More than 700 teachers under investigation over misconduct claims More than 700 Victorian teachers are being investigated by the state’s teacher watchdog over alleged misconduct and 10 teachers were disqualified in the 12 months to June after being found guilty of sexual offences involving children. A further 19 teachers were suspended from practising in that period as they are under investigation, either for alleged sexual offences, or due to mental health impairment or drug and alcohol addiction. The Victorian Institute of Teaching said in its annual report that the number of professional conduct matters it dealt with had soared exponentially this year, as community expectations about child safety had ... According to the institute's register of disciplinary action, teachers disqualified in 2018-19 include: [*]Former Bendigo teacher Ryan Edwards, who was found guilty in April of using a carriage service to transmit indecent messages to girls aged under 16; [*]Former Sunshine teacher Richard Grabski, convicted in July of indecently assaulting children under his care. Those suspended by the institute in the 12 months to June include: [*]Timothy Baker, a former teacher at Bayside Christian College in Langwarrin, who was charged in September child sexual assault and grooming. He will face court in March. [*]Rebecca Lee Attard, a former teacher at Manor Lakes P-12 who was arrested after being found in possession of ice while visiting the Metropolitan Remand Centre in Ravenhall last year. Her case is due for a court mention in November. [*]Former Kurnai College teacher Steven Grant Dockley, who was charged in July 2018 with allegedly using Snapchat to stalk a female student aged under 16. [*]James Treasure, a primary school teacher arrested last year while holidaying in Queensland, for possessing child exploitation material; [*]Kathryn Woods, disqualified after being found guilty in court last year of indecent assault and gross indecency to a child under 16. Ms Woods appeared in court on Thursday as part of her appeal. Continue reading... https://www.smh.com.au/politics/vic...n-over-misconduct-claims-20191017-p531qe.html
