Name | Date of decision | Case Type | |
---|---|---|---|
Name | Date of decision | Case type | Case note |
Osmond, Shane | 19 October 2018 | Serious Misconduct | The teacher failed to maintain a professional relationship with the student, including by holding conversations of a personal nature and using sexual innuendo with the student. The teacher’s conduct was a substantial departure from the expectations of a member of the teaching profession and therefore
amounted to serious misconduct. |
Nagashima, Yukihiro | 21 August 2017 | Serious Misconduct |
Teacher found to have committed serious misconduct by inappropriate social media contact with a student - no criminal charges. The teacher’s registration was suspended. Decision PDF, 255.72 KB |
Johnson, Jack Daniel | 8 May 2017 | Serious Misconduct | Teacher violated the professional relationship with a student, through communications on the social media applications Facebook and Snap Chat. |
Currie, Keith Walter | 15 March 2018 | Serious Misconduct | Unprofessional relationship with a female student – historic matter - serious misconduct – teacher had been suspended for six months at the time of the Panel’s decision – passage of time –remorse – panel concluded that the teacher is currently fit to teach. The panel has made orders preventing publication of certain matters to protect the student (attached below). Please note that this is a précis of the decision handed down on 15 March 2018. The decision is in this form to protect the interests of the student. |
Steele, George | 11 March 2015 | Serious Incompetence | Professional practice was substantially below that expected of a teacher and student learning and safety was compromised – no prospect of improvement. |
AHE-H | 12 October 2014 | Fitness to Teach |
Teacher convicted of indictable offences – last offence in 2009. The teacher failed to attend the hearing. Fit to teach. Decision(PDF, 75.05 KB) |
Muthuthanthirige, Bandujeeva | 28 April 2014 | Fitness to Teach |
Teacher convicted of indictable offences. The Panel concluded that the offences raise serious questions about the teacher's character, reputation and conduct. Offences appear to be in part a result of a health issue. Registration suspended and conditions imposed. Decision (PDF, 93.95 KB) In this decision précis certain elements of the Panel decision have been abridged at the request of the teacher, in order that his medical treatment is not adversely affected. The detail of conditions actually imposed by the Panel can be viewed by inspection of the public register. Mr Muthuthanthirige fulfilled the conditions of the Panel's determination and the suspension of his registration was lifted on 28 October 2015. |
Rodriguez, Javier | 6 March 2014 | Fitness to Teach |
Conviction in County Court of an indictable offence involving criminal conduct of a kind which raises serious questions about relationships the teacher might have with children in his care – isolated incident – little remorse or insight shown. No determination (teacher not registered at date of finding). Decision (PDF, 133.24 KB) |
Kerstens, Kurt Peter | 11 November 2013 | Fitness to Teach |
Convicted of indictable offences unrelated to teaching duties. The majority of the Panel Members concluded that the teacher recognised the gravity of the situation, is remorseful and unlikely to reoffend. The majority of the Panel Members concluded the teacher was presently fit to teach. Decision (PDF, 72.57 KB) Please note that this is a précis of the decision and reasons handed down on 11 November 2013. The decision and reasons are in this form in order to protect the interests of some witnesses. The Panel was satisfied that Mr Kerstens fulfilled the conditions of the determination and the conditions on his registration were lifted on 11 December 2014. |
SMMcF | 11 November 2013 | Fitness to Teach | Teacher convicted of indictable offences – a domestic matter unrelated to teaching duties. The Panel concluded that it was an isolated incident and that the teacher was remorseful and unlikely to reoffend. |
Makar, Maher | 15 October 2013 | Serious Incompetence | Professional practice substantially below that expected of a teacher and student learning was compromised. Mentoring and support did not achieve any sustained improvement – teacher lacked insight or understanding of areas of professional practice which needed improvement – no prospect of
improvement. |
Ganser, Asha John | 24 July 2013 | Serious Misconduct | Multiple incidents of inappropriate conduct towards students. The teacher did not attend the hearing to defend or explain conduct. |
Pleydell, Craig John | 13 June 2013 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate texts and Facebook messages sent to students. The teacher lacked awareness of the harm caused to the students – teacher in a leadership position. |
De Silva, Sandya Damayanthi | 24 May 2013 | Serious Incompetence | Teacher failed to engage with students over a long period. Mentoring and support did not achieve any improvement and student learning was detrimentally affected – no prospect of improvement. |
Mine, Aycha | 10 May 2013 | Fitness to Teach | Teacher's personal conduct had impacted on her professional standing and that of the teaching profession as a whole. |
RGA | 22 March 2013 | Fitness to Teach | Teacher convicted of indictable offences and the Panel concluded that there is little likelihood the teacher would re-offend. |
Davis, Colin Graeme | 5 March 2013 | Serious Misconduct | Teacher formed a sexual relationship with a female student and the Panel noted that the relationship went unnoticed by the school and only came to light when the student reported the matter as an adult. The Panel considered that there were salutary lessons for all schools in this case. The teacher
failed to attend the hearing. Decision (PDF, 164.78 KB) Please note that this is an edited version of the decision handed down on 5 March 2013. The decision is in this form to protect the identities of some individuals. |
PJH | 1 March 2013 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate conduct towards female friend of the teacher's daughter – isolated incident – remorse and insight shown. |
Dellaportas, Carlos | 8 February 2013 | Fitness to Teach | Teacher found guilty of indictable offence – brought the profession into disrepute. No evidence of remorse or insight and the Panel concluded that the teacher's character was such that he should not be entrusted with a position of authority and influence. The teacher failed to attend the
hearing. |
Hobbs, Christine Sally | 29 January 2013 | Serious Misconduct | Teacher was abusive and aggressive in a school setting requiring intervention by police to remove her from the school. The Panel noted it was an isolated instance. The Panel was satisfied that Mrs Hobbs fulfilled the conditions of the determination and the conditions on her registration were lifted on 7 February 2014. |
Pham, Tuyet Thi Bach | 17 December 2012 | Fitness to Teach | Teacher found guilty of indictable offence. Panel had no evidence of remorse and insight – the offence shows serious flaws in character. The teacher failed to attend the hearing. |
NJP | 3 December 2012 | Fitness to Teach | Teacher on a charge of stalking in 2011 – no conviction recorded – teacher showed insight and remorse. |
Mincic, Vera | 30 November 2012 | Serious Incompetence | Failure to exercise appropriate classroom management, effectively communicate with students and appropriately assess student work – did not treat colleagues with courtesy and respect. |
Connell, Gavan Michael | 10 October 2012 | Serious Misconduct | Accessed pornography on school supplied laptop and students were able to access these images – had the potential to bring the profession as a whole into disrepute. Teacher failed to attend the hearing. |
Bryant, Abbey Megan | 3 October 2012 | Serious Misconduct | Teacher involved in an unprofessional relationship with a male student – breached the professional standards of the teaching profession. The teacher attended the hearing and showed insight and remorse and had taken steps to address the behaviour. |
LJB | 2 October 2012 | Fitness to Teach | Teacher convicted of a number of indictable offences. The Panel was satisfied that the offences occurred in the context of significant personal issues, were not principally committed for financial gain and the conduct was unlikely to be repeated. The teacher showed insight and remorse and had undertaken
treatment. |
Fiford, James Richard Michael | 20 September 2012 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate texts sent to a student – teacher's conduct reflected attitudes inconsistent with the moral qualities required of a teacher. The Panel was satisfied that Mr Fiford fulfilled the conditions of the determination and the suspension of his registration was lifted on 1 May 2013. |
Chappell, Peter | 10 September 2012 | Fitness to Teach | Multiple breaches of Intervention order between September 2005 and October 2006 – custodial sentence – no further offences since 2006. The Panel thought it likely the teacher would re-offend, but concluded the teacher's state of mind and professional clarity demonstrated that he was not
of appropriate character and therefore not fit to teach. |
PRBF | 1 August 2012 | Fitness to Teach | Teacher convicted of passport related offences – Panel satisfied that the offences occurred as an act of bravado – no financial gain. The Panel concluded that the teacher showed insight and remorse and the conduct was unlikely to be repeated. |
SJK | 24 July 2012 | Fitness to Teach | Teacher found guilty of criminal offences that occurred in 2007-2008 – related to falsifying medical certificates. Teacher demonstrated insight and outlined steps taken to address the issue and the Panel considered it unlikely that the teacher would reoffend. |
BKP | 13 July 2012 | Fitness to Teach | Teacher guilty of assault in 2009 – placed on a good behaviour bond and no conviction recorded – the teacher showed insight. |
Runciman, David | 13 July 2012 | Fitness to Teach | Teacher found guilty of a serious offence which would tend to bring the profession into disrepute. The Panel accepted that the teacher showed some insight but concluded that the teacher is not presently fit to teach. |
AZ | 30 June 2012 | Fitness to Teach | Teacher charged with criminal assault arising from a domestic dispute – single incident not connected with teaching – teacher expressed remorse and showed insight into the behaviour. |
Lont, Simon Christopher | 30 April 2012 | Serious Misconduct | Unprofessional relationship with a female student – a single episode of inappropriate communications – breached the professional standards of the teaching profession. Teacher was remorseful and had undertaken counselling. The Panel observed that the teaching profession needs to be ever
mindful of the implications and perils of using social media in its interactions with students. |
Thompson, Steven Robert | 16 April 2012 | Serious Misconduct | Teacher accessed pornography on a school supplied laptop. Teacher declined to appear before the Panel and did not contest the allegations or provide any mitigating circumstances. Panel noted that the personal conduct of a teacher will have an impact on the professional standing of the teacher and the
profession and risks bringing the profession as a whole into disrepute. |
Anderson, Chad Andrew | 12 March 2012 | Serious Misconduct | Unprofessional relationship with a female student – persistent and inappropriate communications by text messaging – breach of the professional standards of the teaching profession and the Code of Conduct. The teacher failed to attend the hearing. |
KT | 31 January 2012 | Fitness to Teach | Teacher found guilty of indictable offence – assault in a domestic situation. No conviction recorded and the teacher complied with court requirements – single offence – likelihood of repeat behaviour very low. |
Taylor (Coppock) Belinda Maree | 25 January 2012 | Serious Misconduct | Teacher found guilty of falsifying medical certificates. Panel satisfied there was remorse and insight – an isolated incident, out of character and unlikely to be repeated. |
GJB | 16 January 2012 | Fitness to Teach | Teacher found guilty of indictable offence – indecent assault in 1988 – late complaint by former student. Panel satisfied there was remorse and insight–- isolated incident, out of character, unlikely to be repeated. |
Hausler, Shayne Robert | 31 August 2011 | Serious Misconduct | Aggressive, intimidatory, disrespectful and failed to demonstrate collegiality and courtesy to colleagues. Failed to provide adequate learning opportunities to students and failed to deliver the required curriculum. No evidence to suggest a change in behaviour – lack of insight and remorse –
approach to teaching and colleagues irretrievably and profoundly flawed. |
Lee, Yen-Qing | 27 July 2011 | Serious Incompetence | Failed to engage students and impart knowledge – inappropriate classroom management - failed to plan and prepare lessons and monitor and maintain records – behaviour continuous and persistent across all areas of work – teaching practice deeply flawed but not irretrievable. The suspension of Mr Lee's registration was lifted with effect from 27 January 2012. Mr Lee's registration remains subject to the conditions of the Panel's determination dated 27 July 2011. |
Angerer, Siegfried-Erich | 18 July 2011 | Serious Misconduct | Failed to treat colleagues and students with courtesy and respect – no insight into professional knowledge and practice – behaviour brought disrepute to the profession and placed young people at risk – a substantial departure from educational standards. |
Singh, Bhupinder | 8 April 2011 | Serious Misconduct | Unprofessional relationship with a female student – persistent in inappropriate communications – breached the professional standards of the teaching profession. Teacher failed to attend the hearing. |
Stanley, Oliver Graeme | 14 February 2011 | Serious Misconduct | Teacher found guilty of indictable offence – make threat to kill – and also failed to treat colleagues with courtesy and respect – using inappropriate language, making inappropriate verbal threats and physically assaulting colleagues. Teacher demonstrated remorse and willingness to
undertake counselling. Decision (PDF, 78.7 KB) |
De Wilde, Gene | 4 February 2011 | Fitness to Teach | Teacher convicted of indictable offence of intentionally causing serious injury – undertaken counselling and demonstrated insight. The Panel was satisfied that Mr De Wilde fulfilled the conditions of the determination and the suspension of his registration was lifted on 5 December 2011. |
Ham, Irene Rosemary | 8 December 2010 | Serious Incompetence | Failed to adequately plan, structure and prepare lessons; supervise and create a safe environment and cater for special needs students. Failed to demonstrate collegiality. Teacher showed insight and undertook retraining and professional development. |
Connor, Raymond Thomas | 24 November 2010 | Serious Misconduct | Unprofessional relationship with female students – failed to treat students with courtesy and dignity – failed to follow warning and direction of Principal – persistent pattern of behaviour of many years – no real understanding of impact on students – no remorse. Decision (PDF, 78.23 KB) Please note that this is a précis of the decision handed down on 24 November 2010. The decision is in this form to protect the interests of some witnesses. |
Wilkin, Christopher Wayne | 26 August 2010 | Serious Misconduct | Physical contact with students – limited insight into conduct and impact on others – blame others for his behaviour – lack of professional credibility. |
ACS | 2 August 2010 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate comments to female students – lapse of judgment – momentary aberration in a 25 year teaching career. |
Gregson, Ainsley Greer | 14 July 2010 | Serious Misconduct | Unprofessional relationship with a student – drinking to excess with students – role of teacher not to be a friend – personal development required. |
Wolf, Edward | 4 June 2010 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate comments to students and inappropriate classroom management. Conduct a breach of trust, continuing and persistent and showed a lack of understanding of appropriate discipline practice – lack of remorse. |
Livingston, Martin John | 7 May 2010 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate contact with female students – teacher exploited position of privilege and trust – behaviour to detriment of students and reputation of teaching profession. Decision (PDF, 72.24 KB) Please note that this is a précis of the decision handed down on 7 May 2010. The decision is in this form to protect the interests of some witnesses. |
GDG | 30 April 2010 | Fitness to Teach | Teacher found guilty of indictable offences committed over a short period – teacher co-accused and not principal offender – teacher has shown remorse. |
Shea, Peter Melvin | 7 April 2010 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate comments to students. Conduct showed a lack of classroom management skills and a breach of trust. Behaviour crossed the teacher/student boundary – lack of insight. |
Sutton, Tara Kate | 4 March 2010 | Fitness to Teach | Teacher found guilty of traffic, cultivate, possess and use of cannabis. The teacher has shown insight and remorse – teacher addicted to cannabis and is receiving treatment. |
Tarascio, Carmelo | 18 December 2009 | Serious Misconduct | Teacher lied about his reason for sick leave to the school and the doctor providing a medical certificate – departure from standards of the teaching profession – behaviour calculated and deceitful. The panel was satisfied that Mr Tarascio fulfilled the conditions of the determination and the suspension of his registration with effect from 9 September 2010. |
Neville, Steven James | 16 December 2009 | Serious Misconduct | Teacher failed to comply with conditions imposed by Panel. Teacher did not provide a schedule of payments to repay the court's compensation order as necessary to comply with all conditions. |
Gordon, Robyn Christine | 20 November 2009 | Serious Incompetence | Failed to engage and communicate effectively with students. Teaching practice of a lesser standard than expected by peers – incompetence over an extended period. The Panel was satisfied that Ms Gordon fulfilled conditions (1), (2) and (3) of the determination and the suspension of her registration was lifted with effect from 14 January 2011. Condition (6) remains on Ms Gordon's registration. |
Rolfe, Douglas Gavin | 6 November 2009 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate communication via email and letters to a student – failed to recognise and maintain distinction between pastoral care and counselling – transgressed professional boundaries. Please note that this is a précis of the decision handed down on 6 November 2009. The decision is in this form to protect the interests of some witnesses. |
DRH | 27 October 2009 | Fitness to Teach | Conviction for the indictable offence of blackmail – hearing adjourned for 12 months. Teacher attended counselling sessions and has undergone personal and professional growth. |
Contessotto, Martin John | 24 August 2009 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate communication via text messaging – inappropriate conversations and physical conduct with a student- no understanding of professional boundaries – exploit position of power and trust. |
Murray, Leigh Brian | 17 July 2009 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate communication and contact with a female student – lack of personal and professional insight and lack of understanding of teacher-student boundaries – lack of insight into his behaviour and its effects on students. The Panel was satisfied that Mr Murray fulfilled the conditions of the determination and the suspension of his registration was lifted with effect from 12 October 2010. |
Crawley, Anthony Gerard | 17 June 2009 | Serious Misconduct | Teacher failed to comply with conditions imposed by Panel – did not undertake counselling or provide report before deadline – did not demonstrate any intention of complying. |
Moran, Peter John | 20 May 2009 | Serious Misconduct | Teacher failed to comply with condition imposed by Panel – did not attend the course nominated by the Institute and indicated no intention of undertaking nominated course. The suspension of Mr Moran's registration was lifted with effect from 31 December 2010. |
Toy, Benjamin Andrew | 16 April 2009 | Serious Misconduct | Teacher failed to comply with conditions imposed by Panel – did not undertake counselling or provide report by deadline and no likelihood of teacher complying with condition in foreseeable future. The suspension of Mr Toy's registration was lifted with effect from 31 December 2010. |
Giuleri, Wayne Anthony | 23 March 2009 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate physical contact with a female student 24 years ago - behaviour of teacher then inappropriate and amounts to serious misconduct - teacher in 2009 did not pose a threat to the public. |
Janse Van Vuuren, Stephanus Petrus | 17 February 2009 | Serious Misconduct | Teacher convicted of 'up-skirting'. Teacher was remorseful and has undertaken treatment program – no medical or psychological evidence that teacher would not reoffend. |
Hickey, Alfred Angelo | 16 February 2009 | Fitness to Teach | Teacher failed to acknowledge his inability to adhere to school guidelines and reporting tasks – failed to recognise his failures were symptoms of stress and anxiety. |
Heley, Matthew Walter Graeme | 10 February 2009 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate communication and contact with female students and allowed students to develop an emotional dependency on him. Failed to recognise professional boundaries - abuse of power relationship. |
McGrath, Bradley John | 5 February 2009 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate communication via text messaging a student – abused his power and authority - lack of understanding of appropriate boundaries between teacher and student and lack of knowledge of ethical responsibility. Please note that this is a précis of the decision handed down on 5 February 2009. The decision is in this form to protect the interests of some witnesses. |
Taylor, Adrian (Formerly Laragy, Adrian) | 14 January 2009 | Serious Misconduct | The teacher applied for a review of the VIT Hearing Panel's decision to the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal ('VCAT'). The Panel's decision included a finding of serious misconduct and not fit to teach and a determination to cancel the teacher's registration. In a decision handed down on 15 December 2009, the VCAT found the teacher had engaged in serious misconduct. It ordered that the decision of the Panel dated 14 January 2009 be set aside and the teacher's registration be suspended until 14 January 2011. Five conditions were placed on the teacher's suspension and reinstatement set out in VCAT's orders. View a copy of VCAT's decision |
Van Den Brink, Linda Frances | 11 December 2008 | Fitness to Teach | Guilty of indictable offences – teacher diagnosed with a personality disorder, kleptomania and attention deficit disorder – offences related to illness and stress and no guarantee that teacher will not reoffend. |
SWS | 28 November 2008 | Serious Misconduct | Personal comments and SMS messages to students – inappropriate SMS messages to a student – serious lapse of judgement by teacher – a momentary aberration in a 16-year career. |
Hook, Carly Marie | 29 October 2008 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate relationship with a student. Student stayed overnight in teacher's home – teacher had sexual intercourse with student post VCE exams but prior to 31 December 2005. Lack of understanding and insight into conduct. The Panel was satisfied that Ms Hook fulfilled the conditions of the determination and the suspension of her registration was lifted on 11 March 2009. |
Larsen, Neil Douglas | 29 October 2008 | Serious Incompetence | Failure to effectively plan, assess and submit reports. Repeated failures to comply with assessment and reporting impacted on imparting knowledge to students. |
Webber, Tania | 27 October 2008 | Serious Incompetence | Teacher lacked ability to engage students and failed to adequately supervise students – failed to effectively provide, teach and assess the required curriculum and unable to provide a safe learning environment. Teacher failed to attend the hearing. |
RJS | 21 October 2008 | Serious Incompetence | Failure to provide a safe environment and to supervise and discipline students – issues arose as teacher could not or would not implement the school's student management policy. Conduct occurred over a short period and was not continuing and persistent |
Brochard, Renai Gladys (Registered as Rossi, Ginetta) | 1 October 2008 | Registration obtained by Fraud | Supplied documents in support of the application. Convicted of indictable offences resulting from her fraudulent application and registration as a teacher -should not be registered as a teacher as she is not qualified. |
Toy, Benjamin Andrew | 15 September 2008 | Serious Misconduct | Teacher's laptop computer contained pornographic movies which were downloaded at school and could have been accessed by staff and students at the school - teacher's behaviour was a gross failure of his professional responsibilities – genuine contrition and remorse. |
Crawley, Anthony Gerard | 9 September 2008 | Fitness to Teach | Finding of guilt for Indictable offence. Teacher has undertaken counselling and demonstrated remorse. |
Strahan, Julie Elizabeth | 29 August 2008 | Serious Misconduct | Aggressive, unprofessional, intimidating behaviour and failure to demonstrate collegiality – teacher lacked personal insight and understanding of role and responsibility of a teacher. |
Neville, Steven James | 14 August 2008 | Serious Misconduct | Teacher guilty of theft and burglary from school. Teacher showed remorse, but needs to develop a deeper understanding of legal responsibilities of a teacher. |
Kehagias, David Jonathan | 23 July 2008 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate communication and physical contact with female student – abuse of trust – lack of understanding of power imbalance. |
Grady, Sean David | 21 July 2008 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate communication and physical contact with female students. Lack of understanding of nature of trust and power relationships – genuine remorse and a degree of insight. |
Nolan, Warwick John | 20 May 2008 | Serious Misconduct | Teacher's laptop computer contained images of child pornography and his school desktop computer contained graphic and violent images of pornography which were transferred to school server. Serious departure from standards of teaching practice. |
Dore, Gavin Frederick | 21 April 2008 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate text messages to student – teacher admitted misconduct and has shown remorse – lacking necessary depth of insight into behaviour and understanding of professional boundaries. |
LMH | 24 January 2008 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate conversations and language with students and inappropriate relationship with a student. Teacher demonstrated remorse and personal and professional learning. |
Roche, Suzanne | 4 January 2008 | Serious Misconduct | Unprofessional and inappropriate relationship with a student – failed to maintain objectivity and breached the professional standards of the teaching profession and the Code of Conduct. Teacher failed to attend the hearing. |
Drakeford, Peter Melvin | 18 December 2007 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate relationship with student – phone calls, gifts and unauthorised outings – teacher to undertake counselling – demonstrates insight and remorse. |
Mortyn, Alistair Donald | 15 November 2007 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate communication with students – abuse of trust and authority – lack of insight into behaviour and consequences of behaviour and lack of genuine remorse. |
Prodromou, Maria | 12 November 2007 | Serious Misconduct | Misappropriation of school funds – indictable offences of obtaining property by deception – breach of professional trust and lack of remorse. Teacher failed to attend the hearing. |
Sutton, Katherine May | 24 September 2007 | Serious Misconduct | Teacher provided fraudulent medical certificates – guilty of obtaining financial advantage by deception. Teacher showed remorse and understanding of standards of the teaching profession. |
Hocking, Kenneth William | 3 September 2007 | Serious Incompetence | Failed to effectively teach, engage and supervise students and maintain acceptable student behaviour. Teacher failed to benefit from support provided and failed to maintain the standards of the teaching profession. |
JER | 5 August 2007 | Serious Misconduct | Offensive language and lack of courtesy to students and teachers - limited remorse. |
SMN | 6 June 2007 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate professional behaviour – physical contact with students. Incidents did not show a pattern of behaviour that demonstrated serious misconduct or unfitness to teach. |
Wescott, Terrence James | 14 May 2007 | Serious Misconduct | Conviction for possession of child pornography overturned by County Court. Teacher accessed pornographic images of young people – substantial departure from standards of teaching profession. Teacher failed to attend the hearing. |
Hessler, William Blair | 9 May 2007 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate relationship with student – kissing and touching a female student – abuse of power and trust and no genuine remorse. |
Conway, Matthew Paul | 30 April 2007 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate relationship with a student – text messages contained familiar and sexual comments and sent late at night – disregarded advice and direction of Principal and lacked personal insight – lack of professional judgement and remorse. |
Walter, Karin Elizabeth | 30 April 2007 | Serious Incompetence | Inexperienced teacher – classroom management and discipline problems. Teacher has insight into problems of professional practice. The Panel was satisfied that Ms Walter fulfilled the conditions of the determination and the conditions on her registration were lifted on 25 September 2008. |
Baker, Courtenay Peter Charles | 20 February 2007 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate relationship with student – teacher sent emails and MSN messages containing sexual comments – gave student presents. Teacher continued to email and send MSN messages after being told by Principal to stop contacting student. |
Smith, Craig William | 1 February 2007 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate relationship with student – touching, kissing and SMS texting including messages about 'crossing boundaries' – meeting student outside school grounds – another student affected by the relationship. Teacher provided a report from treating psychologist – report addressed the 10 issues set out in the decision. Panel satisfied teacher met the conditions of decision. |
Sargsyan, Vahe | 1 February 2007 | Serious Misconduct | Teacher working as a private tutor – developed inappropriate relationship with the student – SMS text messages with sexual implications. The Panel was satisfied that Mr Sargsyan fulfilled the conditions of the determination and the suspension of his registration was lifted on 6 February 2008. |
Atkin, Bill John | 11 January 2007 | Serious Misconduct | Teacher failed to comply with condition imposed by Panel. Teacher suffering from depression – did not seek treatment from psychologist as required. The Panel was satisfied that Mr Atkin fulfilled the conditions of the determination and the conditions on his registration were lifted on 27 June 2007. |
Watts, John Adrian | 13 December 2006 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate relationship with student that commenced in 1980 and continued for many years. For the last 25 years teacher had successful, unblemished career – a highly respected teacher. |
Robinson, Grant Kenneth | 2 November 2006 | Serious Misconduct | Medical certificate fraud – found guilty of indictable offences. Teacher demonstrated understanding and commitment to maintain proper standards as a member of the teaching profession. |
Eyre, George Frederick | 19 September 2006 | Serious Misconduct | Charge of indecent assault against a child dismissed by Magistrate – teacher took a 14-year-old child for a drive in his van – frightened the girl. Teacher did not understand the implications of his actions – substantial departure from the standards of the teaching profession. |
O'Hara, Michael | 1 September 2006 | Fitness to Teach | Convicted of an indictable offence – conviction affects the teacher's professional standing – teacher failed to show integrity and honesty. The teacher failed to attend the hearing. The teacher applied for a review of the VIT Hearing Panel's decision to the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal ('VCAT'). In a decision handed down on 13 September 2007, the VCAT affirmed the decision to cancel the teacher's registration due to his lack of fitness to teach. View a copy of VCAT's decision |
Porqueddu, Alexander | 30 August 2006 | Serious Misconduct | Grooming and inappropriate relationship with a Year 12 student. Teacher had received advice and counselling and persisted with his behaviour – persistent and sustained conduct – betrayal of student's trust. Teacher failed to attend the hearing. |
Henderson, Gregory Ronald | 19 July 2006 | Serious Misconduct | Teacher's conduct of concern in three schools – inappropriate conversations of a sexual nature with students and inappropriate material of a sexual nature used in classroom. The teacher misrepresented his qualifications to the schools. |
BQ | 7 July 2006 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate communications with two students – emails and MSN conversations with sexual connotations - teacher admitted allegations. |
Buhagiar, Paul | 24 May 2006 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate physical contact with students and inappropriate comments to students – students avoided contact with the teacher. Teacher lacked personal and professional insight. The Panel was satisfied that Mr Buhagiar fulfilled the conditions of the determination and the conditions on his registration were lifted on 1 December 2006. |
Snow, Stephen John | 17 May 2006 | Serious Incompetence | Teacher did not have adequate teaching, communication or organisational skills. Teacher provided with extensive support over six years – failed to improve – performance a serious departure from accepted standards. |
Moran, Peter John | 21 March 2006 | Serious Misconduct | The teacher applied for a review of the VIT Hearing Panel's decision to the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal ('VCAT'). The Panel's decision (PDF, 88.33 KB) included a finding of serious misconduct and a determination to cancel the teacher's registration. In a decision handed down on 31 July 2007, the VCAT found the teacher had been seriously incompetent. It ordered that the decision of the Panel dated 21 March 2006 be set aside and the teacher's registration be suspended until 1 January 2008. As a condition of this order, the teacher must attend, at his own cost, such courses on professional development and student discipline as are nominated by the VIT. View a copy of VCAT's decision |
PJB | 13 March 2006 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate comments to students – lack of insight into effect of behaviour and comments on students. |
Campbell, Belinda | 24 January 2006 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate relationship with student – socialising – text messaging and telephone contact - some insight shown by teacher. The Panel was satisfied that Ms Campbell fulfilled the conditions of the determination and the suspension of her registration was lifted on 7 March 2007. |
Atkin, Bill John | 23 December 2005 | Fitness to Teach | Convicted indictable offence theft – theft from club attached to school – made restitution – depression – receiving treatment – gambling problem – insight and remorse. |
Jackson, Michael Alexander | 18 November 2005 | Serious Misconduct | Communication with 15-year-old female in chat room – student at another school – student stayed overnight without parent's permission – inappropriate relationship – breach of trust – exploitation of position as a teacher. Decision (PDF, 82.05 KB) The Panel was satisfied that Mr Jackson fulfilled the conditions of the determination and the suspension of his registration was lifted on 16 March 2006. |
AK | 17 October 2005 | Serious Misconduct | Related to events more than 20 years ago – sexual relationship after student left school. At school, teacher made comments about student's appearance, wrote affectionate, had lunch with student – no evidence that teacher had groomed student while at school. |
Fairley, Grant Adrian | 16 September 2005 | Fitness to Teach | Convicted of an indictable offence – term of imprisonment – breach of professional standards – mitigating factors. Teacher demonstrated shame, remorse and insight into seriousness of conduct. |
Brookel, Jennifer Christine | 1 September 2005 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate comment to student with an intellectual disability – allowing students to swear – holding out of school function with students without Principal's permission – new teacher transgressed professional standards. |
Misell, David | 24 August 2005 | Fitness to Teach | Convicted of indictable offence of soliciting secret commission – teacher received money from student for higher marks – breach of professional standards – not of good character – lack of insight and limited remorse. |
LKT | 20 July 2005 | Fitness to Teach | Guilty of an indictable offence – theft from school – bipolar illness – receiving treatment – gambling problem – insight and remorse. |
Curov, Edward Zinovy | 15 July 2005 | Serious Misconduct | Sexual relationship with student – numerous telephone calls – inappropriate comments in classroom – betrayal of vulnerable student – exploitation of position of power. |
Norman, Stuart James | 6 July 2005 | Serious Misconduct | Comments of personal and sexual nature to students – contact with students in chat rooms – touching female students – abuse of trust of school community – abuse of power over students. |
Papageorgiou, Peter | 26 May 2005 | Serious Misconduct | Guilty of indictable offence – theft from school – lack of insight into seriousness of offence – superficial remorse. |
Brown, Glynn | 28 April 2005 | Serious Incompetence | Classroom management and discipline issues – curriculum planning and preparation – failed to follow VCE guidelines. Inexperienced teacher – failed to take advantage of support offered – lacked insight into problems with professional practice. |
JS | 12 April 2005 | Serious Misconduct | Guilty of indictable offence – cultivate, possess, use marijuana. Mitigating factors – treatment, insight and remorse. |
Zineder, Suzanne | 9 March 2005 | Serious Misconduct | Convicted of indictable offence – theft from education organisation – gambling problem – received treatment. In a position of trust and a substantial departure from acceptable standards. |
AED | 3 March 2005 | Fitness to Teach | Guilty of indictable offences – drug and property offences – receiving treatment – insight and remorse. |
PAL | 24 February 2005 | Fitness to Teach | Guilty of indictable offence – stalking – depression – receiving treatment – insight and remorse. |
RAM | 22 February 2005 | Serious Incompetence | Inexperienced teacher – ill health – resigned from the Victorian Institute of Teaching – incompetence caused by ill health. |
GS | 11 February 2005 | Serious Misconduct | Teacher touched female student and made ambiguous comments to students – professional boundaries. Lack of insight – inappropriate professional conduct. |
Alleri, Michelle Ines | 21 January 2005 | Serious Misconduct | Sexual relationship with student – text message and phone calls to student – professional boundaries – transgress professional standards. |
Nash, Katherine Laura | 24 December 2004 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate relationship with student – telephone, MSN, email messages to student – birthday present for student – breach of trust, abuse of power – no insight. |
GJI | 24 December 2004 | Fitness to Teach | Findings of guilt and convictions for indictable offences stalking – breach order – depression – insight and remorse. |
Davidson, Anthony William | 27 October 2004 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate relationship with student – serious misconduct - suspension from teaching until 1 January 2008 - Decision of the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) overturning an earlier decision of a VIT Hearing Panel to cancel the teacher’s registration. View a copy of VCAT's decision handed down on 30 May 2007. The Hearing Panel's decision dated 27 October 2004 can be viewed here as a PDF link (PDF, 96.52 KB) however this decision of the Hearing Panel was set aside by, VCAT and has no effect. |
Ingram, Chad | 25 October 2004 | Serious Misconduct | Guilty of medical certificate fraud – teacher demonstrated insight and remorse. |
AC | 12 October 2004 | Fitness to Teach | Guilty of indictable offences of obtaining a financial advantage by deception – medical certificate fraud – mitigating factors. Teacher demonstrated insight and remorse. |
DAA | 5 October 2004 | Serious Misconduct | Sexual comment in email to brother – suffering depressive condition at the time. Teacher demonstrated remorse – no danger to students. |
SR | 25 August 2004 | Fitness to Teach | Convicted of indictable offence of stalking – conduct not connected to his professional conduct. Teacher demonstrated insight and remorse |
Williams, Adrian Murray | 3 June 2004 | Serious Misconduct | Teacher made sexual comments to students – touching female students – sexual harassment of female student – bringing profession into disrepute – betrayal of students' trust. |
Boxer, Marc Raymond | 9 May 2005 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate relationship with student – sexual comments in emails to student – professional boundaries – serious transgression of standards. |
Walsh, James Patrick | 17 February 2004 | Serious Misconduct | Inappropriate relationship with student – student stayed with teacher without parent's permission. Lack of understanding of professional boundaries – abuse of trust and power – disregard for legal and moral obligations. |