Parental pressure results in Christchurch principal’s resignation

The principal of Our Lady of Victories School in Sockburn,  Christchurch, Barbara Perry, has resigned.

Catholic Education Office chief executive Pat Lynch said,  “These things do happen from time to time, but they don’t happen often.”

“It’s important that in situations like this, we face the future and rebuild confidence.”

Lynch said the school has a loyal following, and many parents care about its future.

The resignation came after a group of parents, named Save Our Lady of Victories (SOLV), began collecting signatures for a petition of no trust and confidence in Perry.

The school has been under the statutory management of commissioner Murray Strong since January 2012 after the previous board of trustees was dissolved as a result of issues related to inadequate board systems and processes, and poor communication.

Perry was suspended by Strong in October for “serious misconduct”, which she denied.

The Employment Relations Authority ordered she last week be reinstated until after mediation between the two.

Strong told The Press that Perry had decided to “resign in the interests of the school being able to move forward at this time”.
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