Suspended casual relief teacher Damon Carli facing court over sexual offence

A casual relief teacher who has taught at Victorian government schools, including Tarneit Senior College, has been suspended from teaching after being charged with a sex offence.

A casual relief teacher is facing court after being charged with a sexual offence. Picture: David Crosling

A well-known casual relief teacher who has taught at several government schools across Victoria has been placed on an interim suspension by the state’s peak teaching regulator after being charged with a sexual offence.

The Herald Sun can reveal Damon Carli, who has worked as an English and humanities teacher at Tarneit Senior College and most recently as a casual relief teacher for Anzuk Education, is facing Melbourne Magistrates’ Court next week for a contest mention hearing.

Mr Carli has been charged by Victoria Police for a sexual offence.

According to Mr Carli’s LinkedIn profile, he also worked as an English tutor and a marketing co-ordinator.

Casual relief teacher Damon Carli has been charged with a sexual offence. Picture: Supplied

He has not worked in any Victorian government school since his interim suspension was imposed by the Victorian Institute of Teaching earlier this month.

A Department of Education spokesman said Mr Carli’s interim suspension prevented a person from working as a teacher in a school.

“We are unable to comment further as this matter is currently before the courts,” the spokesman said.

It comes after five teachers were 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.

Damon Carli has worked as an English and humanities teacher at Tarneit Senior College. Picture: Rob Leeson

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.

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.