Teachers follow suit as Camberley School principal Tamla Smith resigns

Camberley School in Hastings has reportedly lost most of its teaching staff. Photo / Paul Taylor

The Ministry of Education has appointed a limited statutory manager to a Hastings primary school following the resignation of the principal.

Hawke's Bay Today understands the current Camberley School principal, Tamla Smith, resigned following ongoing rifts with members of the board.

Before taking up the job at the end of 2016, she was the deputy principal of Mahora School.

It is believed, when Smith announced her resignation, four of the six school's teachers resigned in support of her, with another retiring. It was unknown whether they have returned or have left permanently.

Tamla Smith when she was deputy principal at Mahora School. Photo/File

Ministry of Education deputy secretary Sector Enablement and Support Katrina Casey said they had "been talking to the board along with others about solutions to a range of issues including a number of resignations of staff at the school".

She said the Board of Trustees was still in place and the ministry had appointed Kevin Palmer as a limited statutory manager (LSM).

"The board has agreed that it needed some additional expertise to assist it. Kevin will be responsible for employment, curriculum management, finance, communication and policy and procedural issues. He will also help the board to consolidate any new and improved systems into its practice and will advise on governance best practice.

"By far the majority of schools operate successfully, but a small number develop difficulties or have unanticipated events that they cannot resolve without outside help.

"We always work with schools to support them to resolve problems themselves, and only intervene as a last resort.

"Where we do step in, an intervention aims to bring expertise and fresh perspective.

"It also acts as a circuit breaker for entrenched problems, so that the focus of the school can go back on teaching and learning."

Kevin Palmer, who is also the LSM for other schools around the country, visited the school this week.He said his primary role was to "support principal's and their boards".

With a roll of about 120 students, Mr Palmer said "the future of Camberley School is assured and important".

"I will be assisting the board and principal in the areas of employment, curriculum, finance and policy."

He did not not wish to comment on whether the teachers and or principal had resigned.

It is believed Ms Smith will not be returning next term.