Students in revolt at Epsom Girls Grammar School, principal caught on secret recording after privacy breach
Epsom Girls Grammar principal Brenda McNaughton shared a former student’s private information, causing a privacy breach.
Some students claim the school feels like a “prison” and protest changes including increased periods and shorter lunch breaks.
The school is reviewing policies with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner following the breach.
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A top Auckland school principal has been caught on a secret recording telling staff “when others go low, we choose to go high” after a serious privacy breach involving a former student.
It comes amid a student revolt at Epsom Girls Grammar School (EGGS), with claims the college feels more like a “prison” than a place of learning.
Last Saturday, the Herald revealed principal Brenda McNaughton shared the name and confidential details of a former student who complained about disgraced music teacher Peter Thomas with another student’s father.
Following this reporting, an audio file appearing to be of McNaughton speaking to staff on Monday was provided to the Herald.
In the recording, she allegedly said: “As soon as we were aware of [the breach], we’ve been working with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner and following their advice right throughout.”
The school was reviewing policies and procedures, “certainly not starting from a position of deficit, but continually improving that space”.
She also acknowledged the “good work” she said the school had done regarding privacy.
“We are a large and very diverse community, and, in any large community, there are a small number who do get disgruntled, from time to time.”
The Herald, she told staff, did get one thing right - the description of EGGS as a “top school” in the headline.
“Our job, and what we do here at Epsom Girls Grammar School, is when others go low, we choose to go high.”
Speaking to the Herald on the condition of anonymity, an EGGS staffer said they believed McNaughton hadn’t acknowledged the mistake or taken responsibility.
They also said there had been no apology about the breach to staff.
Following Monday’s staff meeting about the privacy breach, the staffer was in “disbelief”.
“I was just so shocked, I couldn’t believe it.
“I don’t know who she was getting at with that ‘disgruntled’ comment, and, ‘When they go low we go high’. Who has gone low here? You have just been shown not to have been looking after the [privacy breach] victim. No one has gone low, it’s just the truth.”
The worker felt McNaughton cared more about protecting her own privacy than that of the former student.
‘Like a prison’
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On Tuesday, the Herald was sent an email signed by “24 anonymous” EGGS students.
In the correspondence, the students raise a list of grievances, including the increase next year from five daily periods to six, 30-minute lunch breaks and allegedly banning students from wearing thermals under their uniforms.
The email claims the school is trying to work students in to the ground.
The email also raised concerns about the privacy breach and the way confidential information was handled by the school.
The Herald was also sent an image of a poster displayed at the school featuring an image of a smiling man in handcuffs and a headline stating: “When your mum picks you up from school early”.
The poster included an image of McNaughton under the words “prime suspect”.
Underneath was a list taking aim at similar issues to those canvassed in the email.
“We, the students of Epsom Girls Grammar School, are protesting the potential changes in the process being made by principal McNaughton, which have made our school feel more like a prison than a place of learning.”
The document said changes to the timetable would cause confusion, and stricter rules made it harder to enjoy school.
“We believe school should be a place that helps us grow, not one that feels controlling and stressful. We deserve an environment where we can learn and express ourselves freely, without feeling restricted by unnecessary rules.
“We are asking for the school to rethink these changes and create a system that respects students’ needs and well-being. We want to feel safe, heard and supported, so we can thrive both academically and personally.”
The Herald repeatedly sought comment from the school this week but is yet to receive a response.
Recent school controversy
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Last year former EGGS teacher Peter Thomas lost his fight to keep details about his misconduct with a student secret and a Teachers’ Disciplinary Tribunal ruling against him was made public.
The tribunal evidence found Thomas “prevailed on [another student] to have sex with him, which ... was painful but to which she felt she could not say no”.
While the allegations of the sexual relationship between the former EGGS head of music and the girl had been publicised in 2021, it was only last year that the ruling could be shared.
After the ruling was shared a second former student came forward to the Herald alleging she too had complained about Thomas’ conduct.
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Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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52% Human-centred experience and communication
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15.3% Critical thinking
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29.8% Resilience and adaptability
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2.9% Other - I will share below!
The Gospel’s Relevance Today**
The Gospel, meaning ‘good news’, is the cornerstone of the message contained in the Bible’s first four books—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. While these records were written approximately 2,000 years ago, a natural question arises: why is this Gospel still relevant and vital for us today? This analysis seeks to explore what the Bible itself defines as the Gospel and to understand its enduring significance.
**Defining the Gospel: Core Biblical References**
The Gospel is not a vague concept; Scripture provides clear descriptions of its content and focus.
* **The Gospel of the Kingdom:** In Matthew 4:23, as Jesus begins his ministry, he is described as “preaching the gospel of the kingdom.” This immediately establishes that the good news is centrally about a kingdom—the Kingdom of God. His accompanying miracles served to validate the authority of this message.
* **The Gospel of Jesus Christ:** Mark 1:1 opens with, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Here, “Christ” is a title meaning ‘anointed one’. Thus, the good news is intrinsically about Jesus: his identity as the Anointed One and his unique status as the Son of God.
* **The Gospel of God’s Grace:** In Acts 20:24, the Apostle Paul speaks of his mission to “testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Grace signifies an undeserved gift. This reveals that the Gospel involves a gift from God, offered not because it is merited, but out of His benevolence.
* **The Gospel of Salvation and Peace:** Romans 1:16 declares the Gospel is “the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,” breaking down barriers between Jew and Gentile (Greek). Furthermore, Romans 10:15 calls it the “gospel of peace,” pointing to a future state of peace brought about by this message.
* **The Gospel Summarised:** 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 provides a foundational summary. Paul reminds believers of the gospel he preached, “by which also you are saved.” He then states its core historical facts: “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” The Gospel is therefore rooted in the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus.
In synthesis, the Gospel is the good news of **salvation and future peace in the Kingdom of God**, made possible by **the grace of God** and **the obedient sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ**, and offered to all who believe.
**Old Testament Foundations: The Gospel Preached to Abraham**
A crucial question is whether the Gospel is confined to the New Testament. Scripture shows its foundations were laid much earlier. Galatians 3:8 states explicitly that “the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’”
This reference points back to Genesis 12:1-3, where God made profound promises to Abraham: to make him a great nation, to bless those who blessed him, and that “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” These promises—later reaffirmed to Isaac and Jacob—form the bedrock of the Gospel hope. The good news of salvation through Christ is the fulfillment of how **all nations** would be blessed through Abraham’s “seed.”
**The Gospel’s Personal Relevance: Good News for You Today**
How does this ancient message become “good news for you” today? The application is clearly outlined in Galatians 3.
* **Access through Faith in Christ:** Galatians 3:26 declares, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” The promise made to Abraham is now extended to anyone with faith in Jesus.
* **The Role of Baptism:** Verse 27 explains, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Baptism is the God-appointed act of faith that identifies a believer with Christ’s death and resurrection.
* **Unity and Inheritance:** Verses 28-29 reveal the glorious outcome: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Through the Gospel, all barriers are removed; believers become spiritual descendants of Abraham and heirs to the promises of the Kingdom.
This Gospel was once a mystery hidden in God’s purpose (Ephesians 3:3-9). Now, it has been revealed: the unsearchable riches of Christ, offering salvation to all who heed the call, believe the message, and are baptised into him.
**Conclusion: An Enduring and Open Invitation**
The Gospel is far more than a historical account; it is the living, powerful good news of God’s plan for salvation. It is rooted in promises to Abraham, accomplished through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and open to all people without distinction. It offers a tangible hope—the hope of resurrection, peace, and an inheritance in the coming Kingdom of God. This is why the Gospel remains profoundly relevant. It is an invitation to listen, believe, and stand firm in this hope, linking our lives today to the eternal purpose of God.
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