Introducing the Beyond PMSA president

Dear supporters,

I would like to introduce myself to you. I am a very proud BBC Old Boy and BBC parent from next year, and I have been given the privilege to serve as the President of Beyond PMSA.

I love my school. I desperately want it to be the very best school it can be. I have watched with dismay as events unfolded recently at Somerville. I was aware that this was the only the latest iteration of the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association's (PMSA) problematic governance of its schools, so I decided to become involved with Beyond PMSA.

As many of you may know, I was involved with the organisation of Beyond PMSA's Town Hall meeting, where we all heard highly respected former School Council members, former PMSA members, parents, and other supporters of our schools describe the long history of problems with the PMSA's lack of transparency and accountability.

I believe our schools will be so much better once Beyond PMSA meets its objectives. I am prepared to take a lead role in ensuring we do meet these objectives, despite the obstacles that will be thrown in our path.

I urge our followers to educate themselves and others as to how the PMSA operates and to have the intestinal fortitude to stand up for what is right. I think you will find the more you learn, the more you want answers. At the same time, I also urge our followers to be respectful and not to resort to personal attacks in their quest for answers.

We need to be cognisant of the scale of this battle. We are working towards a quick resolution, but much depends on the PMSA's willingness to engage with its stakeholders and to listen to our concerns. History suggests this may not be easily forthcoming. To that end, we are extremely grateful for the financial donations already received and would appreciate any further assistance you feel able to give. As outlined previously, these monies will be used to fund legal and advertising expenses, among other things.

Finally, I am delighted to announce that Ian MacDonald, former St Laurence's College Principal and former independent member of the Somerville House School Council, is now Beyond PMSA's official spokesperson. We are grateful for his ongoing support.

Yours faithfully, Chris Humphrey