identify a new principal for Yipirinya School. The report from the selection panel, tabled by NT Education and Training Minister Jo Hersey, included positive referee reports from a university colleague and an Indigenous community leader. However, it appears neither referee had direct experience working with Morris in a school environment.
While the referees spoke positively about Morris’s leadership abilities, with one mentioning his work at a Daly River school, there were no documented examples of his leadership within a school context. Neither referee responded to requests for comment from the ABC. The selection report did note that Morris had “held leadership positions in Indigenous schools” and provided “extensive examples of his leadership in schools and outside of schools”, but this information is now being heavily questioned.
Contradictory Accounts of Morris’s Experience
Fiona McLoughlin, an experienced teacher in the Northern Territory who served as interim principal of Yipirinya School in 2020-2021, was also interviewed for the permanent role but was unsuccessful. She stated that Morris’s leadership experience in a school setting was “non-existent” and that he had never been a principal, particularly at a complex school like Yipirinya. This directly contradicts the information presented to the selection panel. Questions raised about Alice Springs principal’s suitability are now centered on the accuracy of the information provided during the hiring process.
Further complicating the matter, Fran Enilane, Morris’s line manager at St Francis Xavier School in Daly River, confirmed that he worked there from 2016 to 2018. However, she clarified that his roles were limited to PE teacher and Student Behaviour & Well-Being Coordinator. Enilane stated that his contract was not renewed, and he left when informed his employment would not be extended beyond the probation period. She also stated she was never contacted for a reference and expressed surprise at his appointment at Yipirinya. Enilane emphasized that Morris did not have extensive leadership experience at St Francis Xavier. These details further fuel the questions raised about Alice Springs principal’s suitability and the due diligence conducted before his appointment.
Allegations of Harassment and Bullying
An email obtained by the ABC from independent consultant Nicole Travers, who worked at Yipirinya School, to an official at the Department of Education, sheds further light on potential concerns raised before Morris’s appointment. The email, sent shortly after the selection panel’s recommendation, indicates that Travers spoke with Fran Enilane, who provided “alarming” information. While Travers did not want to put secondhand information in writing, she mentioned that Enilane told her of another teacher making a complaint against Morris about “harassment and bullying.” This information raises even more serious questions raised about Alice Springs principal’s suitability and whether these concerns were adequately investigated prior to his hiring.
Morris, who attained a PhD in anthropology in 2020 and lectured at Charles Darwin University, did not respond to requests for comment. His LinkedIn profile lists previous educational board appointments and roles on education advisory councils. However, the focus remains on his lack of extensive leadership experience within school settings and the allegations of misconduct, all contributing to the ongoing questions raised about Alice Springs principal’s suitability for leading Yipirinya School.
The conviction of Gavin Morris and the subsequent revelations regarding the selection process have cast a shadow over Yipirinya School. The questions raised about Alice Springs principal’s suitability highlight the need for thorough vetting and comprehensive background checks when appointing leaders, especially in educational institutions serving vulnerable communities. As the school navigates its financial challenges and leadership transitions, addressing these concerns and ensuring a safe and supportive environment for students will be paramount.
Note: Information based on credible sources and industry analysis.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general guidance only and may contain affiliate links. Always verify details with official sources.
Explore more: related articles.
