AUSTRALIA
news.com.au
THE chairman of Hobart’s exclusive Hutchins School has written to former students asking them to refer media inquries about child sex allegations back to the school.
David Morris sent an email to old boys of the school, which was passed on to the Mercury.
It concludes: “The School now has comprehensive policies and procedures to deal with such matters.
“If you have any further queries or if you are contacted by media, please direct them to the Headmaster’s office.”
The email referred to allegations of sexual assault against a former headmaster of school which will be examined at a public hearing of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse next month.
The 1960s allegations against the late David Lawrence and former teacher Lyndon Hickman (1942-49 and 1964-65) were known to the all-male boarding school.
Mr Lawrence (1960-70) resigned as headmaster amid a scandal involving a relationship with a former student.
It is understood allegations were made to the commission at recent private hearings.
Mr Morris and Anglican Bishop John Harrower said the school and the Diocese would co-operate fully with the royal commission.
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