St Ives High School teacher not returning to class after attending Sydney lockdown rally
Parents of a north shore high school say there has been “huge concern” in the community after a teacher was identified via video footage attending Sydney’s anti-lockdown rally.
North Shore
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A north shore teacher who joined protesters at Sydney’s high profile anti-lockdown rally will not be back in the classroom when students return to the campus later this year.
The Department of Education has confirmed the St Ives High School teacher is no longer employed by the department after attending the July protest in the CBD.
More than 3500 people attended the protest against the state’s orders – leading police vowing to track down as many of those involved as possible.
The teacher’s attendance at the event was aired at a recent school P&C meeting with parents questioning whether the staff member would continue to teach at the 1112-student campus.
The school’s principal Mark Watson referred the matter to the department and Crime Stoppers for investigation after the teacher was identified from video footage.
Mr Watson was also asked if disciplinary action would be taken after reports a staff member of the King’s School in Parramatta was suspended for attending the same event.
“A principal doesn’t have the power to fire a teacher. I reported it to the department and an investigation is underway,” Mr Watson said.
“That teacher wasn’t at school at the end of last term (and) they won’t be back at school when Year 12 returns.
“There is no risk to students or staff from this person.”
The Department of Education did not respond to questions about whether attending the rally was a breach of employment rules.
A spokesman said: “The individual is no longer employed by the department. As such, we are unable to comment further.”
A parent of the school, who asked not to be named, said the parents had been concerned about whether the teacher would return to campus when in-person learning is due to resume later this year.
“When it bubbled up at the time it was a huge topic of concern for the school community and it remains so,” the parent said.
“I don’t think it sends the right message to students.”
The NSW Teachers Federation declined to comment.
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