sacking the principal

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Sacking the Principal, Freda Whitlam and PLC by William McKeith

Available in Paperback and on Amazon and from the author

Published 2013 by Schools Active Worldwide

ISBN : (Aust) 978-0-646-59094-3

A revealing insight into the internal workings of a prestigious Australian Private School and the dysfunctional relationship between School Board and School Principal. In 1976, the year after her brother's dismissal as Australian Prime Minister, school Principal Freda Whitlam was removed from her role at Presbyterian Ladies' College after nineteen years in the position. A combination of internal and external forces: Church, national politics, personalities and personal ambitions combined to disrupt her and undermine her effectiveness. Her brother Gough, although never present in her school, was always a presence in the politics of this divided school community.

RRP: AUD$19.95 incl GST

Postage and handling to Australia and abroad: AUD$5.00/copy

Book Reviews

Review for Principal Matters: Debra Crouch

New book launched on Management and School Board relations in Australia's private schools

Paperback price: $19.95, Amazon: $9.99

ABSTRACT

A new Education publication, Sacking the Principal, Freda Whitlam and PLC, written by author, education consultant and former School Principal, Bill McKeith was launched at the end of March. Available in electronic and paperback form, the publication is accessible, informative and somewhat controversial. Bill is a frequent contributor to our publications writing on education issues in both Asia and Australia.


The relationship between the School Principal and the School Board has long been seen as central to the efficient operation and delivery of effective programs in Independent Schools. Management/Board relationships has been one of the constant features of education management discourse over the past fifty years. As schools in the government sector drift towards a more decentralized management structure and as schools and their communities gradually assume greater responsibility for their school's operation and direction, this relationship between senior management and Board has assumed greater significance in the literature. The long term experience of the Independent school sector is invaluable in informing the discussion of this crucial, fragile relationship.

This book tells the story of what can happen when this relationship breaks down. Against a backdrop of one of the most turbulent periods of Australia's political and social history, the book examines the botched dismissal of Freda Whitlam, Principal for nineteen years of Presbyterian Ladies' College Sydney (Croydon), and sister of Gough Whitlam, the Australian Prime Minister. Given access to the school archives and the main players in the school of the time, the author highlights the internal and external forces that together resulted in Whitlam's undermining, and eventual removal from PLC, the year after her brother was dismissed from the Prime Ministership.

Sacking the Principal, Freda Whitlam and PLC, presents a very accessible account of the actions and the incidents that occurred leading up to Whitlam's last days at PLC. The book examines the conduct of the main players, the role of the movement towards the formation of the Uniting Church and the division of the Presbyterian Church, the influence of the national political climate of the time and of the broader economic conditions and the unionization and drive towards pay parity of the independent schools' teaching sector. The book gives a revealing insight of the internal operations of an independent school that enjoys a significant public profile, and the upbringing and career of one of Australia's leading school educators of the period.

This dramatic, precise analysis of Freda Whitlam's removal will be of interest to school leaders, social historians and all who work in organizations and communities that aspire to justice and growth as co-equal values.

Review for AHISA: Malcolm Lamb

Dear Colleagues,

"Sacking the Principal"

This account of Freda Whitlam's long and often turbulent time as Principal of PLC Croydon is a very compelling read. As a fellow former Principal of that inner-west Sydney school for twenty-five years, former AHISA member Bill McKeith is extremely well-positioned to write this account and he had unique access to many sensitive primary sources both oral and written. The result is a disturbing picture of intrigue and guile all conducted within a rapidly-changing social and political framework.

Freda Whitlam had been a great Principal, though often "confusing" in the words of her contemporaries, who was increasingly caught between a range of perplexing political and social events. As an older Principal in the mid-1970s, she struggled to deal with rapidly-changing social and cultural norms of her students and staff, something shared by many of her contemporaries. Also shared, but by fewer contemporaries, was the messy and sometimes vicious schism in the Presbyterian Church where the very ownership of schools was in dispute. Freda, uniquely, was the beloved sister of Gough Whitlam and that relationship unfortunately also brought political difficulties to the school and that helped to contribute to her downfall a only few years after Gough met his nemesis.

This story is so skilfully told by Bill McKeith and it is very hard to put down (or in my case, take my eyes off the screen).  It is balanced and fair and while Freda's errors of judgement are acknowledged, her contribution to girls' education and the wider society after PLC complete a picture of a committed and renowned educator who was passionate about social justice issues and determined to do her bit to make Australia a fairer place for all.

Attached is a flyer which will give you details about this latest, and fine, contribution to the genre of books about Australian independent education.

 

Cheers,

 

Malcolm

 

Malcolm Lamb

Director, Member Services

Review in Inner West Courier



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