The former principal of one of Sydney’s most prestigious schools will face a new investigation after he allegedly knew about inappropriate emails between a teacher and one of his former students.
It is alleged that a male teacher at Cranbrook School, an all-boys school in Bellevue Hill and Rose Bay in Sydney’s exclusive eastern suburbs, sent sexually explicit emails to a former female student from another school in 2014.
Principal Nicholas Sampson is said to have been made aware in 2015 of the many graphic emails allegedly between the teacher and the young woman, from Mount St Benedict College in Pennant Hills in Sydney’s north-west.
But while running the $46,497-a-year Cranbrook, Mr. Sampson kept the teacher on staff and even promoted him. The teacher has since been suspended.
Sampson’s actions and the wider scandal surrounding the school in the wake of an ABC Four Corners exposé will now be the subject of an independent review.
Cranbrook School (pictured) and its former headteacher, Nicholas Sampson, will be the subject of an independent review
Federal Education Minister Jason Clare specifically called for an investigation into the events leading to Mr Sampson’s resignation and “the issues raised in the media regarding Cranbrook and take any appropriate action”.
It is understood Cranbrook held crisis talks on Sunday and is considering a separate review of its culture.
A spokesman said Sydney Morning Herald it will soon share an update on the ‘next steps (the board) will implement to ensure they are fully informed about all matters within the school’.
“This will include reviews from independent parties. The school, along with the council, is currently focused on looking after the pupils, staff and parents in the community, they said.
Mount St Benedict College issued its own statement on Friday, saying it was made aware of emails allegedly between the former teacher and former student, then a young adult, in March 2015.
‘The college responded quickly and reported the matter to all required authorities, including the New South Wales Police, the NSW Ombudsman, the Association of Independent Schools NSW and the school where the teacher was subsequently employed,’ it said.
‘The college met its legal responsibilities as required at the time in relation to this matter.’
The male teacher worked at the girls’ school from 2005 to 2008.
It is alleged Cranbrook learned of the emails and conducted an investigation in 2015 after Mr Sampson brought in NSW Police.
It is alleged Mr Sampson (pictured) was aware of sexual emails between a male teacher and former female student but kept him employed
Cranbrook’s investigation found the emails did not violate reportable conduct laws in place to protect children, and no action was taken against the teacher.
But after the Four Corners investigation into the school’s culture, the ABC made new claims that the emails contained deeply disturbing material, including comments about looking up girls’ skirts and sexual fantasies about pupils.
“I remember she used to sit very low in her chair, legs so far apart…always could tell what color underwear she was wearing,” one of the emails allegedly read.
Sir. Sampson’s resignation was announced on Friday morning, citing ‘an irretrievable breakdown of trust’ between the head teacher and the board.
Cranbrook acting head Michele Marquet promised parents the “stability and continuity” of the school’s operations in a letter Friday.
‘I understand that there can be feelings of disbelief and sadness that we all experience. I am grateful for everyone’s support and together we will navigate through this transition with resilience and grace,’ she wrote.
‘I am convinced that by coming together as a community we can overcome the challenges that may lie ahead.
‘It is in these trying times that our bond must grow stronger and our commitment to our school’s vision and mission must deepen.’
The Anglican school is to become co-educational and welcome female students in 2026.
Sampson’s dismissal from the school (pictured) was announced on Friday and Federal Education Minister Jason Clare called for an investigation into Cranbrook
One parent told the Herald it was a ‘relief’ that Mr Sampson had resigned but ‘the problem is you have to examine the culture of the institution’.
“The board needs to reassure the school community that the issues are being addressed and give the school community a chance to ask questions and bring the whole school community into this,” they said.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Cranbrook School for comment.