Parents have spoken of their shock after it emerged a popular headteacher at a Catholic primary school in Sheffield is quitting his job because he plans to remarry.
Michael Cassidy has written to parents at St Patrick’s Primary on the last day of term informing them of his decision.
He told them: “This is a decision that has been taken for me as a result of the forthcoming change in my personal life which is that I am to remarry in the autumn.
“As a consequence my position as headteacher is no longer compatible with the conditions and services of my contract. Therefore I have no option but to leave.
“It goes without saying that leaving St Patrick’s will be very difficult for me as I have become very much part of this special community.”
Mr Cassidy, who has been head at St Patrick’s for the past four years, is believed to be a divorcee who is marrying his long-standing partner. He will be leaving the school at the end of the autumn term.
John Cape, director of schools for the Hallam Diocese, said he was aware of Mr Cassidy’s resignation with effect from December 31.
He added: “It is a matter of personal choice made by a man of great integrity. As director of schools I will continue to offer pastoral and professional support to him in the decision he has taken.”
It is believed parents are drawing up a petition in protest about Mr Cassidy’s departure and are planning a campaign on social networking website Facebook.
One mother, Claire Bolsover, told the Sheffield Star: “Mr Cassidy is a fantastic head and both children and parents are really upset. Any school occasion and he’s there, and he knows every child’s name. There are a lot of upset and angry parents.”[reference]
I guess this headmaster is doing the right thing after planning to to do the wrong thing. At least he is resigning knowing he would provide scandal by remaining, too bad some of these parents don’t seem to understand that. I guess not wanting a headmaster of a Catholic school to be an adulterer is passe.
Plus why is it that in every story about some teacher who gets into trouble always a “popular” teacher? Never seen a story where a “unpopular” teacher got into trouble.
8 comments
I’m confused….the story says long-standing partner….that’s usually the word for partner of the same sex. Is he marrying another man or a woman? Either way, his decision is right about resigning.
Keith:
It’s becoming more and more common, especially in UK papers that I’ve read, to refer to a husband/wife as “partner” outside the context of a same-sex relationship. Something about not setting marriage apart, or keeping it gender-neutral.
Not a fan of it, either. My husband is my HUSBAND, and I am his WIFE. Simple as that.
When my newly wed daughter (28) referred to her husband as her ‘ my partner’ I asked why and was told that to say ‘ my husband’ makes me feel old!
Yep, it’s about not setting marriage apart. My husband is my partner, that guy Sally is shacked up with is her partner, and John’s steady boyfriend is his partner. All the same. No difference in any of these relationships. And if you act as if there is, you are a bigot.
This usage of “partner” has gotten so common that by last winter I noticed I could no longer tell when someone mentions “the business I run with my partner” what exactly they mean.
Next on the agenda is figuring out a way to work the “Parent One” and “Parent Two” concept into everyday speech.
I can see it now at wedding ceremonies: “I now pronounce you partner and partner”. More politically correct nonsense. I agree with Amy. My wife is and always will be my wife and I am and always will be her husband.
Fool me once. Shame on you.
Fool me twice. Shame on me.
I was at a court hearing once with another male attorney from my office. Just so happened my sister (also an attorney) was in court that same day, and my case involved a colleague of hers.
She brought her colleague over and introduced me to him, and introduced the associate as “my parnter” (my sister thinking of course “law partner”). My sister’s friend for some reason thought he was my “life partner”. Well, we all had a nice chuckle, but it is getting so the term “parnter” is assumed to mean some form of personal/social relationship akin to marriage or dating.
The Lone Ranger has a partner.
I have a wife.