School principal with porn on PC keeps job

A North Shore primary school principal who had pornography on his computer has been allowed to keep his job.

Tim Jenkinson, of Bayview School in Glenfield, was found to have adult pornography on his computer during a system upgrade, the Herald understands.

But the decision to let him keep his job is understood to have divided the board of trustees, some of whom believe he should have been stood down.

>> Should the principal have kept his job? Email the Herald Newsdesk

Board chairman Paul Apperley said a "minor issue" had arisen and the board had given Mr Jenkinson a written warning after advice from the School Trustees Association.

It would be inappropriate to discuss the nature of the material, but he was satisfied the board had acted appropriately.

Mr Jenkinson, who has been principal for about 12 years, said he was under instructions to refer all questions to the board of trustees. "All I can say is that the issue has been dealt with and there is nothing illegal involved."

Asked about the nature of the material, he said he could not comment.

"I can't respond to that. Much as I'd like to, I can't. There's a school community involved..., obviously, and so I have no choice but to stand behind that, I'm afraid."

Mr Jenkinson's wife, Vicki, rang the Herald back to say her husband had admitted to the pornography because of the evidence found in the tests of the computer, but he had no memory of it.

She said he had been under great stress and was getting help from medical experts, the church and counsellors.

"There are things in place to help my husband recall what has happened with the stress he is under. He is trying to do the honourable thing and remember stuff and get the help he needs.

"The thought that he has let people down is hard for him. He's a good man and is well known throughout the country for his work."

He had apologised to his staff and was upset that he had hurt the school and church communities and his family.

Further tests were being done on the computer to see if there had been remote access by another person, she said.

One parent said any pornography accessed by a principal on a school computer was inappropriate, regardless of whether it was legal.

The parent was also upset the school had not yet told parents.

Mr Apperley said parents would be informed, but the school had not yet decided when or how.

Principals' Federation president Pat Newman was unaware of the specific circumstances, but believed the offensiveness of the material must have been low.