Elite Melbourne girls’ school sacks teacher after child sex assault charges as principal breaks news to parents: ‘This will be confronting’
A Melbourne girls’ school has dismissed a geography teacher after an internal investigation found breaches of its staff and student conduct policies. The teacher has also been charged with three counts of sexually assaulting a 16- or 17-year-old student under his care, supervision or authority; the allegations are before the courts.
Methodist Ladies’ College says it stood him down in September, when it learned of the concerns, and reported the matter to police. The 32-year-old, who had taught at the school since 2021, was arrested after police searched his home and was bailed to return to court on 2 December. Principal Julia Shea informed families as students began term four, and said parents of students in Years 7 to 12 who had classroom contact with him had also been contacted.
- Melbourne teacher dismissed after school investigation.
- He faces three child sexual assault charges.
- Parents were informed as term four began.
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Methodist Ladies' College is an independent secondary school for girls in Melbourne. A geography teacher employed there since 2021 has been charged with sexually assaulting a student and subsequently dismissed following the school's internal investigation.
The teacher faces three counts of sexual assault involving a 16- or 17-year-old student who was under his supervision at the school. The school reported the matter to police in September when concerns emerged, and police conducted a search of his home before bailing him to return to court.
Cases involving allegations of abuse by school staff receive close scrutiny from parents, education authorities and the public. They highlight the importance of reporting procedures and how schools respond when concerns about staff conduct are raised.