St Joseph’s School principal resigns
The embattled principal of St Joseph’s Catholic School in Hamilton has resigned and four staff have followed suit after months of unrest over school management.
Arnna Graham-sommerville announced her resignation on April 29, and it will take effect on June 29. She has been on indefinite leave since January. Four other staff members, including the deputy principal and senior management, have also resigned to take up positions at other schools.
The resignations follow allegations of nepotism, bullying and financial mismanagement at the school, which resulted in an investigation by the Ministry of Education.
Parents were also concerned, with some writing letters slating the principal and those attacking her.
Ms Graham-sommerville’s support person, and parent of former students at St Joseph’s, Chris Mangan, said the staff left due to ‘‘ongoing discontent in the school’’.
‘‘I’m very disappointed because it’s torn the school apart.’’
He said more than 40 of about 370 students had also left the school since late last year. A letter was sent to parents last month that ‘‘exonerated’’ Ms Graham-sommerville of any wrongdoing, Mr Mangan said.
‘‘There’s a lot of misinformation out there that needs to be put right.’’
At the request of the board of trustees, the Ministry of Education appointed commissioner Trevor Kilpin in December to oversee the management of the school and to carry out an investigation.
Mr Kilpin confirmed that Ms GrahamSommerville had resigned.
‘‘It’s been an employment issue and it had to be dealt with.’’ He said she was not forced out and ‘‘it was her decision to resign’’.
He would not comment as to what the conflict between the principal and the board was, or about the findings of the ministry’s investigation.
He said three staff had left the school on promotion to other schools, and a fourth would leave at the end of the term.
‘‘They weren’t under a cloud in any way, they’re very good staff and they’ve won promotions.
‘‘I think they’ve gone for the right reasons.’’
Robert Batters, who pulled his children out of the school, said he was confident the school could move forward now.
Ministry of Education acting regional manager Chris Day said the findings of the investigation were confidential.
He said the ministry was alerted in November last year about concerns relating to relationships between the principal and the board, the staff and the community.
Mr Kilpin is now working to appoint a new principal.
Ms Graham-sommerville was unable to comment last night.