- metadata: - source: https://www.newseu.pt/australia/damaging-instability-cranbrook-parents-back-headmaster/ - people: [[]] --- # ‘Damaging instability’: Cranbrook parents back headmaster - neweu > ## Excerpt > Loading --- Loading Sampson lodged a formal complaint about North’s conduct earlier this year, and it is likely that the outcome of the rift will have ramifications for the school’s future. In a letter sent to parents and alumni on the weekend, four members of the school community – former student and donor Will Vicars, chair of real estate trust Dexus Warwick Negus, McKinsey managing partner Angus Dawson and Macquarie Bank director Nicola Wakefield Evans – were critical of Cranbrook’s council for failing to support Sampson. It came after a letter was sent to parents and alumni last week by 10 of Cranbrook’s 11 council members, including North. The councillors who signed said the school would be better served by going co-ed via a “well-planned and considered route” and some expressed concerns with a rush to admit girls from next year. The council’s letter scolded four “disaffected individuals” claiming they had damaged the school’s reputation and intimidated the council with legal threats. The council said it was supportive of Sampson performing his contract, which expires at the end of 2024. The letter stated the objective of the four “disaffected individuals” was to force the resignation of several council members in order to “reshape the council to take Cranbrook to the next stage of its evolution”. That letter did not identify the individuals, but they are Vicars, Negus, Dawson and Wakefield Evans. Tynan said while he had “never been much involved in school politics”, as a father of three Cranbrook boys he was concerned about the school’s reputation, and also said parents should have a better understanding of how the school is governed and greater representation on council. Another parent, who spoke on the condition of anonymity so they could speak freely, said they were concerned “good teachers would leave if instability continued”. “Parents are concerned good governance has fallen away, and the school needs to put the best interest of students first,” they said. “There are parents that believe fundamentally the council are not behind coeducation. They thought they could kick it away. Cranbrook is a really progressive school and the headmaster has made it more inclusive.” The letter from council members said the school was conducting an independent governance review to deal with concerns from the school community.