‘Rebel’ All Black may lose job

Press, 24 April 1986, Page 1

‘Rebel’ All Black may lose job

By

JOHN BROOKS

The teaching job held by the rugby "rebel,” Warwick Taylor, at Burnside High School is in peril. Taylor, who has joined the renegade Cavaliers in South Africa, is required to be back at his post on Monday. If not, he will be at the mercy of the Education Department. A request by Taylor for unpaid leave to play rugby in South Africa has been declined by Bumside High School’s board of governors. Taylor, who specialises in physical education instruction, sought leave from April 22 until June 9. In a letter to the board, he said that during this period he would be playing rugby in South Africa “in a private capacity.” However, this request did not meet the requirements of the board, said its chairman, Mr Alan Taylor, yesterday. Mr Taylor is not related to Warwick Taylor. “Warwick Taylor applied for short-term leave,” said Mr Alan Taylor. “Such leave is given only for approved study, secondment elsewhere in

education, temporary relief teaching, family reasons, or ill health. “Also, teachers involved in first-class sport can be given leave to play in recognised sport in New Zealand or overseas. Such leave is given by the board under Education Department regulations.” Mr Taylor noted that Warwick Taylor was granted leave to play in the International Rugby Board’s centennial celebration matches in England and Wales last week, and was expected to return to teaching at the school on April 28. “Instead, the board this week got a letter from Warwick Taylor in which he asked for his leave to be extended,” Mr Taylor said. “In this letter he said he had not decided to go to South Africa until he reached England.” The lateness of his application for leave was a result of this. “Should Warwick Taylor not be back to resume teaching at the school on Monday, the Education Department’s regulations will be followed,” Mr Taylor said.