High school principal slammed for suggesting students need ‘better breeding’ to improve their grades

A former high school principal has been slammed for suggesting ‘better breeding’ is required in order to improve students’ grades at a NSW public school. 

The acting principal at Lithgow High School had been in a meeting with the director of educational leadership in September 2020 when they made the accusation. 

They were asked by the director: ‘What will it take to move students from Band 4 to Band 5 in each HSC course?’ to which they replied ‘better breeding’. 

Their contentious response, which was recorded in the minutes of the meeting, has been unearthed by One Nation MP Mark Latham, the Daily Telegraph reports. 

One Nation MP Mark Latham (pictured) condemned the ‘slur’ as ‘nasty, elitist and condescending’ to the people of Lithgow as well as the students enrolled at the school

Mr Latham condemned the ‘slur’ as ‘nasty, elitist and condescending’ to the people of Lithgow as well as the students enrolled at the school.

The MP stumbled upon the comment when reviewing documents about a School Excellence Policy, following a parliamentary call for papers.

Mr Latham said the ‘nasty’ slur was the last thing the Lithgow community needed as it entered an economic transition following a loss of jobs in the mining sector. 

‘Is this really how schools in Lithgow are being run? With elitist, condescending, nasty reflections on the breeding of this working class community? he said.

‘These are leaders who are supposed to have effective ways of improving school results – yet instead they are sneering at the school community by saying there’s something wrong with their breeding.’

 Lithgow High School (pictured) is located in the NSW Central Tablelands, about a three hour drive west from Sydney, and has close to 900 students enrolled

The Department of Education has responded to concerns by launching a formal investigation into the comments. 

Underneath the initial response of ‘better breeding’ the relieving principal goes on to suggest grades could be improved by choosing the correct maths course. 

‘We have the small numbers to allow students to push themselves to achieve mathematically in a higher course,’ they wrote. 

‘This means we achieve bands 3 and 4 in Advanced courses rather than bands 5 in the Standard course. This gives our students more scope to access university courses.’

NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said she was ‘shocked’ that such a statement had come from a staff member. 

NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell (pictured) said she was ‘shocked’ that such a statement had come from a staff member

While it is unclear who made the ‘elitist’ remark the department of education has stated it came from a former relieving principal at the school. 

‘The Department unreservedly apologises for the comment, which was inappropriate and doesn’t reflect the standards we expect of our principals,’ a spokesperson said. 

‘The comment was made by the then relieving principal, who is no longer in the role or teaching at any school.

‘The matter was immediately addressed by the local director. It has been referred to the department’s Professional and Ethical Standards Unit.’

Lithgow High School is located in the NSW Central Tablelands, about a three hour drive west from Sydney, and has close to 900 students enrolled.