Headmaster claims he was called 'terrible speaker' by former teacher
The headmaster of Christchurch Boys' High School has claimed that he was bullied by a former teacher who was accusing the institution of unfairly dismissing her, according to reports.
Nic Hill, headmaster of Christchurch Boys' High School, told the Employment Relations Authority that he felt undermined by former teacher Susan Mowat.
Hill, during questioning, said that he was bullied, stressing its impact on his family.
"The reality was I was bullied," he told the ERA as quoted by Radio New Zealand. "I remember being called a terrible speaker by Susan. I broke down and cried that night. I felt constantly under attack and vulnerable. It was an awful time."
The headmaster's claims were contrary to the allegations made by Mowat, who was accusing her former employer of unfair dismissal in 2019, RNZ reported.
Mowat is claiming that her departure from the school was because Hill targeted her, and that the school board meeting minutes from 2019 had been fraudulently tampered with.
According to the former teacher, she was criticised for her handling of student safety and appropriateness of her speaking at an education conference.
She further claimed she was also criticised for the communication issues when TVNZ filmed on school grounds.
Mowat added that she was also accused of sending anonymous letters to the school's board attacking Hill, which she denied doing.
The hearing on the case is expected to finish on Friday, according to RNZ.
