Kings Schoolteacher who marched in lockdown protest returns to classroom

A Kings School teacher who was suspended for attending an anti-lockdown rally in Sydney will return to the classroom after a brief suspension.

A private school teacher who boasted on social media about attending the Sydney lockdown protests and was referred to police by his employers will return to the classroom after a brief suspension.

The male teacher from the prestigious Kings School was handed a penalty infringement notice by police after joining thousands of protesters last month in violation of public health orders.

Headmaster Tony George told parents on Friday that the teacher would be back at work on Monday after a “school investigation”.

“The teacher expressed regret in attending the rally and on the impact his actions have had on his students, his colleagues and the wider King’s community,” Mr George wrote in an internal email.

“It is evident that the teacher has learned a great deal from this incident and is now especially mindful of the responsibility that he holds as a teacher to be a positive role model to his students.”

The King's School at North Parramatta suspended the teacher after he marched in the illegal lockdown protest. Picture: AAP

Following the July 24 protest, the teacher had said the rally was “positive, peaceful and inspiring” in a social media post that was seen by students before being taken down.

“This is me standing up for what I believe in rather than being a keyboard warrior, a pacifist, or worse, a coward in my own mind….” he wrote.

“I do not believe in living in fear. I do not believe the propaganda. I do not believe in unjust house arrest.

“I stand for all students.”

The Kings School in Parramatta is Australia’s oldest independent school and charges more than $40,000 tuition to its all-male students.

Thousands of people marched in the anti-lockdown rally in Sydney on July 24 as the Delta outbreak worsened. picture: Matrix News

Police from Strike Force Seasoned have issued penalty infringement notices as well as charged more than 50 people with offences ranging from animal cruelty to breaching public health order and on Friday released a series of images of rally attendees they were still seeking to speak to.

The school said there would be no further comment on the matter.

Mr George told the school community in the email that he was “satisfied that the teacher’s conduct presents no ongoing safety concerns, and he retains my confidence”.

“The teacher is a passionate and thoughtful educator, and I am confident that this experience will contribute to his growth as an educator and a leader,” Mr George wrote.

”On that basis, and consistent with the Police decision to take no further action, the teacher’s suspension has been lifted and he will return to classroom duties from Monday 9 August.”