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Former Shore headmaster takes legal action against school
By Lucy Carroll
The former headmaster of Shore School, Tim Petterson, is taking legal action against the all-boys private school, alleging a breach of employment contract after he was dismissed from his role two years ago.
Petterson left his position as Shore’s headmaster in July 2022 after the school’s governing council said a review of culture had found new leadership was needed.
Shore School has had nine headmasters in its 135-year history. Tim Petterson, who served as its eighth headmaster, was dismissed in 2022.Credit: Flavio Brancaleone
He was replaced at the North Sydney institution by former St Andrew’s Cathedral School head John Collier.
Petterson’s statement of claim was filed with the NSW Supreme Court in early May. It alleges a breach of employment contract and makes claims about the school’s corporate governance.
When appointed in 2020, Petterson became the eighth head of the prestigious Anglican school in its more than 130-year history. He took the role after seven years as principal of St Philip’s Christian School in Port Stephens and began his career as a teacher at The King’s School.
His dismissal came after Shore’s governing council, then headed by chair Bay Warburton, hired consultant Rhonda Brighton-Hall to review the school’s leadership.
Former headmaster Tim Petterson is taking legal action against Shore School.
The decision came after concerns were raised by teachers, old boys and parents about Petterson’s educational leadership and management of change at the school.
At the time, the Herald reported that critics feared he had insufficient experience to transform Shore, and that during his leadership staff morale had declined.
The school faced a series of challenges during Petterson’s tenure, including moving to remote learning during the pandemic and the “Triwizard Shorenament” scandal, a year 12 muck-up day prank in which students earned points for trespassing, drug-taking and other tasks.
Shore, one of Sydney’s oldest schools, was founded by an act of parliament and has an annual revenue of $88 million.
The Brighton-Hall review, presented to Warburton at the end of first term in 2022, involved confidential interviews, submissions and an anonymous survey.
“I can assure you that this decision has only been made following deep deliberation and thorough assessment of the school’s situation,” Warburton wrote in a letter to parents in July 2022.
“This decision is not based on any suggestion of improper conduct on [Petterson’s] part. However, Council has concluded that in the interests of unity within the School, leadership renewal is required.”
A source familiar with the matter said the review was not shared with Petterson, nor were its contents or recommendations.
The Shore school grounds.Credit: Flavio Brancaleone
Concerns were also raised that almost 90 staff members had left the school during 2020 and 2021. A statement from the school at the time said the turnover was consistent for Shore and other schools.
Warburton, a one-time chief of staff to former premier Mike Baird, served on the school’s council for six years until October 2023. He was one of five old boy representatives on the council at the time.
Accountant and former PwC director Jennifer Lambert was interim chair until February when Shore announced business consultant Robert Clarke would head the council.
The proceedings have been filed in the NSW Supreme Court and the school is yet to file a defence. Kristen Lopes, a partner at Colin Biggers & Paisley, is acting for the school.
‘This action is without merit and we will defend it accordingly. The decision to change leadership in 2022 followed deep deliberation.’
A spokesperson for Shore School
A Shore spokesperson said the school was “saddened” by Petterson’s decision to commence legal action.
“We believe this action is without merit and we will defend it accordingly. The decision to change leadership in 2022 followed deep deliberation and a thorough process that included an independent review of the culture and leadership of the school,” the spokesperson said.
“The school has since excelled under the guidance of headmaster Dr John Collier and the executive leadership team. Given that this is the subject of legal proceedings, the school will not be making any further comment.”
In a letter to parents on Thursday, the council chair, Clarke, said the board thanked Petterson publicly “for the loyalty and commitment” he gave [the school] when he left in 2022. “This included guiding the school through the pandemic and introducing important and positive changes. These sentiments stand,” the letter said.
Shore, also known as Sydney Church of England Grammar School, lifted fees 11 per cent to $44,510 this year and is the alma mater of media mogul Frank Packer and former prime minister John Gorton. Collier’s contract runs to the end of 2025.
Petterson has been contacted for comment.
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