Mark Latham writes again, pontificating on tests for Labour Party 'failed schools'. In an article in The Australian Financial Review of 16 April 2009, p.62, he peddled the outmoded  'voucher' system. But he also said the following:

The Rudd government has talked about closing failed schools but has no mechanism for doing so. This is typical of its style: using populist rhetoric to control the daily media agenda, but failing to follow through with detailed plans. Seven months ago, the government announced its intentions to get tough with underperforming schools. Subsequently, the Knox Grammar School in Sydney and St. Stanislaus College in central NSW have been engulfed by paedophilia scandals. Both schools remain open, however, supported by substantial amounts of federal funding. There can be no greater betrayal of a school's duty of care than the sexual molestation of students. It is the sickest and most damaging form of educational failure. Surely Gillard does not believe that Knox and St. Stanislaus should be exempted from the government's school closure policy. More likely, the policy itself is a sham.

DOGS are not so certain that the schools closure policy will prove a sham if Gillard's consultant's are  pushing the 'corporatisation' and 'charter schools' band wagon already tried and found wanting in the UK and USA.

However, under Latham's test Gillard would have to further consider another scandal from the Presbyterian sector. DOGS research reveals the following:

Three reports in the Sydney Morning Herald website dated 19 April 2009 have the following headings:

• Brave Girls Pay High Price for exposing Evil

• Future Ruined for Speaking Out

• Victim was Bait for Arrest Plan

This latest scandal occurred at a Presbyterian school at Clarenza near Grafton, called St. Andrews Christian School. In March 2009, the Principal, Frank Bailey,  pleaded guilty to sex charges.   Bailey pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual intercourse with a person in his care. He is now awaiting sentence.

Along the way, a number of people have suffered because they attempted to report his activities.

In 2006, Hazel Bell, a science teacher at the Clarenza school complained about his playground cuddles with female students, inappropriate behaviour at after-school youth groups, and student pool parties at his home. She said that within two weeks of making the complaint, she was made redundant after Mr Bailey was made aware of her concerns.

Two students also suffered grievously when they attempted to blow the whistle on Mr. Bailey. Two girls, Ms Johnson and Ms Gavan, then 17 and in Year 12, were expelled for voicing concern to other students and the deputy principal about Bailey's behaviour towards a teenager. The expulsion stamp on their records prevented them from getting into other private schools and from completing their HSC at local State Schools which required 12 units as opposed to St. Andrews' 8 units.

One of the parents of the girls, Mr Peter Johnson a builder from Iluka, said that after his daughter was expelled he complained to the Department of Education but was told that because it was a private school it was out of their jurisdiction. He further stated that the treatment of his daughter and her friend had shaken his Christian principles.

'They punished the whistleblowers for doing the right thing and a crime that could have been prevented, was committed,' he said.

Meanwhile Bailey, after leaving St. Andrews with a glowing reference, went on to become principal of another Christian school, namely Cooloola Christian College, . The only reason he was caught out was through the courage of his victim. She agreed to become involved in a police 'phone sting' operated by the Child Protection Police.

These cases prove the point made by Mark Latham. Ms Guillard might be willing to 'fail' schools in the public sector if they are earmarked by private enterprises wanting to profiteer at the expense of parents and children.  But Gillard and Rudd have no intention of upsetting the religious school applecart.

Yet the message of these scandals is crystal clear. The public system should be empowered to supervise and finally take over 'failed' religious schools.Only in this way will our politicians become responsible, accountable and transparent for the education of our children at taxpayers' expense.

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