A representative of an old man on the board of The King’s School has given up plans to bring the director, his deputy and his first-class women to the world’s most prestigious rowing event, the Henley Royal Regatta, to coincide with the principals of the best British schools.
The school’s first VIII competes in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup for the third time since 2001, when it became one of only three Australian teams to win a race historically dominated by Eton College. alma mater of British princes and prime ministers.
The King’s School in North Parramatta. Credit: Wolter Peeters
Several sources told the Herald that the expenses were signed by the school’s president, Rosemary Abrahams, the former deputy principal of Abbotsleigh School. An estimate put the cost of flights and accommodation at $ 45,000, although the school did not confirm the figure.
However, some council members were concerned that the expenses would not have been approved by the entire council, sources said. The Herald has confirmed that a board member, a representative of the elders on the board, has resigned on the issue.
Other members of the school community were angry about the expense. “The staff was justifiably dismayed by this huge waste of money,” said a person close to the King’s community, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“The optics are terrible,” said another source close to the school. “What annoys most people is that it feels like the school can just stick their fingers in it and the tickets are paid for.”
A rowing crew on the River Thames on the opening day of the Henley Royal Regatta 2021. Credit: AP
Sources said the outrage led the director, Tony George, and his wife to lower their business-class tickets, and the deputy to pay for the trip out of his own pocket. The school did not answer questions on this topic.
In a statement, the school said King’s was one of seven members of the Australian Conference of Directors (HMC), a group of more than 350 independent schools, most in Britain (members include Eton, Winchester College and Harrow School).