Lockwood defended

A former Pilbara MP has defended embattled Nollamara Primary School principal Steve Lockwood.

Larry Graham, who dealt with Mr Lockwood while the two men lived in the region, said he specifically remembered his diligence and professionalism.

“When you’re a Member of Parliament you have a lot to do with schools and over my 16 years, both as a parent in the Pilbara and the local member, I met literally hundreds and hundreds of school teachers, ” he said.

“Some remained in my memory and some not — Steve Lockwood is one who remained because he was very good at what he did.”

Mr Graham said Mr Lockwood worked at Cassia Primary School, Nullagine Remote Community School and Yandeyarra Remote Community School.

“It is very difficult to get quality teachers to go to remote area schools and once you get them there it is very difficult to get them to stay, ” he said.

“But those who do, get attached to the degree of difficulty of teaching in those areas, they see the challenge in teaching and rise to it — he was one of them.”

Mr Lockwood was stood aside last week following allegations he used “unreasonable force” to restrain students at Nollamara Primary School.

Mr Graham, who specified he knew nothing about the alleged Nollamara incidents, said he felt Mr Lockwood’s reputation had been unfairly tarnished before investigations were completed.

“I’m not interested in the issue other than someone who I’ve dealt with, who I have considered to be a teacher of quality and substance has been stood aside — publicly his reputation is in tatters and I think that is wrong, ” he said.

“I don’t think anything like this should ever go public until the matter has been dealt with — the guy is being tried in the court of public opinion where the issue doesn’t belong.”

A spokesman for the Education Department, which previously praised Mr Lockwood’s success in controlling difficult students, said a staff member facing allegations of misconduct would be removed from a school only if their presence risked students’ safety.