SMC rescue..

Please browse our other blog site smc-rescue.blogspot.com.au for more posts.

Call for investigation...

After exhausting all avenues, it is with great regret, that we call upon all relevant authorities (including The BOS NSW, State and Federal granting agencies, ATO and ICAC) to investigate SMC for alleged inappropriateness and misconduct in regards to the following issues:

1. Spending of Commonwealth and State grants, building funds and subsidies including fees and donations.
2. The alleged siphoning of Government Funds to the Diocese.
3. The absence of an appropriate constitution for the school despite 12 years since its establishment.
4. The appropriateness of the school size to the number of students, specially play areas, which is compromising the children safety.
5. The staff hiring policy and process (entire families are employed in the school)!
6. The fairness and transparency of the process of hiring new HOC 2009, including but not limited to:
   a. Inviting a certain candidate to apply after closing date.
   b. Accepting applications after closing date.
   c. The composition of the selection panel.
   d. The role of the AIS in the process.
   e. The role of the church hierarchy in the process.
7. Alleged collaboration between different levels of executives to allegedly cover up issues of safety nature.
8. Repeatedly providing false information in “Annual School Reports” in relation to “Policies for Emergencies and Critical Events”.
9. The declining of satisfaction level of parents, students and teachers, which has reached its lowest ever.
10. The alarming rise in unethical Private Tutoring by the teaching staff to their class students.
11. The systematic interference of the church hierarchy in the running of the school.
12. Blackmailing parents in order not to speak up.

Witnesses and documents will be produced when requested by the authorities through direct communication with the parents’ body.

Do we enjoy this action?! Not in the slightest.

Do we like to destroy the school?! Certainly not, after all our kids are there.

Have we thought about this long and hard?! You bet we have.

We have been forced to take this action as a last resort because we love our school and we are saddened to see it dieing a slow and painful death.

Action or no Action!!!

Action may not always bring happiness,
but there is no happiness without action. -Benjamin Disraeli

،المبادرة ليست بالضرورة دومآ أن تجلب سـعادة

...ولكن لاسـعادة بلا مبادرة

بنيامين ديسرايلى

Recycled old baggage!!!

Last Wednesday 25th February 2009 was another sad page in the history of SMC. Last year's P&F executives (President and Vice President) were re-elected during the P&F AGM in what can be described as an ugly conspiracy, once again!!

Will we ever learn from our previous lessons??!!

Here it is, this is how it all unfolded:-

1. The P&F executives changed the election system to be "Pre-election Nomination" without consent of the parents body. Last year, the same individuals requested voting on very simple changes such as "changing the meeting day". Oh well, this time it is their suggestion and to their benefit so it's different. Hypocrisy at its best..

2. "The Nomination Form" signed by "P&F President 2008" was distributed on Thursday 19th February 2009 to be returned by Friday 20th February 2009!! Have you ever seen nomination system opened for ONLY 18 hours??!!

3. The meeting agenda was structured in the same manner as the agenda for the P&F meeting on Thursday 3rd July 2008 (the 1st P&F meeting after the alleged sexual assault case). The very last item on the agenda was, you guessed it, "Annual General Meeting" (2009 elections). It was designed to make many people sick, tired, frustrated and most likely leave the meeting before the election. Their supporters, who were on a mission, would of course stay until mission accomplished!!

4. "The P&F President 2008" denies receiving not even one single Nomination Form! It is guaranteed of at least a dozen forms were returned. Of course we will never know who was the nominees on those returned forms!!

"You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; The LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man." Psa 5 : 6

تُهْلِكُ الْمُتَكَلِّمِينَ بِالْكَذِبِ. رَجُلُ الدِّمَاءِ وَالْغِشِّ يَكْرَهُهُ الرَّبُّ." مز٥ : ٦"

5. Some of the voters had no children in the College! It's ok for them to attend as friends of the College but they should not have voting right as they are not financial members (fee-paying parents), just like any other association. But hey, we are not like the others!

"... How long will you love worthlessness and seek falsehood?". Psa 4 : 2

حَتَّى مَتَى تُحِبُّونَ الْبَاطِلَ وَتَبْتَغُونَ الْكَذِبَ؟" مز٤: ٢"

6. There were reports that some of their friends "on a mission" left straight after the voting, which was a while before the closure of the meeting. Oh yes, mission accomplished!!

It has to be said that Fr Antonios Kaldas (the current Director) has pure angelic heart unable to see such conspiracy. May the Lord support and help him.

NB. For the record, the entire 2008 executive team made it clear last year on many occasions that they will not nominate themselves again because we do not deserve their service!! What has changed to alter their opinion?! Is the position very tempting, a cheeky one might ask??!!

However, "the P&F Secretary 2008" has decided to jump overboard and move back to St Mary Coptic College!! For its management and its P&F, please watch out as he could be on a mission there too?!!

HH is the Bishop for Education

“On September 30, 1962, Pope Kyrillos VI ordained Fr. Antonios as Bishop Shenouda, the first Bishop for Christian Education. He became the President and Dean of the Theological Seminary, and by late 1969 the enrollment of full-time students doubled and the enrollment of part-time students increased 10 times its original number. Under his presidency, women were admitted to the College and several were appointed lecturers. His Grace's efforts were recognized in 1969 when he was elected President of the Association of Middle East Theological Colleges.” http://st-takla.org/Pope-1.html#3

Christian Education is a broad term which covers all aspects of Coptic Education not only Theological Education. Therefore, it seams logical that all types of Coptic schools be headed and guided by HH direct. Of course, HH may appoint capable representatives to oversee operations and report directly to him.

May our Lord preserve him on his seat for many peaceful years, Amen.