Dearest friends, family and supporters

This afternoon the ACAT Hearing did not go well for our family.  The school’s two lawyers immediately challenged the powers and jurisdiction of the Civil and Administrative Tribunal in this matter.  After some deliberation and seeking further information from us, the Tribunal Senior Member was unable to establish power to act and therefore there was no value in hearing our case.   She advised if we wanted to continue down the legal path, the only alternative would be the Supreme Court.  We did not have the opportunity to present our case or the petition.

For the sake of the boys situation however, she arranged for private and confidential mediation tomorrow morning from 9.30am between ourselves and the school.  We lack confidence in this process to achieve the best outcome for our children and we feel completely powerless in this situation. 

As BCC is an Independent non-government school, the Education Act cannot be enforced in its entirety and so there is nothing the Snr Member at ACAT could do.

Your prayers for tomorrow would be appreciated and we thank you for all the support we have received to date.

Sadly
Jodie & Aldrin Jayatilaka