St Kevin’s teacher accused of storing pornography on his school computer learns Fair Work Commission decision

A teacher accused of sexual misconduct involving a student and storing pornography on his school computer has found out whether he can be reinstated at St Kevin’s.

Former VCE maths and drama teacher Simon Parris was sacked in February 2020.

Leading Toorak boys’ school St Kevin’s College will not reinstate or compensate a senior teacher for sexual misconduct involving a student.

Maths and drama teacher Simon Parris sought repayment of lost income and his job back, but this was denied by the Fair Work Commission on Wednesday.

Commissioner Tim Lee noted that there were valid reasons for the dismissal of Mr Parris, who admitted to initiating hugs of students, sending a tweet about wet dreams and storing “hard core gay pornography” on his school computer.

But the school’s handling of the case has come under the spotlight following evidence former St Kevin’s principal Stephen Russell provided Mr Parris with a “generally positive” character reference in 2019 even after his sexual misconduct came to light

Mr Parris’ lawyer indicated he is likely to lodge an appeal of the Judgement.

The reference was submitted to the Victorian Institute of Teachers and noted Mr Parris was generous with his time and commitment to tutoring students, was an “effective and sensible” pastoral leader and had shown insight into his sexual misconduct.

Mr Russell resigned in February 2020 after he was found to have also offered a character reference for athletics coach Peter Kehoe when he was facing child sex abuse charges.

Commissioner Lee noted that Mr Parris was warned rather than dismissed by the school in the aftermath of the sexual misconduct and that school leaders failed to follow disciplinary process. He said these factors weighed towards viewing his dismissal as unfair.

However, he concluded that the termination of Mr Parris “was not harsh, unjust, or unreasonable”.

He said Mr Parris had “crossed the line in terms of his behaviour of hugging and touching boys on more than one occasion” and lacked insight into the gravity of his behaviour.

Luke Connolly of Connolly Workplace Law said his client Mr Parris was “very disappointed with the result and we will be carefully reviewing the decision for what will likely be an appeal to the Full Bench”.

Edmund Rice Education Australia, on behalf of St Kevin’s College, welcomed the decision. “In the Fair Work Commission hearings, EREA and the college strongly defended the dismissal of Mr Parris and is pleased that the decision has now been vindicated. Care for the welfare of our students, their families and our staff will always be at the centre of all our decisions,” the statement said.

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