Cranbrook head Nicholas Sampson resigns after new allegations

Cranbrook headmaster Nicholas Sampson has resigned.

Cranbrook School principal Nicholas Sampson has sensationally resigned from his position following fresh allegations concerning a teacher at the prestigious school, according to a letter sent to parents on Friday morning.

It is understood the new allegations relate to Mr Sampson’s knowledge about a male Cranbrook teacher allegedly sending numerous graphic emails to a former female student in 2014 at a different school.

Sampson kept that teacher on staff until this week after allegedly finding out about the emails in 2015. That Cranbrook teacher has now been put on immediate leave.

The emails included comments he had fantasised about the student and other girls in the class, and suggestions that the three of them would be “very hot” together.

“Late yesterday, the current Cranbrook School Council became aware for the first-time of allegations of an extremely concerning past conduct matter involving a current Senior School teacher at Cranbrook,” said the note, obtained by Margin Call.

“The allegations do not involve past or present Cranbrook students. The Senior School teacher involved was immediately placed on leave pending the School’s further assessment of the matter.”

Michele Marquet, the head of Cranbrook’s junior school, has been appointed Acting Head of School.

The school’s council alleges that Sampson’s failure to “disclose the matter” led to an “irrevocable breakdown of trust between the Headmaster and the School Council”. The note to parents also mentioned an ABC Four Corners episode, broadcast on Monday, highlighting a history of abuse, bullying and mistreatment of staff and students.

“The School Council communicated this to Mr Sampson and this morning received his resignation.”

Michele Marquet, the head of Cranbrook’s junior school, has been appointed Acting Head of School in the wake of Sampson’s resignation. An announcement on her replacement will be forthcoming, the letter said.

“The School will work tirelessly to ensure our Cranbrook staff are fully equipped to provide our students with all the support they require and ensure that there is minimal disruption to our academic, sporting, cultural and co-curricular programs during this period.

“The School Council deeply regrets the distress to our students, our staff, our parents, our alumni and the broader Cranbrook family arising from the current circumstances.”