Northern Bay College teacher seeks compensation after several shocking alleged incidents

A former Corio teacher is seeking compensation after experiencing multiple alleged shocking incidents including an assistant principal sending her a doctored sexualised image of himself.

A former Corio high school teacher is seeking compensation after experiencing multiple alleged shocking incidents.

A former Corio high school teacher is seeking compensation after experiencing multiple alleged shocking incidents including an assistant principal sending her a doctored sexualised image of himself and violent attacks by students on the job.

The Herald Sun can reveal Sarah, a former teacher at Northern Bay College, has been left with “lifelong trauma” after enduring years of alleged abuse and inappropriate behaviour by staff and students at the school.

The 42-year-old, who worked at the school from 2015 until 2022, said her complaints about feeling unsafe to the school’s leadership team fell on deaf ears.

The former Northern Bay College teacher is seeking compensation over years of alleged abuse by staff and students at the school.

The former teacher, who is being represented by Shine Lawyers, is seeking compensation after suffering chronic post traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks and other injuries.

According to a statement of claim filed in the Supreme Court, the school’s former assistant principal, emailed Sarah a “sexually suggestive” image of himself.

“I was sent a sexual image from him through his Department of Education email during my second year working at the school,” she told the Herald Sun.

“It was horrifying, my stomach just dropped.

“There was no context to it and the subject line was Merry Christmas with this image and he included other teachers … The photo showed his head superimposed on a shirtless man lying on a bed.”

Sarah claims she was discouraged by her direct manager from making a formal complaint, saying the incident highlighted the “toxic” and “unsupportive” culture.

“The principal took me into his office and questioned me about it. I felt like I was in trouble, he wanted to downplay it and said technically we could take this to the Department but it will affect the assistant principal’s career.

“The principal really pressured me to handle it in-house … the only repercussions the assistant principal faced was being forced to write me an apology letter.”

The former teacher also alleges she was physically attacked by students on ‘hundreds of occasions’. Picture: iStock

The former educator also alleges she was physically attacked and verbally abused by students on “hundreds of occasions”.

“A student threatened to stab me with a knife and I was advised by the principal that he would be suspended, but no action was taken and a large knife was found in his bag the next day on an excursion.

“When I was on yard duty in the canteen a student shouted at me saying ‘you don’t mess with me you f***ing c***’ … I’ll f*** you up’, it was very confronting.”

Sarah said the whole ordeal left her traumatised, which forced her to go on WorkCover in early 2022.

“I had to give up on a profession that I really loved, it’s been gut-wrenching.

“This has never been about pursuing legal action … it’s about bringing awareness to it, to make the school and Department accountable.”

Shine Lawyers legal practice manager Arsan Mutluel said: “Our client got into teaching with the hopes of helping shape the next generation and change the lives of kids who needed a bit of extra help.”

“The school owed our client a duty of care to provide a safe work environment but we allege it failed on several occasions to address her serious concerns for her personal safety,” Mr Mutluel said.

“We allege the school’s failure to protect and support our client has left her unable to work. She’s been forced to give up a profession she was hoping to spend the rest of her life working in.”

A Department of Education spokesman said: “We work to provide a safe environment for all staff and have extensive programs in place to support students with challenging behaviours and additional educational needs.”