Improper acts admitted
Teacher struck off after admitting kissing, fondling pupil
A South Canterbury teacher who kissed and fondled a student from a school he taught at has had his registration cancelled.
The teacher, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found to have committed serious misconduct in connection to a relationship with a year 13 student last year. The Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal found him guilty of misconduct, including sexual intimacy with a student at his school.
The offence qualified for censure, cancellation of registration and half of the complainant’s costs being paid for by the defendant.
By the middle of September last year the teacher had begun the inappropriate relationship with the student.
The first instance presented to the tribunal was when he held her by the shoulders and rested his chin on her head, after it was decided she would stay overnight at his house to babysit when his wife was away.
Less than a week later, students saw him kissing her in a classroom.
Three days later, on the Sunday morning after she had stayed the night and babysat for the teacher and his wife, he kissed her in the room she had slept in.
He then hugged her outside the bedroom and drove her to a friend’s house.
During the car journey, the teacher pulled the car to the side of the road and kissed the student for approximately five to 10 minutes and fondled her breasts under her clothing.
Two days later he sent her a text message that read:
‘‘We can’t have any more contact until after you’ve left school. I love you so much . . . I’m so sorry this has happened.
‘‘I go in front of the board soon. I’m going to deny telling you I wanted to make love to you. I can’t save my job but I might save my career . . .
‘‘Be well. None of this is your fault. Concentrate on your exams, my darling.’’
The school’s Board of Trustees bought the teacher before the tribunal. The proceedings were heard in March this year.
Before the tribunal, the teacher admitted all the charges presented against him, and that his behaviour constituted serious misconduct.
He agreed with the Board of Trustees the appropriate outcome of the hearing was cancelling his registration, censuring and a partial payment of costs.