The headmaster of Trinity Grammar has vowed to fight on despite a cloud of uncertainty hanging over his job.
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As the most chaotic chapter in the school’s history inched towards a conclusion, headmaster Michael Davies declared he wanted to continue working at the school to develop students into “fine young men of the future”.
“My resolve to lead this great school has not wavered in recent weeks, and I continue to be committed to serving this community,” Dr Davies said in a statement.
“I look forward to welcoming Rohan Brown back.”
On Wednesday evening, Trinity Grammar offered deputy headmaster Rohan Brown his job back after an independent review found the school council’s decision to dismiss him was unjustified.
Mr Brown, who was sacked in March after cutting a student’s hair, will return to the school on Monday, with students set to return the following day.
Some parents are considering hiring a jazz band to welcome the popular teacher as he walks through the school gates.
Meanwhile, many parents are still pushing for a change of leadership.
At a packed town hall-style meeting in March, more than 1000 parents, students and alumni voted to remove the school council and Dr Davies.
Steve Murphy, whose son is completing his VCE at the school, said the headmaster had an enormous task in front of him and needed to regain the confidence of the Trinity Grammar community.
“If he fails to bring people with him, and if he fails to engage with the broader Trinity community then questions would continue to be raised about his leadership,” he said.
Mr Murphy said the school needed to ensure it struck the right balance between striving for academic success and looking after students’ wellbeing.
An interim school council will be announced by the end of next month, and some parents are hoping the new directors will push for a change in leadership.
In a letter sent to parents on Wednesday evening, council chairman Robert Utter said the "regrettable" events that unfolded after Mr Brown’s sacking had attracted “unprecedented negative attention”.
The sacking thrust the Anglican school into an administrative crisis, with three school council members, including the chair, standing down.
Student protests broke out in the schoolyard, with children unfurling “Bring Back Brownie” banners, while their angry parents packed into town hall meetings and threatened to withhold their fees of up to $32,000 a year.
