Legacy & Honour

As we enter our third year, we at Beyond PMSA has reflected on legacy and honour. Each of the schools run by the PMSA refer to honour, history and legacy. On BBC’s website they ask prospective families, “Why BBC?”. Their answer starts with the headline “Honouring our History” and talks to the founding of BBC in 1902. The school motto is Sit Sine Labe Decus or “Let Honour Stainless Be”. Running in alphabetical order Clayfield College, also founded in 1902, has Luceat Lux Vestra or “Let Your Light Shine”. Next, we have Somerville House, founded in 1899, the school’s motto is “Honour before Honours” and notably the PMSA Commissioned book detailing the history of the school’s first 100 years is titled “A Legacy of Honour”. The list is rounded out by Sunshine Coast Grammar School which was established in 1997 and later purchased by the PMSA and has the motto “Strength of Purpose” and the goal of constantly striving for excellence.

The word “honour” and upholding the legacy of the traditions of the schools seems to be a common theme. Beyond PMSA wonders whether the remaining 2017 PMSA Board members understand what these words truly mean. We note Mr Greg Adsett is about to finish as he has reached the maximum nine-year tenure permitted under the PMSA Constitution. When Mr Adsett finishes before the end of March 2020 there will still be Mr Jim Demack who was appointed in 2013 and according to the PMSA website his current term is until 2021. Mr Demack astoundingly is also still the Chairman of the Somerville House School Council, a position he has held since 2017. Ms Helen Murray was appointed to the PMSA Board in 2014 and according to the PMSA website her current term is until 2020 although there are no details of what month her term ceases. We note Ms Murray is now the Deputy Chair of the Clayfield College School Council so we are unsure if the intention is to extend Ms Murray at the Annual General Meeting of the PMSA or self-awareness and doing what is appropriate will prevail. Lastly there currently remains Mr Greg Skelton who was appointed in 2015 and also has a current term of 2020 on the PMSA website. As with Ms Murray we are curious as to what month the tenure expires, and we are unclear whether Mr Skelton will have his tenure extended at this year’s AGM which is usually held in June.

We still strongly feel all PMSA Board members who were involved in the events of 2017 should have stepped down or been removed from their roles some two year ago. Under their oversight and decision making their collective actions have since resulted in an apology to Mrs Flo Kearney, former Principal of Somerville House, and the arrest of former Business Manager Mr Rick Hiley on the charge of fraud. Beyond PMSA is sure our readers know full well individuals do not get charged without significant evidence. Beyond feels that even though the 2017 PMSA Board members should have resigned long ago, the apology to Mrs Kearney and the arrest of Mr Hiley should have been further lighting bolts that resulted in either their resignation or termination from their position.

Given it seems the PMSA, nor the Presbyterian or Uniting Churches seem willing to act in good faith we want to provide some education to Mr Demack, Ms Murray and Mr Skelton. Not that we are suggesting the Board Members of an organisation that runs four schools do not have access to a dictionary, but we just feel the need to make sure they understand so perhaps they finally “get” what Beyond’s 4,500 supporters continue to demand.

Honour

As defined in the Cambridge Dictionary, honour (noun) is “a quality that combines respect, being proud, and honesty” and honour (verb) is “to show great respect for someone or something, especially in public”.

Respect

The definition of honour mentions respect so let’s explore the Cambridge Dictionary’s definition which is (noun) “a feeling that something is right or important and you should not attempt to change it or harm it”. The description for respect (verb) is “to accept the importance of someone’s rights or customers and to do nothing that would harm them or cause offence”.

Honesty

Honesty (noun) is described as “the quality of being honest” and as being equal to “truthfully and hiding nothing”.

Legacy

Cambridge defines legacy (noun) as “something that is a part of your history or that remains from an earlier time” and provides examples such as “the policies of the last ten years are responsible for the legacy of huge consumer debt” or “the success of the Olympic Games left a lasting legacy of benefit to the city”.

Before we finish our review of the dictionary, we wanted to look up one more word……

Ego

Defined by the Cambridge dictionary as “your idea or opinion of yourself, especially your feeling of your own importance and ability” with an example being “that man has such an enormous ego – I’ve never known anyone so full of themselves!”. Interestingly they also advise a psychology definition of ego in psychoanalysis which is “the part of a person’s mind that tries to match the hidden desires (=wishes) of the id (=part of the unconscious mind) with the demands of the real world”.

We are not psychologists but found that fascinating. What we do know is so many of you have asked us why on earth are ANY of the 2017 PMSA Board still in their roles. The types of questions you ask are predominately about skills, capability, ethics, values and the governance processes that are enabling them to stay in place. You also constantly question the inaction of both churches. The other most common question you ask us is why any individual would stay without self-selecting themselves out for a few reasons:

1. Doing the right thing;

2. Putting the schools ahead of themselves; and

3. Personally, not wanting the hassle.

The only answer we have come up with so far is ego.

If the above education hasn’t been quite enough for Mr Demack, Ms Murray and Mr Skelton to finally do the right thing and resign immediately, perhaps the following bible verses about honour may help.

Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves.

Romans 13:7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour.

John 5:31 If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not deemed true.

Romans 12:3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 16:5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.

Beyond PMSA stands strong on it’s call for all of those involved in the events of 2017 to walk away completely from the PMSA and any of the PMSA schools. The school’s anchor themselves in honour, respect and legacy. We have covered honour and respect at length in this article and whilst that, along with the words from the good book endorsed by the PMSA’s boss, we haven’t spoken to legacy.

Legacy is something that is within each individual’s control and as people enter their third act it becomes ever more present in their minds. So, with that in mind let us leave you with these quotes: