The Mob from TAC

by Richard Pinkerton

  Doug Andrews arrived at his new school. It still seemed hard to believe that only a few weeks earlier he had started out as principle of Taukauri College, but had already been removed from the hallowed position. It was all because of one bad decision that the school board didn’t like. ONE bad decision and he still didn’t think it was bad. So he had expelled a boy. The boy deserved to be expelled. He’d been getting away with his shenanigans for way too long. Surely, it was what any self-respecting principal would do to set a standard?

  Now here he was in a new town, about to take on an emergency role as principal in another school. He figured he should at least be grateful that he was being given a second chance, but then again what choice did Education New Zealand have? They couldn’t’ very well strike him off the register because what he had done was not illegal. It was just that he had upset the people the wrong people and Education New Zealand had to find some way of appeasing all parties. So what better way than just to sweep everything under the carpet and give him a new principal’s job at a school miles away.

  ‘Glad they managed to get a replacement in so fast,’ said Mr Day, the deputy principle of his new school as they finished a tour of the grounds. ‘When our principal was taken ill I thought I might have to take on the role myself, so I’m glad I don’t have to. I’m happy being the deputy. I definitely don’t want to have the responsibility that comes with the big job.’

  Andrews nodded as they made their way down the hallway to his new office. ‘Well I have to admit, it’s not a task most people would envy. It comes with a lot of responsibility and if you make the wrong decision you can upset a lot of people.’

  ‘Speaking from experience?’

  ‘Indeed. It’s a very fickle and volatile world when you have to deal with students, parents and school boards.’

  ‘I’m sure it is.’

  They entered his new office and made themselves comfortable. ‘I must say, I’m impressed with the place. You’ve certainly added in a lot of new technology and recently too by the looks of it. Where are all the funds coming from?’

  ‘We have a very generous benefactor.’

  Bad memories flooded Mr Andrews’ mind as he thought of Rex Cassidy and the money his parents had been donating Taukauri College. In hindsight, he should have realised that expelling the boy and losing those funds would cause a big stink, but to him the principles of the matter far outweighed the financial gains. Had he been so completely wrong? Really?

  He sighed. ‘Ahh yes, generous benefactors. I have had bad experiences with them. But still, I guess that we need them sometimes, don’t we?’

  ‘Well, we couldn’t do without this one now that we’ve got them. They’ve been a God send. Have made things so much easier for us… at least when it comes to running the school. Just wish it could help with the behaviour of some of our students, especially…’ His words trailed off and he chuckled. ‘A double edged sword, that’s for sure.’

  ‘What?’ Andrews peered at him with a frown.

  The deputy chuckled again. ‘Never mind. I dare say that you will miss your old school, huh?’

  ‘Ha! I never got much of a chance to gain any attachment to it. I was only there for just over a month.’

  ‘Only a month?’

  ‘Well. I’ll be frank with you. I’m afraid that I got off to a bad start there. Now don’t get me wrong, I know my job, it’s just that I made one little decision that a lot of people didn’t like. Caused me no end of problems and in the end, it was decided that I would be better off moving to a different school. So here I am. Now I trust that what I have just divulged will remain between the two of us?’

  ‘Of course, but good lord. It must have been some decision.’

  ‘I expelled a boy.’

  ‘And people didn’t like it?’

  ‘First week of school.’

  ‘I see. Surely you had good reason?’

  ‘I did. He deserved to be expelled. He had broken every school rule in the book and seemed to be proud of it. I was glad to be rid of him.’

  ‘Why did people make such a big deal of his expulsion?’

  ‘Funny you should ask that. His parents were really big benefactors. The silly thing was, these same people had been continually complaining about this student and the so-called bribe that his parents were paying. They wanted something done, but when I finally did take action, they made a fuss. There’s no pleasing some people.’

  ‘I see. Unfortunately people are like that sometimes. Some people aren’t happy unless they’re complaining about something.’

  ‘Well I learnt my lesson that time, I can assure you of that. I won’t make the same mistake again.’

  ‘Who was this student anyway? Sounds like a kid we have here at this school.’

  ‘He was some piece of work. Big lad too. Tall and and very well built. His name was Rex Cassidy.’

  ‘Rex Cassidy?’ Mr Day stared at him as if he’d had just said the unthinkable.

  Andrews paused and examined him with intrigue. A bad feeling began to come across him. ‘That’s right. You act as though you know the boy.’

  ‘Err... Nah, can’t be the same boy. Too much of a coincidence.’

  ‘What are you saying, are you saying..?’

  ‘I just realised… I have some urgent work I need to do.’ Mr Day rose to his feet. ‘I have some reports to do and…’

  ‘Are you telling me that Rex Cassid…?’

  ‘I really must get to it.’

  ‘Wait, did you…?’

  ‘I’m sure you’ll like our school, Principal Andrews.’

  ‘But wait a minute…’

  ‘Welcome to Te Arawa College.’