Former Kardinia International College student alleges abuse by teacher

Another former Kardinia International College student has launched legal action, alleging he was groomed, sexually assaulted and abused by a teacher while in year 8.

This former student was allegedly groomed and abused by a teacher at Kardinia International College. Picture: David Smith

A former Kardinia International College student has launched legal action, alleging he was groomed, sexually assaulted and abused by a teacher while in year 8.

Arnold, Thomas and Becker Lawyers are representing the former student – who the Geelong Advertiser has chosen not to name – and have issued a writ in the Supreme Court seeking damages from the school.

It is also alleged the school covered up the teacher’s conduct, attributing his sudden departure to ill health.

The former student alleges the teacher, Nicholas Frampton, engaged in conversations outside of school hours through MSN messenger over a period of at least six months in 2004.

It’s alleged Mr Frampton also spoke to the student about these conversations at the school.

The student claims Mr Frampton sent messages stating he wanted to “hook up” with him, asked about his underwear, if the student would like to perform oral sex and how regularly he masturbated.

Mr Frampton also allegedly gave the student pornographic material on CDs and is accused of touching his bottom on school grounds on at least two occasions.

The student claims he told a school prefect about Mr Frampton’s alleged behaviour, who then reported the matter to the school.

It’s alleged the student was taken out of his classroom for questioning in front of his peers, with Mr Frampton was interviewed by the same leader shortly afterwards.

According to the writ, Mr Frampton’s “sudden departure” – after the student’s complaint – was attributed as being due to “ill health” in a piece in the school newsletter.

The student claims he was blamed by his peers for the teacher leaving and faced ongoing bullying. He claims that he was not offered counselling or debriefing by the school.

It’s also alleged the school did not adequately investigate the teacher’s conduct following the claims and did not refer the teacher to appropriate authorities, either at all or in a timely fashion.

The school is also accused of taking “no steps” to stop Mr Frampton from teaching at other schools “where he was then able to sexually abuse further students”.

The former student said he decided to come forward about his experiences following reports in the Geelong Advertiser alleging other students were groomed by a different teacher at the school.

“I knew that I’d sort of been wronged, but I’d kind of just ignored it and moved on,” the student said.

“(After reading the other article) I just realised how wronged I’d been and how it has had a longstanding impact on my life.”

The student said the alleged abuse had left him guarded and weary.

“It has had a monumental impact and it was only in recent years that I’ve actually started to seek help.

“I’ve never been in a relationship and I felt like that has had a huge thing to do with it.”

The student said he wanted the school to be held accountable and for other victims to feel confidence in coming forward.

A Kardinia International College spokeswoman said: “As the matter is before the courts, it would not be appropriate for the college to comment publicly on the details of any forthcoming legal claim”.

She said the teacher at the centre of allegations had not been employed by the school for nearly two decades.

“Kardinia International College condemns abuse in all forms and does not tolerate any behaviours that jeopardise student safety (including child abuse and reportable conduct),” she said.

Originally published as Former Kardinia International College student alleges abuse by teacher