Lumen Christi Catholic College teacher reinstated after losing job over canoe trip rescue
A popular physical education teacher who was fired after a school canoeing trip turned into a rescue operation has won his job back after the Fair Work Commission found he had been unjustly blamed because the students disobeyed his instructions.
NSW
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A popular physical education teacher who was fired after a school canoeing trip turned into a rescue operation has won his job back.
Lumen Christi Catholic College in Pambula on the state’s far south coast sacked PE teacher Michael Crowley after students had to be rescued and one was hospitalised after their boats overturned in rough surf.
But the Fair Work Commission last week found he had been unjustly blamed for the incident because the nine students had disobeyed his instructions and paddled from the mouth of the Pambula River towards the ocean to try and catch waves.
On Monday the school said they would not appeal the decision and Mr Crowley could have his job back.
“I confirm that there will be no appeal of the decision and that Mr Crowley will be reinstated in accordance with the orders made by the Fair Work Commission,” a spokeswoman for the Archdiocese said.
The commission said Mr Crowley helped save 13 students caught in a rip in the 1.8m swell.
“It was at this point that he saw the first of the kayaks capsize. Mr Crowley then shouted to the class and (another teacher) Get on the sand, I have to go”. He then paddled into the wave area towards the capsized kayak to assist,” its decision said.
Mr Crowley’s own boat also overturned in the waves when he went to help them. With assistance of a trainee teacher and a member of the public, all the students were brought to shore.
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One student was hospitalised because of suspected hypothermia but was later released.
After the November 2017 incident, the Archdiocese dismissed Mr Crowley, saying he recklessly led the students into a wave or current area that was dangerous and it was his third warning and final from the school.
The previous warnings for unrelated matters. He successfully appealed the decision in July last year and the school was told to reinstate him. The archdiocese challenged that decision but was found to be unsuccessful last month.
In the latest appeal, the commission said the incident “was caused by the disobedience of students in not following Mr Crowley but rather moving into the wave zone in order to catch waves”.
After he was fired, students at the school started a Change.org petition to have him reinstated which was signed by 878 people.
“This teacher was one of my son’s favourite teachers when at Lumen. I cannot understand why he has lost his job,” one parent wrote.