The Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) is an independent statutory authority for the teaching profession, whose primary function is to regulate members of the teaching profession to ensure quality teaching and provide for the safety and wellbeing of children.

The VIT conducted a formal hearing into allegations against currently interim suspended teacher, Miss Eleanor Yorke on Monday 24 March 2025.

It was alleged that, whilst employed as a registered teacher, Miss Yorke had frequent and familiar communication with a 17-year-old student throughout 2020 and contacted the student approximately 35,000 times via Microsoft Teams. It was also alleged that Miss Yorke then began a sexual relationship with the student after they had graduated and turned 18 and this relationship continued for a year. The formal hearing panel ordered that any information which might identify the student must not be published.

The VIT alleged that while registered as a teacher, Miss Yorke engaged in serious misconduct in that she compromised a professional relationship with the former student by having a sexualised relationship within 2 years of the student completing their senior secondary school or equivalent.  

The VIT also alleged that Ms Yorke engaged in serious misconduct in that she violated a professional relationship with a student by holding conversations of a personal nature without valid reason.

With these allegations considered, VIT further alleged that Miss Yorke was not fit to hold teacher registration and that her registration must be cancelled.

The facts were agreed by all parties and Miss Yorke conceded that she engaged in serious misconduct and was not fit to teach.

The hearing panel adjourned the matter to consider its decision, with decision and reasons to be given at a later date.