Officials quiet on absent teacher
EDUCATION officials are refusing to say why the highprofile principal of a Cape York school has not been at work for the past two weeks.
Siobhan Jackson is the acclaimed principal of Lockhart State School, whose work was showcased during an episode of the ABC’s Australian Story, three years ago.
A petition circulated within the indigenous community, however, has called for Ms Jackson to be stood down, accusing her of mismanaging the school.
The petition, which has been signed by dozens of parents and other residents, raises concerns about students’ behaviours not being properly managed.
It also claims she has not been engaging the community in discussions about student management and welfare.
“The attendance policy is, at best, ad hoc and does not work,” the petition’s authors wrote.
“Students are wandering around the town during school hours with little being done to rectify the situation.”
Departmental sources told the Cairns Post there was an internal investigation into the school.
It is understood the Queensland Teachers’ Union has been assisting Ms Jackson, whose job has currently been filled by an acting principal.
Maureen Duffy, the union’s Cape York representative, was not aware of any issues at the school, and declined to comment any further.
A Department of Education spokesman said the department was unable to disclose any information about any issues relating to staff at the school, due to privacy reasons.
Ms Jackson is the widow of ’90s football star Peter Jackson, who died from a heroin overdose in Sydney in 1997.
She is also the sister of the ABC News presenter Joe O’Brien.
The ABC’s Australian Story profiled Ms Jackson’s work at Lockhart River School, “working on the educational front line in an indigenous community that faces its share of addiction and abuse issues.”
The program reported she was credited with “improving attendance rates, and introducing initiatives that have broken down racial barriers.”