A Darwin teacher is embroiled in controversy over a Facebook post written allegedly about a 16-year-old former student.
The post was written the day after the boy committed suicide.
The post read:
“You were a bully to kids smaller and younger than yourself, I saw you intimidate, stand over and beat up on younger kids (never anyone your own size).
“You made life hell for genuine students wanting to learn and teachers trying to teach.
“You were a moody, disrespectful little brat in and away from school who was always given excuses by your parents and soft people in authority. Your gone, good no sympathy or empathy from me”.
The boy tragically took his life on the weekend.
The vitriolic post was seen and shared by hundreds in the school community.
NT News.com reported yesterday that the teacher, Simon Cox, has resigned over the matter.
However, last night on Channel Nine the teacher denied the post was about the 16-year-old boy.
“My comments were related to a bully I endured 30 years ago,” he told Channel Nine.
“It wasn’t intended towards this student.
I have just been hung out to dry. I didn’t do anything wrong. In retrospect, not good timing and I admit that but it was never against this student.”
Simon Cox said his post was bad timing but that he had just heard that his former bully had died of an illness.
He says he resigned over unrelated matters.
The NT Education Department have said that they are investigating the matter.
In a statement, Education department deputy chief executive Susan Bowden said: “The Department of Education deeply regrets the stress to family and friends caused by this teacher’s alleged actions at this difficult time.”
“The teacher in question tendered his resignation last Friday (on an unrelated matter) to take effect from 14 April, 2014. However, the teacher was stood down immediately when the department became aware of this incident,” she said.
“The teacher is not at school and will not return. This type of behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the Department of Education. The Teacher Registration Board has been notified.
The Department of Education’s Social Media Policy, Social Media in Schools Guidelines and Procedures and Code of Conduct provide all departmental staff with clear guidelines as to the appropriate and responsible use of social media.”
The boy’s family are said to be devastated over the teacher’s post.
The Education Department is expected to give a statement on the matter over the coming days.
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Top Comments
If the post was about the child who had committed suicide then it baffles me how the teacher couldn't have seen that PERHAPS that all the horrible actions and behaviour they outlined were a result of the child's deep unhappiness. I'd expect more from an educator. Anyone with an iota of compassion would realise that a 16 year old who exhibits this type of behaviour is not alright and would need support and understanding.
Except that he states that the post wasnt about this child. When you are being bullied by someone then you probably dont give a toss what that kid is going through. You just want the bullying to stop.
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