Perth Montessori School

I worked at Perth Montessori for almost 22 years. My association with the school represented the largest part of my professional career. I... I worked at Perth Montessori for almost 22 years. My association with the school represented the largest part of my professional career. I loved my job and enjoyed being part of the Montessori Community. Recently I was bullied out of the school in a most targeted and very underhanded campaign. I was invited to a "chat" in the Principals office, and I could not have been more shocked to discover a few days later she claimed I had been shouting and hostile during our meeting. Not true. These claims were sent by email from the (then) Chair of Board, acting on behalf of the Principal who apparently was unavailable at that time. There was no invite for my perspective, or any chance to refute the claims or defend myself. The following 5 weeks my life was made miserable as I was manoeuvred and positioned to a point where the Principal could “legitimately” find cause to force me to leave. And she did, at the earliest opportunity, for failing to sign in ONE single time. I received an email stating my services were terminated, effective immediately, and she would notify parents I was no longer at the school. Her notice went out the next day. The following day I sent my own notice to the community, explaining the full story, no longer bound to the "strict confidentiality" imposed upon me for the previous miserable 5 weeks. The Principal then sent a further "important message" stating, "While I cannot disclose specific details, I want to speak as plainly as possible." Then spoke of my “multiple and ongoing” (untrue) disregard for the school’s standards of professionalism, and compliance with child safety procedures. She mentions the safety and well-being of students several more times. The implication that student safety was compromised due to my failure to sign in ONE single time is truly offensive. I believe the Principal deliberately referred to this issue with malicious intention, implying there may have been a more complicated and sinister reason for my termination. Truly despicable. A substantial percentage of the parent community campaigned and petitioned directly to the Principal and Board for me to remain, some having known me for a decade or more, aware of the good work and positive contribution I have given to the school for so many years. Their efforts were dismissed and my very long and solid association with the school was over. The Board had not anticipated such an overwhelming campaign on my behalf, and the Chair of the Board very quickly resigned her position, realising her involvement in the grubby and underhanded episode was inappropriate and highly unethical. The official complaint process on the school website clearly states that a complaint against a Principal is to be addressed to the Chair of Board. This was not available to me, being that the Chair had acted on the Principal's behalf. I emailed the remaining members of the board, hoping perhaps some inquiry to the Principal may occur, requiring some explanation and calling to account for her decisions, and for the possible chance I may have the opportunity for a fair and objective hearing. Not one member of the board responded, remaining silent throughout. The complaint procedure requirement for Non-Government School Registration was totally ignored, every decision for the school dictated by one singular person. I would avoid this school in its present toxic climate of a totalitarian regime, whereas at any time in the past I would have recommended it without hesitation as a fabulous choice for the education of any young student. The current Principal is a bully and a liar, with her ethics in direct opposition to every good Montessori ethos and its principles. I stand by my statements, and my story as truthful, and at any time fully prepared to have my claims and evidence examined and weighed against any of the current Principal. Read more

Todd Bebbington

Oct, 2024