Teacher given good report

Press, 28 February 1984, Page 3

Teacher given good report

PA Hamilton The Hamilton schoolteacher still teaching after his conviction on a charge of behaving in an offensive manner has been given a good report by his school principal. The Hamilton Education Board sought the report after publicity that name suppression granted to the man was preventing emaig authorities from eshing if he was one of their employees. The general manager of the board, Mr Trevor Loomb, said a teacher had been placed in a Hamilton school where he was under the principal who was aware of a previous conviction.

The teacher was also monitored regularly by a member of the primary inspectorate team. “The principal has? told

the board that the man was performing well above average as a classroom teacher, and was making a positive contribution to the educational environment of the school. The principal said the man was an enthusiastic and energetic teacher,” Mr Loomb said. He said that in spite of allegations that the man was the same person convicted in an Auckland court in December, the board was still constrained from taking any formal action. “The name suppression imposed by the Court means the board cannot officially confirm he is the defendant, so it cannot act,” said Mr Loomb.

“We can’t proceed on an allegation, but we are planning an approach to the Minister of Education, Mr Wellington, on this one,” he said.