Top private school teacher stood down after claims of offensive joke

A male teacher at one of Sydney’s top private schools is under investigation by NSW Police and child protection authorities after he allegedly made an offensive joke to two female cadets in his care.

Pictured is Waverley College. Picture: Jeremy Piper

A male teacher at one of Sydney’s top private schools is under investigation by NSW Police and child protection authorities after he allegedly made an offensive joke to two female cadets in his care.

The Waverley College staff member has been stood down while a “full and robust” probe is carried out into disturbing comments he allegedly made during a cadet camp at Holsworthy Army base last month.

The teacher was on a five-day joint camp with several hundred students from Waverley and neighbouring school St Catherine’s, when he allegedly made an offensive joke to two cadets, while they were camping in the bush.

A spokesman for St Catherine’s said the students involved reacted calmly and reported the incident to senior staff, who immediately sent the male teacher home from camp.

“St Catherine’s has been in contact with Waverley College who we understand have engaged appropriate authorities after a Waverley teacher made an offensive remark in front of some students’ at the recent cadet camp,” the St Catherine’s spokesman said.

“Our students were offered care and support; while recognising the remark was inappropriate, students were calm and settled and we are proud of how they have conducted themselves. We have spoken with the parents concerned”.

Waverley College said the staff member, who has been employed at the school for many years, is not currently teaching and is not on campus while the school and authorities treat the allegations with “utmost seriousness”.

“To enable a fulsome and robust investigation to be completed, and for the wellbeing of all involved, the staff member is not teaching and is not on campus,” a Waverley College spokesman said.

“As soon as this was brought to our attention, an independent investigation was commenced and all reporting obligations were immediately fulfilled, including to update the Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) and to report the matter to NSW Police.”

The teacher at Waverley College is being investigated by NSW Police and child protection authorities. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“We understand that people would want more details, and we appreciate that there will be unanswered questions at this stage. However, it would be premature and not appropriate to comment on an active investigation.

“Waverley College has high expectations for professional conduct, and this situation is being treated with the utmost seriousness,” the college spokesman said.

Several parents whose children were part of the camp said they were made aware of the alleged incident by both their school, and their kids who were talking about what allegedly occurred.

“We send our kids on camp, you don’t expect these things will happen, particularly by someone entrusted to look after them,” one parent said.

Another parent praised both schools for acting “swiftly” to report the incident to police.

According to the Waverley College website, the the cadet program, in partnership with St Catherine’s, teaches students the value of collaboration, teamwork and leadership “as they work together in service to the (cadet) unit, participating in a dynamic and unique outdoor educational program”.

Police confirmed an incident was reported to officers from Eastern Beaches for investigation.

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Originally published as Top private school teacher stood down after claims of offensive joke