He denied seven teachers had resigned and maintained school planning for 2010 was proceeding in a positive way.

“Someone is spreading nonsense by making merry with a wild story,’’ Mr Fouracre told the Daily Liberal.

“There is no staffing crisis at our school. A couple of teachers have indicated a wish to move on and are doing so with my blessing. The departures are within the normal movement of any independent school.’’

According to Mr Fouracre, Macquarie Anglican Grammar School has 45 full-time staff, including a number of teachers on maternity leave and two people on contract until the end of the year.

He said all independent schools have difficulty attracting quality staff in certain faculties.

“Most teachers coming to a regional city like Dubbo are keen to become part of the community,’’ Mr Fouracre said.

“But some don’t settle and still have an eye over their shoulder looking down the Mitchell Highway towards Sydney.

“Other teachers relocate to be with their family or for other personal reasons.’’

Mr Fouracre described Macquarie Anglican Grammar School teachers as enthusiastic, committed and experienced.

He said the school was expanding its horizons and enjoying increased enrolment.

“The current student population stands at just under 400,’’ Mr Fouracre said.

“Next year numbers are expected to reach 420.

“We have applied for funding to build a vocational training centre and are running an increased range of electives in the senior school.’’

Mr Fouracre came to Macquarie Anglican Grammar School from St Andrew’s Cathedral School in Sydney.

He formerly led substantial growth as principal of Shoalhaven Anglican School on the south coast and was founding principal of The Lakes College on the outskirts of Brisbane. From 1996-97 Mr Fouracre was deputy principal of Dubbo Christian School.

At the time of his appointment Mr Fouracre said he wasn’t concerned to be the fourth Macquarie Anglican Grammar School principal in six years.

He was recruited by an international consulting firm and came to the job “with experience in leading schools, knowledge of what makes country people tick and an understanding of the growing pains of a new school.”