Teacher stood down

By Bridget Cook
A CRANBOURNE Park Primary School teacher has been stood down over allegations of physical abuse towards students.
The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development confirmed that it was investigating the incident and that the teacher had been stood down from classes until investigations were complete.
A department spokeswoman would not reveal the nature of the alleged incident or how many students could have been affected.
The spokeswoman said the department was taking the matter seriously.
“The school has informed the relevant parents that the matter is being investigated and will keep them informed,” she said.
“The principal asked the parents what support they would like while the investigation is underway.
“Two families requested counselling, which has been organised.”
News reports have said that parents allege the punishments included Chinese burns, making children kneel in a corner for 30 minutes and dragging them across the classroom floor by their arms.
Cranbourne Park Primary School mother Melissa Fitzpatrick told the Nine Network last week that, with what the teacher had done, he shouldn’t be allowed to teach any children.
Ms Fitzpatrick said her daughter had witnessed the alleged abuse.
“She was pretty upset, she was devastated by it all,” she said.