21
36.
When seen in historical perspective, the many events which occurred during the 1977/78 school year were a continuation of the confrontation which began with the disclosure of financial mismanagement. Aggravated by the new contract, the June 1977 sit-in and the warning letters, the discontent further fermented during the summer vacation. Seen in this light, events at the School during the 1977/78 school year should not be regarded as the original cause of trouble, but a natural consequence of events that had occurred before. By the time when the new Principal, Miss Hilda Kwan, and the new Supervisor, Sister Lorraine Turcotte, appeared on the scene, the line of conflict had already been clearly drawn and the opportunities available to either side to adopt a more flexible and understanding approach were fast diminishing.
37.
The Roman Catholic Bishop who recommended the appointment of Miss Hilda Kwan and Sister Lorraine Turcotte
had even less opportunity than the Director of Education to have a complete appreciation of the situation prevailing
at the School. His position was not helped by the fact that although the Precious Blood Congregation had maintained its intention of withdrawing its sponsorship, he had, in the meantime, not yet assumed direct control of the School.
Like the Director of Education, he had formed his impressions on the School by relying largely on the assessment originating from the Precious Blood Congregation. Indeed, events at the School since April 1977, and particularly the June sit-in, certainly did not provide him with any good reason to alter the view that a number of teachers at the School were creating
trouble.
/38.