Regulator reviews Christian college that was warned about paedophile
The schools regulator is reviewing a Christian school in Melbourne’s east that was repeatedly warned about a predator teacher more than four years before he was charged with dozens of sexual assault offences involving female students.
The Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority questioned St Andrews Christian College to ensure it was complying with Child Safe Standards when former teacher Steven Mellody was charged last year. This included requesting information and documents.
Documents show colleagues at St Andrews Christian College in Wantirna South warned the school about the conduct of teacher Steven Mellody.
A spokesman for the regulator said: “In light of further information contained in the media reports, the authority is considering the further action required.”
If a school does not comply with minimum standards, the regulator can suspend or cancel its registration, prohibit it from enrolling new students and demand the school report its non-compliance to parents.
The comments come as the college’s board has faced mounting pressure from concerned parents about the inadequacy of its response to repeated warnings from staff about Mellody’s inappropriate interactions with female students more than four years before his arrest.
On Tuesday, Catriona Wansbrough, the long-serving principal of the Wantirna South school, emailed parents to assure them steps had been taken to ensure the safety of students.
Ms Wansbrough said St Andrews was unable to launch an internal investigation of the matter until Mellody’s criminal case was finalised.
“Whilst Mr Mellody’s criminal proceedings continue, there remain limits on what the college can say and do in response to Mr Mellody’s conduct,” Ms Wansbrough said in the email.
The Age revealed on Tuesday that senior teachers at the college, including Ms Wansbrough, had been warned about Mellody’s inappropriate contact with female students since April 2016.
Mellody was disciplined by Ms Wansbrough and head of middle school Daniel Lee in October 2016, but the staff concerns were never relayed to police.
Instead, according to documents obtained by The Age, he was instructed to spend more time in the staffroom, or play sport with male students.
St Andrews Christian College in Wantirna South. Credit:Eddie Jim.
The Age also revealed that Mellody appeared to have been tipped-off by another senior teacher in a text message that detailed staff complaints made against him and a plan by some students to expose his predatory behaviour.
“Heads up … if you still message students …. which I’m sure you don’t … I heard last night some of the senior girls are wanting to catch you out saying inappropriate stuff to students … have no idea who or why but just a word of warning. Sorry to put a dampener on your day, just want to have your back,” said an SMS sent to Mellody by a leader at the college on June 30, 2019.
“Apparently talk of [student’s name] always with you and messaging?? All I’ve got sorry not more specific teacher kids only get snippets,” the senior colleague warned Mellody. “I’m sure it will all blow over as usual.”
The student named in the SMS message was one of two young students assaulted by Mellody and her statement formed part of the criminal case against the 37-year-old former Salvation Army pastor.
One mother, who asked not to be identified out of concern it could affect her child, accused the college of “ignoring the elephant in the room”.
“The school’s response to the article is terrible,” she said. “In my opinion, the story wasn’t so much about Steve Mellody, it was about the school’s failure to do anything about all the warnings, and the fact that one teacher was tipping him [Mellody] off.
“If its true, then the school, and the board, owe an explanation,” the woman said.
Mellody pleaded guilty last month to more than 50 offences against two students at St Andrews, including multiple counts of sexual penetration and sexual assault of a child under 16.
The prosecution indicated on October 22 that 11 charges would be withdrawn, including four counts of rape.
Mellody, who had worked as a sports co-ordinator at the private school since 2013, sexually assaulted his victims in his office, in the school’s gym and library, and on a school camp. They were groomed with thousands of sexualised SMS messages on WhatsApp, and sometimes asked to wear their school uniforms.
Mellody will face a plea hearing in the County Court on March 3 next year.
If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)
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