Since Chanel College, in Gladstone, about 100km southeast of Rockhampton, was made aware of Morgan’s behaviour, it has let him go.
‘Thought of the day’
According to a recently released tribunal decision in New Zealand, Morgan was working as a boarding house assistant and would get the students to share a “thought of the day” as a way to wind down before bedtime. The intention was to have a low-energy conversation.
But two Year 10 students reported Morgan to the unnamed school’s director of boarding after the thought of the day became sexual.
The students said comments made by Morgan during these discussions included, “Would you have regular sex with a seven out of 10 or have a one-night stand with a nine out of 10?” and, “Would you sleep with an absolute 10 out of 10 if she was crazy as?”
The decision states he also asked, “How long would you wait to have sex with a dead girl?”
Morgan also engaged in banter and jokes with a student over the course of several days, while other students were present.
He apologised to the student after making a sexual comment about the child’s mother.
The tribunal found Morgan had committed serious misconduct but, because he was teaching in Australia, it could do no more than censure him.
At the time of the hearing, he was a teacher at St Patrick’s College in Shorncliffe, north of Brisbane. He moved to Chanel College, a Catholic co-educational school, in January.
The tribunal decision said the Queensland College of Teachers was aware of his background.
But the Catholic Education – Diocese of Rockhampton (CEDR), which oversees Chanel College, said the school was unaware of this when he started teaching there.
“At the time of his employment, Mr Morgan held current registration with the Queensland College of Teachers, the statutory authority responsible for regulating the teaching profession in Queensland.
“CEDR and Chanel College were not aware of the information contained in the tribunal decision prior to his appointment.”
CEDR became aware of the decision on March 11 after NZME contacted the school. It notified the Queensland College of Teachers, and Morgan was suspended.
Now he has been let go from his role.
“CEDR confirms that Mr Morgan is no longer an employee of Chanel College, Gladstone, or Catholic Education – Diocese of Rockhampton.”
It said the safety and protection of students was its highest priority.
“The college is working closely with the school community to provide appropriate pastoral support.”
The Queensland College of Teachers said it could not comment on any individual’s teacher registration or matters of professional conduct.
The Teaching Council of New Zealand said it was confident that the statement regarding evidence in the Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal decision was accurate about the Queensland College of Teachers being aware of the allegations against Morgan.
“If any further concerns were raised through a mandatory report, this would be assessed and, where appropriate, investigated in line with our usual processes.”
Brianna McIlraith is a Queenstown-based reporter for Open Justice covering courts in the lower South Island. She has been a journalist since 2018.