Former St Michael's Collegiate Teacher in Hobart Admits Having Sex with Student in 1990s

By Edith Bevin
ABC News
March 16, 2017

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-16/hobart-private-school-teacher-admits-child-sex-student-1990s/8361212

Another former teacher at an elite girls' school in Hobart, St Michael's Collegiate School, has admitted having sex with a student.

It is the second time the Anglican-run school has had a teacher charged with similar offences.

The now 56-year-old man, who cannot be named, was charged a month ago and has pleaded guilty to maintaining a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student for nine months in the 1990s.

In an email to former students, current principal Judith Tudball said she understood the school community could be upset by the revelation.

"It is my sad and disappointing duty to inform you that I have been notified by Tasmania Police that a former member of the St Michael's Collegiate School staff has been charged in relation to an allegation of conducting a relationship with a minor," she said.

"Although the alleged events occurred a long time ago, we understand that this information could be upsetting for the Collegiate community."

Mrs Tudball said the school had fully co-operated with the investigation.

"[We] have reached out to the former student through Tasmania Police to offer our support," she said.

"We commend the former student for her courage in coming forward to report this matter."

Mrs Tudball said school's leadership team had met to ensure support was in place for staff, students and members of the wider school community, both current and former.

In a formal farewell to the teacher in the 1990s, the school publicly thanked him and noted he was a trusted mentor to the girls.

The school wished him well in the future and the man went on to work as a teacher interstate.

He is still registered to teach in two states.

He will be sentenced in May.

The case comes as Tasmania's Anglican Bishop prepares to face the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse on Monday about the role of the church in daily school life.