The Manly High School Review of April 2000 is a seriously deficient document. The combination of flawed methodology, faulty and prejudicial assumptions, the selective use of available data and a politically motivated review have led to a set of recommendations that are highly questionable.

The Federation seeks the withdrawal of the current advertisement for the filling of the position of Principal Manly High School and its replacement with a process consistent with current staffing procedures. The Federation is prepared to attend further meetings with the Minister’s office and DET to resolve this matter.

The Federation has lodged a dispute notification in the Industrial Relations Commission on the matter of the advertising of and conditions attached to the position of principal of Manly High School.

The Federation rejects performance contracts for principals or any other member of the teaching service, as well as external applicants and temporary appointments to permanent positions. The recently endorsed salaries agreement provides strong public accountability in the form of: new teacher efficiency procedures, "strengthened" annual reviews of teacher performance, processes for school and program reviews in addition to annual school reports and associated school self-evaluation and improvement programs. Secret performance contracts for principals will weaken the collegiality so essential for the effective operation of a school.

The fact that the Department finds it necessary to offer ‘An attractive remuneration package that is above the present salary level of a PH1’ suggest that the Department is of the view that the recent salaries agreement does not provide salaries and conditions which will attract and hold suitable applicants.

The Federation notes that the Federal Opposition leader Kim Beazley has rejected AWAs as part of ALP industrial relations policy. The Carr Labor Government should reject individual employment contracts for principals.

The Federation will urgently provide information to principals and other members on developments in this matter and on the Federation’s opposition to performance contracts for principals. Regional meetings of principals will be convened to demonstrate the opposition of Federation members in principal positions to performance contracts.