St Kevin’s College teacher ‘denies’ sexually touching teenagers

A former teacher at a prestigious Melbourne private school is charged with sexually touching teens under his care, but his lawyer says it never happened.

A former teacher at a prestigious Melbourne private school denies sexually touching teenagers under his care.

Michael Junkovic on Friday appeared briefly in the Melbourne Magistrates Court where his lawyer Tim Schocker said he would be pleading not guilty.

The 41-year-old is facing two charges of sexually touching a child aged under 16 who was in his care, supervision or authority.

Police allege the sexual touching occurred between February and June 2017, and July and December 2017.

Mr Junkovic’s lawyer will argue it didn’t happen.

“It is a straight factual dispute,” Mr Schocker said.

“My client denies having committed the conduct alleged.”

St Kevin’s College principal Deborah Barker wrote to parents and carers on Wednesday afternoon that the teacher had been formally charged over alleged conduct during his employment at the school.

Mr Junkovic was a St Kevin’s staff member between 2014 and 2018, with his most recent employment being at Carey Grammar, another prestigious private school in Melbourne.

The Victorian Institute of Teaching lists that his teaching registration was suspended on December 29 last year.

“Yesterday afternoon, I was informed that Mr Junkovic had formally been charged with criminal offences in relation to his alleged conduct with a student during his employment at St Kevin’s College,” Ms Barker told parents on Wednesday.

“In February 2020 a matter concerning Mr Junkovic was reported to the college, and in keeping with our policies, the college immediately informed the Victorian police, the commissioner for children and young people, as well as the principal of Carey Grammar, Mr Junkovic’s most recent workplace.”

Ms Barker told parents that support for students was available and the school was being “proactive and transparent” as it continued working on “addressing these issues”.

“We are on a journey as a school community, which we will continue, as we address these issues and work to keep our students safe,” she said.

The previous headmaster of St Kevin’s, Stephen Russell, was forced to resign in February last year after Four Corners revealed he provided a court reference for a former school sports coach who had been convicted of grooming a student.

Mr Junkovic will next appear in court for a contested hearing on September 13.

Originally published as St Kevin’s College teacher ‘denies’ sexually touching teenagers