Petition calls for reinstatement of Mandurah principal

Halls Head College principal Bronwyn White was stood down pending and investigation earlier this week after requesting parents keep their children home despite the state government's advice to return to school on Wednesday, April 29.

It was a move that was met with outrage from the local community after the Mandurah Mail broke the news on Wednesday evening.

Supporters of Ms White flocked to social media to have their say.

"As a parent who received this letter I was very appreciative of her clear directions and honesty," one commenter wrote.

"As a former student, I can say for a fact that Bronwyn has always had the best interest of the staff and students at heart," another added.

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Ms White wrote to parents on Friday claiming the school did not have adequate space to abide by social distancing protocol should all 1450 students return, while also citing fears of a lack of hygiene and cleaning products.

But a full retraction of the letter followed on Tuesday, just one day before the school's return date, with the principal saying her proposal to keep children home was "not in line with departmental expectations".

The re-opening of public schools across WA was announced by Premier Mark McGowan on Friday, April 17, with parents able to choose whether their children would attend or not.

The Premier strongly encouraged all Year 11 and 12 students to return to school, saying health advice had given them the green light.

The petition calling for Ms White's reinstatement was launched on Change.org on Wednesday night, claiming the dismissal was "unfair."