By Casey Neill
A Dandenong deputy principal is suspended from teaching after police charged him with child pornography offences.
Quentin Paul Smith is due to face a committal mention in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday 6 July.
St John’s Regional College principal Tim Hogan said Victoria Police brought allegations regarding a staff member to his attention during the last week of the school term.
He said that in line with school procedures and obligations under the Reportable Conduct Scheme, the staff member was immediately suspended from work.
Mr Hogan said his deputy was also referred to the Victorian Institute of Teachers (VIT) and the Commission for Children and Young People.
“The staff member has had no contact with students since the school was made aware of the allegations,” he said.
“The college community has been notified but as the matter is now subject to legal proceedings we are unable to comment further.”
VIT CEO Peter Corcoran confirmed Mr Smith was suspended from teaching on Tuesday 27 March, immediately after police arrested and charged him.
“VIT will monitor the Victoria Police prosecution of Mr Smith in the criminal courts,” he said.
“Should he be found guilty of a sexual offence relating to a child he will be automatically disqualified from teaching in Victoria.
“In the event Mr Smith is not convicted of a criminal offence, VIT may conduct an investigation to determine his fitness to teach.”
A spokeswoman for the Commission for Children and Young People said she could not comment on individual cases.
“The commission’s legislation makes it an offence to disclose information about specific cases, including whether we have received a notification of a reportable allegation,” she said.
