New South Wales High School Principal Dismissed for Sexual Misconduct with Student
A high school principal in New South Wales (NSW) has been fired by the Department of Education after an investigation found she engaged in sexual misconduct with a student. The department has also placed her on its not to be employed list. This action comes following a claim that she sexually abused a student when she was in her late 40s.
Last year, The Guardian revealed that the woman was under investigation by the department and police due to allegations of abuse involving a 17-year-old student. The abuse only came to light after the student tragically passed away in an accident in his 20s, and his mother accessed conversations on his mobile phone.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education stated, The employee has been found to have engaged in misconduct. They have been dismissed from their employment with the department and their name placed on the Not To Be Employed List. The safety and welfare of children and young people is of paramount concern.
Despite the family of the alleged victim being made aware of the decision by The Guardian rather than the department, they welcomed the news. The young man’s father expressed mixed feelings, saying, It’s a bit of justice in one way but it doesn’t bring our son back.
The department’s professional and ethical standards directorate initially investigated the principal from December 2016 until May 2018. At that time, the teacher was cleared of any wrongdoing. However, the student’s mother discovered fresh evidence and requested the department to reopen the investigation in 2022.
Authorities dropped their police investigation last year after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions determined there was insufficient admissible evidence to proceed to trial due to the alleged victim’s passing.
The female school leader was informed of her dismissal this week. During the investigation, she was placed on administrative work and banned from interacting with students by the department.
The case first garnered attention when the student’s mother discovered hundreds of messages between her son and the principal dating back a decade, when he was in year 12 and she was a deputy principal. The conversations gradually veered away from school matters and indicated arrangements to meet outside of school hours, as well as discussions about kissing and the teacher’s husband being aware of their relationship.
While some messages implied physical encounters, it remains unclear whether the pair had a sexual relationship. The teacher made comments such as women of her age don’t go around falling in luv with 17 yr olds and expressed desires to get a kiss out of you today and next minute. She even jokingly mentioned getting married to him when I get out of jail for corrupting you.
The investigation will not be reopened unless new evidence emerges. The police notified the boy’s family last year that an anonymous report had been lodged the year after the teenager finished school, in which he denied any misconduct had occurred.
The Guardian has made multiple attempts to contact the teacher for comment, but there has been no response.
In conclusion, the dismissal of a high school principal in New South Wales for sexual misconduct with a student has been met with mixed emotions by the alleged victim’s family. While they appreciate the sense of justice, they acknowledge that it cannot bring their son back. The Department of Education took action after investigating claims that the teacher had sexually abused a student, leading to her dismissal and placement on the not to be employed list. Although the police investigation was dropped due to insufficient evidence, the department’s decision reflects its commitment to prioritizing the safety and welfare of children and young people.
