Let's initiate change st. cats needs

    The Board of Governors
    St. Catherine’s British School
    Leoforos Sofokli Venizelou 77
    Likovrisi 141 23

    Cc. Mr. Stuart Smith

    25 September 2022

    Dear Board of Governors,
    It has come to our attention that 7 of the 11 Governors of St. Catherine’s British School resigned from their positions in the last three months, five simultaneously on the 20th September, and one only a few months into his tenure.
    Perhaps a coincidence, but the timing of these resignations - following the letter from parents of the 1st of June challenging the governing body and its lack of parental representation - is particularly suspect.
    You may be aware that the parent body has for several years questioned the transparency and motivations of the Board. We are very concerned that several clauses of the Articles of Association are being circumvented, both insofar as to the maximum tenure to be held by Governors (clause 7.1) as well as the non-representation of parent governors (clause 5.4).
    Several governors are well past the maximum eight year period stipulated in the Articles of Association, whilst the Chairman himself has now held this position for thirteen years. We note that the re-appointments and special resolutions pertaining to the extenuating circumstances that led to these non-conforming extensions do not seem to have been uploaded onto the Companies House website.
    We have also heard long-standing rumours that the Articles of Association will be changed to allow for Governors to remain indefinitely. Whilst we cannot ascertain whether the rumours are true or not, we would like to take this opportunity to publicly state that this cannot happen as it will clearly be against the interests and safeguarding of the School and its pupils.
    Adding fuel to the fire is that parents with current pupils in the School are excluded from the governing body though they were allowed in the past. Whilst no minimum number is specified in the Articles, the intention of including up to 7 parents is very clear (clause 5.4), yet again not followed.
    All the aforementioned, combined with the resignation of more than half of the Board in less than 3 months only serves to reinforce our unease that something is very wrong.
    We read the letter of the Chairman with great interest and ask ourselves:
    What events led to the “sudden personal clashes between Governors, unacceptable politicking and an overall state of dysfunction”, especially given this group of governors has worked together for years? Indeed, any such rifts signify that the leader is no longer the right leader.
    It is completely normal for board members to not always agree on matters, hence the existence of a voting system. The fact that any clashes could not be dealt with professionally points towards inadequate processes and poor corporate governance.
    Why have the suggested “improvements in communication and promoting open and transparent governance” not happened in the last 13 years of the Chairman’s tenure? Why would we believe that anything will change going forward?
    You refer to the need of appointing governors within the British education system, yet all five who resigned on Tuesday fit that exact profile, not only holding British passports but also having grown up and attended schools in the UK. Indeed, two of them have also previously been Headmasters in the UK.
    As far as we know, it is a violation of the democratic rights of governors that they are immediately removed.
    Lastly, but equally importantly, we were extremely shocked to hear of the inappropriate and disrespectful behaviour that was displayed in the meeting of the 17th June towards some of the leadership team. In the same way that the School does not tolerate aggressive behaviour amongst pupils, we will not tolerate it from our Governing body towards the School leaders and staff.
    In the absence of a separate independent body of Trustees, it would be remiss of us, as stakeholders, to sit back and watch such events unfold without taking any action. It affects the Staff, it affects us and it affects our kids. We love the School and we want our children to be educated in an environment of transparency and integrity.
    To that extent, we kindly ask for the immediate resignation of Mr. Stavros Taki and in due course (in order to ensure a smooth transition period) the resignation of all governors who are past their originally stipulated tenures.
    This is a crucial inflection point in St. Catherine’s history, and given the upcoming inspection, it is imperative that the necessary changes are made now so that a clean, brand new Board is in place to take on the inspection.
    We trust that the Board will act professionally, quickly and with integrity on the matter. As we are sure you are well aware, it is not only the reputation of the School that is at stake here, but also that of yourselves, the remaining Governors.
    In the unlikely case that the Board does not act with integrity, we will unfortunately be forced to take more drastic action. We will be reporting the latest developments (plus all the scandals dating back to 2010) to the Charity Commission and will cease paying our school fees, until such time as the above changes are made.
    Yours Sincerely,
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