Former Primary School acting principal Nathan Murphy among eight educators suspended

A former acting primary school principal facing child sex charges in the Magistrates’ Court is among eight educators facing enforcement action from Victoria’s teaching regulator.

Eight educators and school leaders are facing enforcement action so far in May. Picture: Supplied

A former acting primary school principal facing child sex charges in the Magistrates’ Court is among eight educators facing enforcement action from the teaching regulator this month.

Five teachers have been placed on interim suspension by the Victorian Institute of Teaching and three have been suspended since the start of May.

Those on interim suspension include Nathan Murphy, a former acting principal and teacher at Cobden Primary School.

Mr Murphy has been charged by Victoria Police’s sexual offences and child abuse unit with charges relating to sexual penetration of a minor.

The allegation does not relate to Mr Murphy’s time at the school.

He is due to appear in the Warrnambool Magistrates’ Court in August.

He has not worked at Cobden Primary School since January 2023.

Mr Murphy’s lawyer Kiernan Celestina from Bellman Legal said his client maintained his innocence and would be pleading not guilty.

The teachers have been suspended and can’t go into the classroom.

In matters unrelated to the child sex charge, another teacher facing interim suspension is Andrew Batterham, along with Vincent Hedger.

Mr Hedger was formerly employed at Parade College.

Another teacher facing interim suspension is Scott Ross, who worked at White Hills Primary School until August 2023. The suspension of his registration by the VIT is due to an ongoing independent investigation. Jacquelin Leavey, who is only on a provisional registration, was also placed on interim suspension this month.

A Department of Education spokeswoman said the “safety and wellbeing of students is our highest priority, and we take allegations of concerning or inappropriate behaviour by teachers seriously, including assisting with police investigations where required.”

“We have strong protocols in place regarding Child Safety Standards, including clear rules around appropriate teacher and student conduct, and mandatory action is taken when allegations of abuse or inappropriate behaviour require investigation.”

Also this month, Ballarat teacher Troy Beggs was suspended by the schools’ regulator on May 9 after being stripped of his driving licence after being caught driving seven times over the legal limit. Beggs, a maths and science teacher at Ballarat High School, was “stressed” and on a downward spiral after having a WorkCover claim rejected when he made the decision to drive in June 2023. It is unclear whether the claim related to his employment at the school.

Well-known Christian volunteer and music educator Jessica Fanner was also suspended by the Victorian state regulator earlier this month, following an interim suspension in February.

The flute and keyboard enthusiast had a qualification in teaching religious education and was also a member of the Salvation Army Waverley Corps until last year.

Another teacher suspended was Thomas Deery, who is facing assault-related charges and will appear in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in June.