Ex-St Kevin’s staffer under investigation after historic allegations
Police are investigating historic allegations against a former longtime St Kevin’s College staff member, who is now employed by another prominent Catholic school in Melbourne’s southeast.
VIC News
Don't miss out on the headlines from VIC News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Police are investigating historic allegations against another former St Kevin’s College staff member who is currently employed at another leading Catholic school, Mazenod College.
Former Christian Brother Peter Finnigan is under investigation following allegations dating back ten to 15 years to his time at St Kevin’s College, where he worked until 2014.
The allegations were referred to police by Liana Buchanan, Commissioner of Children and Young People.
Mr Finnigan is head of junior school at Mazenod College, but is now on leave pending the investigation outcome.
The Herald Sun is not suggesting the investigation is related to the allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct.
Mazenod College principal Tony Coghlan said his school has also arranged for an independent investigation to address the historic allegations.
“The College is unable to provide any details of the independent investigation so as to ensure the authenticity of the process,” he said.
The revelation comes as embattled St Kevin’s College heads asked parents today not to “prejudge the outcomes” of other serious child abuse and staff misconduct investigations.
In a letter to parents, St Kevin’s acting head John Crowley and head of the school’s board Paul O’Malley, confirmed they are investigating misconduct allegations “in the areas of child safety and human resources”.
They reassured parents their “important focus is student safety and wellbeing”.
The letter confirmed the college and its governing body, Edmund Rice Education Australia, “are working with regulatory and law enforcement authorities where applicable to respond to some allegations”. But it did not offer any details.
The latest development comes amid intense scrutiny of the school’s handling of child abuse allegations and support for former athletics coach Peter Kehoe while he was on trial for grooming a child under the age of 16.
It follows the departure of five senior staff members from St Kevin’s College in recent weeks in controversial circumstances: principal Stephen Russell, deputy principal Janet Canny, head of studies and English VCE teacher Gary Jones, and drama and VCE maths teacher Simon Parris. The head of swimming Gene Jackson has also been stood down.
The letter to parents said the college has “commenced a detailed process of investigating and responding to matters relating to alleged misconduct by past and present employees at the College”.
“Immediately investigating and responding to any allegation regarding child safety is a critical part of evolving the College’s culture and building a safer and more supportive learning environment,” it says.
“We must also ensure our College provides clear guidance for all of our staff so that there can be no confusion about professional boundaries between staff and students.”
Both staff and students have been given training into the school’s code of conduct, which stresses the need for only professional, not personal, contact between staff and students.
MORE NEWS
INSIDE THE ST KEVIN’S GROOMING SCANDAL
ST KEVIN’S COLLEGE STANDS DOWN HEAD OF SWIMMING