PMSA's claim to be "moving to a thorough review of governance"

As posted on Facebook in further response to the PMSA "community letter"

The PMSA has stated they are “moving to a thorough review of governance across its schools - a process that we have worked on consistently over the years, and which we have been planning to open up to wider discussion even before the current controversies arose”.

Firstly, Beyond PMSA is perplexed this has taken “years”. If it is true and if the “wider” discussion will genuinely involve everyone rather than a “frozen” chosen few who are unable to actively and honestly provide input, then that is a start. However, we are not confident.

Secondly, the real problem with that statement is what it lacks. In the 21st Century, people expect a comprehensive review to have a process that does not have the railroad tracks laid down in front of it. A review that has a “predetermined” destination or an “engineered outcome” will never work because in that dynamic, there can be no mutual respect for the broader school communities. Something more is required to send a constructive message that all options for governance reform will be considered, broadly debated, genuinely considered, and actually implemented. Beyond PMSA also suggests if the PMSA wants to be believed, then its background manoeuvering and game playing must STOP and be replaced with a simple, direct, and combined engagement with all of the school communities in an open and transparent forum. If clear, honest and direct engagement had been provided from the start, this “crisis” that seems to be so upsetting for the PMSA could have been solved weeks, if not months, ago.

Thirdly, Beyond PMSA knows the Somerville House community groups are willing to engage with the PMSA’s respected mediator to discuss relevant issues. However, we know that despite his best efforts and genuine skills, the mediation is not going to solve the real problem. This is primarily due to the fact the forum is not appropriately structured to achieve any outcome. For transparency, we note that Beyond PMSA has never been invited to participate.

Finally, if the PMSA is “confounded” by the chosen path of its critics and can’t understand why people are angry and disengaged with it, perhaps the following offering will be helpful: Beyond PMSA’s message to the PMSA is very simple - this is not about you - it is about the students, staff, and stakeholders of our schools.

Stop putting out fires and defending your own battlements. We don’t need constant platitudes, explanations, or corrections from this point onwards - just “focus” and put your energies into solving the actual problem....and the rest may just go away.