TEACHER'S DISMISSAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21595, 13 September 1933, Page 6

TEACHER'S DISMISSAL

A SUCCESSFUL APPEAL

GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL CASEjp PLEDGE BY DEPARTMENT A case of interest to teachers generally was heard by a special Teachers' Appeal Court in Napier a few daygago. This was an appeal brought by Miss Mary McLean, formerly a teacher at the Napier Girls' High School, for alleged wrongful dismissal. The Appeal Board consisted of Messrs. A. M. Mow- . lem, S.M. (chairman), H. E. Edgley and T. It. Cress well. The appellant was represented by Mr. Heron, while ' Mr. Dunn appeared on behalf of the respondent, the Napier Secondary Education Board. On May 20, 1931, Miss McLean and other teachers received notice of their dismissal, the reason being to "clear the decks" pending the amalgamation of the Technical and High Schools, which came about after the earthquake. Later Miss McLean was informed that she was reappointed temporarily. For various reasons this appointment was extended from time to time, but on June 19 last she was given notice of • ? final dismissal, and it was against that notice that she appealed. In • opening the proceedings, Mr. Dunn gave the following reasons for Miss McLean's dismissal:—(a) -Her teaching was not considered up to the required senior standard; (b) her range of subjects was too small; (c) she was not capable to teaching French in the upper forms, a most necessary, requirement. Amplifying- these reasons, he stated that Miss McLean's subjects were Latin and mathematics. For days and days, however, she begged the lady principal to allow her to drop Latin. This was allowed. - In support of his submission, Mr. Dunn called the principal of the Napier Girls' High School, Doris May Arthur, who stated that Miss McLean, as a teacher, was painstaking, but rather slow and dull. Her main weakness was . - lack of initiative. Her character and conduct as a woman were excellent. Testimonial from Principal Cross-examined by Mr. Eeron, witness confirmed the writing of the following testimonial for Miss McLean:— "Miss Mary McLean, 8.A., has been on the staff of this school since May, 1926, holding an A position. During that time she has taught English and Latin to middle forms, and mathematics to more advanced stages, including this year University Entrance and Higher Leaving Certificate stage, with good results. Miss McLean is a most conscientious and hard-working teacher, who is unsparing of her efforts for the improvement of her pupils. She has always been deciddQly successful in dealing with a backward or difficult form. She has taken charge of the teachers' library and circulating library all the time she has been here, and for one year (during the absence of a colleague on long leave) took entire charge of the stationery. cupboard. Miss McLean is a gentlewoman of sterling character and high ideals, who will give of her best services in any school to which she is appointed." - Mr. Heron: Do you still hold to that testimonial? —Yes.

The nest witness was chief inspector of secondary schools, Edward James Parr, who expressed the view that Miss McLean did not have sufficient personality or teaching ability to be the senior teacher at the school. In answer to Mr. Heron, witness -said he believed that-the department gave an assurance that no teacher would suffer as a result of the amalgamation. It that were true, the department would be bound to keep its promise. Appellant's Qualifications Mr. Heron stated that Miss McLean had been teaching in secondary schools in New Zealand for over 23 years. At every school at which ,she had taught she. had obtained an excellent testimonial. At the time of her being graded as A, Mr. Heron submitted that Miss McLean had been absolutely qualified for that standard. Since an A grade qualification was sufficient for a teacher to be appointed to the posiof principal, it was surely indicated that a teacher 'with A grading was considered to possess the qualities regarded as essential for a principal; and these qualities must have been possessed by Miss McLean, since she had the A grade qualifications. Another point in favour of her qualifications was the excellent testimonial given her by Miss Arthur. •

After evidence had been heard in support of appellant's case, the Appeal Board gave a finding that the appeal be sustained, and that the Education Department be asked to honour its pledge and find a position for Miss McLean before January 31, 1934, when her present engagement terminates, at a salary corresponding to the amount provided on her -grading at the date stated.