The principal at St Peter’s College in Gore has been gagged from speaking to the media as her relationship with the school’s board members remains strained.

The Catholic co-ed school was in April placed into the limited statutory management of lawyer Nicola Hornsey after the board and principal sought Education Ministry support to govern the school.

Soon after, principal Tara Quinney said she had no confidence in the ability of the school’s board chairperson Ruth Mitchell to lead, and she wanted her to resign.

Quinney suggested four board members, including Mitchell, were perhaps there for “the circles they themselves socialise in”, rather than being there for the whole school. She believed the issues stemmed from most of the board members not being trained in board matters.

Hornsey’s first progress report on the school in July highlighted poor employment practices, an incohesive governance framework, a dysfunctional relationship between the school and the school board, and diminished student voice.

In the wake of the report, Quinney said Hornsey’s intervention had led to “notable strides forward” for the board. But she called on Mitchell to “acknowledge her responsibility for the lapse in appropriate governance practices that led us to this predicament”, and apologise to the school and school community.

The latest intervention progress report, released by Hornsey on August 24, said the relationship between Quinney and other board members remained strained.

Stuff questions sent to Hornsey, Quinney and Mitchell asked if they were confident the relationship between Quinney and the board members could be repaired, and how it would be repaired.

Quinney said she was unable to respond: “Really sorry but Nicola [Hornsey] has said I am no longer allowed to speak to the media on this matter.”

Hornsey’s response said: “Part of any principal’s role as the professional ‘CEO’ is to find a way to work with all new board members to establish a healthy working relationship [of which trust and confidence are key components], an agreed model of governance, and a form of reporting to the board that meets the board’s requirements.”

Board members were carrying out their duties responsibly and were dedicated to adding value to the education of the students at St Peter’s College, Hornsey said.

Her report said several letters of complaint had been received by the board and steps had been taken to address the concerns raised. Those complaints, she later said, had been about the perceived damage to the school’s reputation as a result of statements made to the media.

Hornsey’s report said the distinction between governance and management was understood at the school. But an effective communication system had yet to be implemented for management to provide the board with the necessary assurances it required to discharge its many obligations.

A high-level governance model required a high level of trust and confidence to be effective.

“Until this trust and confidence is achieved, board members will, understandably, continue to ask questions about the day-to-day management of the school.”

Hornsey’s report said all board members continued to participate in ongoing training, and the board was improving its communications to the school community.