King’s Baptist Grammar School principal Don Grimmett serves 12-week suspension for failing to detect the sexual abuse of student by a teacher at his last job

A prominent private school principal has been suspended by the Teachers Registration Board for failing to detect the sexual abuse of a student by a teacher in his last role.

A prominent private school principal who failed to detect the sexual abuse of a student by a teacher, has been suspended by the Teachers Registration Board (TRB).

Wynn Vale’s King’s Baptist Grammar School principal Don Grimmett is currently serving a 12-week suspension after accepting he should have suspected the sexual abuse by the teacher, which occurred during his employment at another high school.

In a letter obtained by The Advertiser, King’s Baptist Grammar School Board chairman Paul Drury wrote to parents to inform them of the matter.

“Several years ago, at another school at which Mr Don Grimmett was principal, a matter arose that resulted in the conviction of a teacher for engaging in sexual activity with a student,” he wrote.

“The student reported it to police, after which the teacher was charged and pleaded guilty.

“Separately, the student raised the issue with the TRB that the involved school’s then leadership team, which included Mr Grimmett as principal, should have detected the matter.”

A complaint, filed by the registrar on November 2021, alleged that Mr Grimmett failed to make mandatory notifications to the Child Abuse Report Line (CARL) contrary to the Children’s Protection Act 1993.

It alleged three reports were made to him by staff and a parent in July and August 2016 concerning a teacher employed at the same school and in respect of observed conduct with a female student.

A sub-committee of the TRB was satisfied, after admissions by Mr Grimmett, that he had engaged in unprofessional conduct by failing to make three mandatory reports to the CARL.

In the school’s letter, Mr Drury stated that Mr Grimmett confirmed that “in hindsight” he should have formed a suspicion of risk in the teacher’s behaviour toward the student.

“The TRB accepted Mr Grimmett’s account of how and why he did not form a suspicion of risk and his subsequent remorse,” the letter continued.

King's Baptist Grammar School principal Don Grimmett has been suspended for 12 weeks after he failed to detect a relationship involving a teacher and a student several years ago.

Letter from King's Baptist Grammar School to parents of students.

The TRB imposed a 12-week suspension on Mr Grimmett’s teacher registration on April 28 this year.

He will not be able to return until he can show evidence of the completion of a regarded ethics course including one-on-one counselling and review of his conduct in failing to notify CARL on three occasions.

“The School Board and leadership team respects and upholds the findings of the TRB,” Mr Drury wrote.

Describing Mr Grimmett as a “leader of integrity and honesty” Mr Drury advised parents that he still had the Board’s “full support and complete confidence”.

“Mr Grimmett has an outstanding record of leadership and teaching in Christian schools over many decades,” the letter continued.

“Please join the School Board in giving Mr Grimmett your support and understanding.”

King’s Baptist Grammar School was contacted for comment, but refused to add anything further.