St Gregory’s College respond to conviction of former teacher Michael Peter McGuiggan
One of Sydney’s most renowned all-boys schools has responded to the criminal conviction of a former teacher who stole a student’s medication — commonly used to treat ADHD. The principal has also outlined how the college will ‘ensure that nothing like this happens again’.
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St Gregory’s College, one of Sydney’s most renowned all-boys schools, has responded to the conviction of a former staff member for stealing a HSC student’s prescription medication from a locked safe.
Former agriculture teacher Michael Peter McGuiggan, 33, was sentenced on Monday to an 18-month good behaviour bond after admitting to stealing Ritalin pills on three occasions in June and July last year. The medication is commonly used to treat ADHD.
St Gregory’s College principal Lee MacMaster told the Macarthur Chronicle he was “certainly not happy” about the situation.
“We care about our community and our students,” he said. “We certainly moved quickly in the first instance to stand down that particular teacher (McGuiggan) at the time, who later resigned.
“We have moved very swiftly to ensure that nothing like this happens again.”
Mr Macmaster said new practices for the storage of students’ prescription medication had been established since the incident.
The principal also said the student whose medication was repeatedly targeted by McGuiggan received extra support during the ordeal, with the college in frequent communication with his family.
Campbelltown Local Court heard on Monday that McGuiggan, a 33-year-old father, had lost his “dream job” as a result of his actions and his teaching career was all but destroyed.
The college, in a statement to parents, teachers, carers and students, said “the safety of our college community is the highest priority and the actions we took immediately upon becoming
aware of this issue reflect that priority”.
“We have co-operated fully throughout the investigation and would like to thank the NSW Police for their assistance and diligence throughout.”