School staffer sacked for slapping student on hand
The long-serving science technician at the Catholic girls’ school has been sacked after she was found to have slapped a student on the hand during a year 9 biology dissection class.
Education
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An educator who slapped a student on the hand and a human resources manager accused of financial misconduct have both been recently sacked by two leading Melbourne Catholic colleges, court documents reveal.
The first is Jillian McLoghlin, a long-serving science technician from St Columba’s College in Essendon, and the second is Greg Pargeter, a human resources manager from Mazenod College.
A Fair Work Commission unfair dismissal ruling indicates Ms McLoghlin lost her job at the Essendon Catholic girls’ school after she was accused of arguing and forcefully slapping a student during a year 9 biology dissection class.
Ms McLoghlin admitted to the slap in August last year but said she was trying to protect the student and it was just “one little incident”.
She denied she was arguing with the student but admitted the class had not been following her instructions which had made her cross.
Ms McLoghlin claimed she was unfairly dismissed and sought compensation, but the Fair Work Commission ruled last week her sacking was justified.
In his ruling, deputy president Alan Colman said video clearly showed the teacher slapping the student.
“Ms McLoghlin turns to her and slaps her hand — A loud smack can be heard,” Mr Colman said.
“The student then recoils, and says, ‘Oh my God’. The slap was forceful.
“I find that the reason for which Ms McLoghlin slapped Student A’s hand was that she was cross with her. It had nothing to do with safety.
“In this day and age, it is difficult to imagine situations in which it would be appropriate for a teacher or a school assistant to slap the hand of a student,” he said
St Columba’s College principal Rita Grima, said the school supported the decision of the deputy president Coleman.
“Child safety is paramount. We want a school culture where children are safe and feel safe,” she said.
It comes as Mr Pargeter, the human resources and policy manager at Mazenod College since 2018, was terminated on April 11 this year due to alleged misconduct.
According to an interim court ruling Mr Pargeter denies he falsified a variation in his employment contract which gave him a financial benefit.
His claim for unfair dismissal was given the green light to proceed by Commissioner Radford despite being filed two days late.
Mr Pargeter is being supported in his case by Justin Cooney, a lawyer with the Independent Education Union.
A spokeswoman for Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools, which runs Mazenod College, confirmed Mr Pargeter is a former employee who is “asserting his rights under the Fair Work Act”.
“We respect the commission’s processes and will participate fully,” she said.
The principal of St Columba’s College, Rita Grima, said the school supported the decision of the deputy president Coleman.
“Child safety is paramount. We want a school culture where children are safe and feel safe,” she said.
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