Dead teacher’s past concerns parents

Parents of former pupils of teacher who took his own life after being charged with secretly filming students in a change room fear he may have done it before.

Michael Patrick Robertson, 51, died on February 25 after being charged with two counts of making a ­recording in breach of privacy. Picture: Supplied

Parents of former pupils of a ­Brisbane primary school teacher who took his own life last month after being charged with secretly filming female students in a change room have raised concerns he may have done the same thing a decade ago.

Michael Patrick Robertson, 51, a Year 6 teacher at St Columba’s Primary School, in Brisbane’s inner northern suburbs, died on February 25 after being charged with two counts of making a ­recording in breach of privacy.

Allegations have emerged Robertson followed a similar practice of separating young girls from the rest of their cohort as they changed for swimming training at another Brisbane Catholic primary school in 2010.

A parent, who is calling for a broader police investigation, told The Weekend Australian that Robertson would regularly instruct the young girls to change in a classroom and then stay with his back turned.

“When it came for time for swimming lessons, Mr Robbo would send the boys out of the classroom to get changed and would stay in the room while the eight-year-old girls would get changed, albeit allegedly facing away from them,” the parent said.

“But in hindsight, the question is, was there a recording device in the room? Are there photos of my eight-year-old daughter circulating the dark web on pedophile ­forums.”

Queensland Police last week said the “breach of privacy matter was finalised” and that investigators were preparing a report for the coroner. But after being contacted about the parents’ concerns, Queensland Police issued a statement on Friday saying the investigation was continuing, including the forensic analysis of electronic devices seized in a search of his office and home.

“The investigation including examination of evidence is ongoing,” Queensland Police said in its statement. “Should these ­examinations identify victims, their families will be engaged as part of these ongoing inquiries.

“Police cannot provide further details at this sensitive stage of the investigation.”

Robertson killed himself within days of being arrested and charged with the two offences.

Sources said Robertson was ­alleged to have separated the girls from the rest of their cohort and had hidden the phone in the room in which they were to change. The girls saw the phone before they undressed and raised their concerns with Robertson, who is understood to have tried to play down the discovery and cautioned the students against “telling anyone”.

In 2014, Robertson was named in a parents’ complaint about the alleged mishandling of a child protection issue surrounding a ­female pupil at a primary school at which he had previously taught.

Catholic Education said that “at all times” members of its school community are encouraged to raise any concerns.

“BCE has strict processes and procedures in place that ensure appropriate responses to complaints, including immediate referral to police when required. Once that occurs, BCE provides all assistance possible to police,’’ a statement said.

“For matters not requiring police involvement, BCE engages independent investigators when necessary.

“Anyone raising concerns with BCE is assured of confidentiality. BCE does not publish details of its internal investigations.”

A private memorial service has already been held for Robertson. Family members could not be contacted.

Queensland Police last week said investigations had not identified any direct sexual offending against any children. “The man died in non-suspicious circumstances,’’ police said.