David Simpson: Melbourne Girls’ Grammar teacher was accepted into a prestigious program despite child safety concerns

A teacher who died after child safety concerns were raised against him was accepted into a prestigious education program just months before his death.

Melbourne Girls Grammar School’s Head of Learning Enhancement, David Simpson, died on August 18 following allegations that he had inappropriately touched a child, held “closed-door conversations” with young girls and sent a lewd photo to a student sent.

It was announced on Wednesday that the school’s principal, Dr Toni Meath, had nominated Simpson to be part of the teacher excellence program at the Victorian Academy of Teaching and School Leadership.

The academy is run by the Victorian Department of Education, which has confirmed Simpson’s participation in the academy Herald Sun.

It is clear that he was hired based on a written application, an interview and an approval from the school.

Sources confirmed that Dr Meath, who is also president of the academy, nominated Simpson for the program earlier this year.

It is believed the school, which costs $40,000 a year, received its first complaint about Simpson in February, when he was accused of inappropriately touching a student.

In June and July, Simpson was said to have “held meetings behind closed doors and had multiple girls in his office all the time.”

The disgraced teacher is also said to be known for “massaging” female students and frequently talking about orgasms.

A fed-up student claimed on Reddit that they weren’t shocked when the allegations against Simpson emerged.

“They didn’t say he was inappropriate even though we all knew it,” she wrote.

“Our parents were worried about us, but they didn’t know why we weren’t all so sad.

“This week the school got fair, the only reason they got fair was because of the media and not because of the truth.

“We are all angry when we complained about him and we know other teachers did too, but the school ignored all of that. They waited for it to get this bad.’

Another student wrote: ‘You think that given the amount the parents pay, the teachers would listen to the students first after SEVERAL GIRLS complained about him.’

Some students claimed they left the school because of concerns about their safety.

“I also went to this school and left last year and all I can say is… the best decision I ever made,” said one girl.

“The school never protects their students or teachers.”

A previous statement from the school denied that Dr. Meath was in danger.

“We reiterate that the school has followed its child safety and mandatory reporting procedures, including notifying Victoria Police, and our priority remains to support students, staff and families,” a school statement said.

Melbourne Girls Grammar School also said it has ‘followed child safety and mandatory reporting procedures, including notifying Victoria Police’.

The police investigation into Simpson’s alleged offenses continues.

Dr. Earlier this year, Meath won a national award from the Nganakarrawa Australian Council of Educational Leaders for outstanding educational leadership and holds several esteemed positions in Victoria’s education system.

She joined Melbourne Girls Grammar School in 2019, sits on the board of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and is a director of the Alliance of Girls Schools Australasia.

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