Teacher watchdog disciplined 47 educators and school leaders in 2024

The teacher watchdog took disciplinary action against 47 educators last year, including 28 teachers and principals who were suspended on an interim basis.

Korumburra Secondary College principal John Wilson has been suspended on an interim basis, with the Department of Education and school cooperating fully with a Victoria Police investigation. Picture: Facebook.

A high school principal was among 47 educators disciplined by the teaching regulator in 2024, with dozens of others facing restrictions preventing them from returning to the classroom in the new school year.

Korumburra Secondary College principal John Wilson was among nine educators suspended in the past two months alone by the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT).

Mr Wilson was the school’s principal up until the end of term three last year, before he was unexpectedly replaced by an acting principal.

He was then suspended on an interim basis on November 22.

While it’s not known why he was disciplined by the teaching regulator, it’s understood the Department of Education and the school are co-operating fully with a Victoria Police investigation. No charges have been laid.

Also facing disciplinary action that month was former grade three and four teacher Matt Trovato, who has been suspended on an interim basis pending the outcome of an internal investigation.

He previously copped an ongoing suspension early last year, but this was revoked by the teaching regulator when police charges of reckless conduct causing injury were withdrawn in August.

Mr Trovato was a teacher at Glenroy Central Primary School and also previously worked at Gladstone Views Primary School.

The Herald Sun has contacted Mr Trovato for comment.

In other action taken by the regulator in November and December, educators who were suspended on an interim basis were Laura Hill, Vi Long Lam, Russell Stuart Boyle and Nguyen Bao Duy Tran.

Tarneit P-9 College teacher Justin Marks was also suspended on Christmas Eve after he was charged by police.

Meanwhile, Hoa Tam Trinh had his registration cancelled and was disqualified from making an application for registration for one year.

Another teacher who was disqualified from teaching was Thomas Deery, who was previously suspended and has now had his teaching registration ceased for a five-year period.

These educators join 38 other educators who faced disciplinary action by the regulator in 2024, with a total 28 teachers either suspended or suspended on an interim basis.

July saw the largest number of educators being disciplined by the watchdog, with five suspended on an interim basis, four having their teaching registration cancelled and one suspended.

The disciplined educators taught at schools spanning across Greater Melbourne as well as in regional areas including Bendigo and Ballarat.

Matt Trovato, a northern suburbs teacher, was among 28 teachers either suspended or suspended on an interim basis last year. Picture: Facebook

A VIT spokesman said the regulator was responsible for “ensuring only qualified and suitable educators are registered to reach in a Victorian school of early childhood service”.

“Where VIT becomes aware of unsuitable conduct of registered educators, we immediately take appropriate action in the interest of the safety and wellbeing of students,” he said.

The VIT may suspend a teacher on an interim basis if it believes the educator poses an unacceptable risk of harm to children and a suspension is necessary to protect children.

Circumstances that may impact a teacher’s suitability to teach include being charged with a criminal offence, being the subject of a disciplinary investigation or breaching conditions on their working with children check.

A full list of teachers who have faced disciplinary action in the past is available on the VIT website.