A teacher alleged to be a “notorious molester” has been immortalized with a memorial at the school in which the alleged abuse took place. The inscription on the memorial gates reads: “He Touched Us All”.
Australia’s Royal Commission is currently holding an inquiry into the school’s response to the allegations of abuse against teaching staff.
During his testimony this week, former Knox Grammar School student Scott Ashton told the inquiry that the memorial at the school had left him angry and confused.
Teacher Bruce Barret, who died young, was finally convicted of five counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault in 2009. But according to Ashton, Barrett was a “notorious molester” prior to the convictions, and the schools demanded his students pay tribute to him anyway.
“The fact that he was so well regarded by the school despite being a notorious molester made me feel very confused and powerless,” he said.
“I felt ashamed of my abuse. I was deeply ashamed and unable to discuss it with anyone.
“It was an issue which I avoided because any reminder of it would cause me severe stress and interfered with my ability to function and cope on a day-to-day basis.”
Mr. Ashton claims that Barrett would chase and tickle students, and used to announce “watch out boys, it’s a red tie day” meaning he would be caning people. However, when the 44-year-old was asked to stay behind after class by Barrett one such day, he states that instead of being caned, he was sexually assaulted.
Yet, when Barret died, he was eulogized by colleagues and school leaders at his public funeral and memorial gates were installed at the school with the inscription: “He Touched Us All.”
But the abuse and alleged cover up did not begin and end with Bruce Barrett.
In 1989, teacher Damien Vance was reprimanded by headmaster Ian Paterson for physically assaulting two boys, and later asked to leave the exclusive Sydney boys school. But when he left, Dr. Paterson gave Vance a letter of recommendation which he used to get a job in another school.
In 1991, Vance asked Dr Paterson for another reference and received one that praised him as a strong teacher:
“He is highly experienced and he knows the art and craft of teaching, both in the classroom and the sports field.”
In fact, Barret joins no fewer than five former teachers at the prestigious school who have been convicted of sexual assault, and the inquiry has heard allegations made against a further three members of staff. The inquiry continues.
Australia’s Royal Commission is currently holding an inquiry into the school’s response to the allegations of abuse against teaching staff.
During his testimony this week, former Knox Grammar School student Scott Ashton told the inquiry that the memorial at the school had left him angry and confused.
Teacher Bruce Barret, who died young, was finally convicted of five counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault in 2009. But according to Ashton, Barrett was a “notorious molester” prior to the convictions, and the schools demanded his students pay tribute to him anyway.
“The fact that he was so well regarded by the school despite being a notorious molester made me feel very confused and powerless,” he said.
“I felt ashamed of my abuse. I was deeply ashamed and unable to discuss it with anyone.
“It was an issue which I avoided because any reminder of it would cause me severe stress and interfered with my ability to function and cope on a day-to-day basis.”
Mr. Ashton claims that Barrett would chase and tickle students, and used to announce “watch out boys, it’s a red tie day” meaning he would be caning people. However, when the 44-year-old was asked to stay behind after class by Barrett one such day, he states that instead of being caned, he was sexually assaulted.
Yet, when Barret died, he was eulogized by colleagues and school leaders at his public funeral and memorial gates were installed at the school with the inscription: “He Touched Us All.”
But the abuse and alleged cover up did not begin and end with Bruce Barrett.
In 1989, teacher Damien Vance was reprimanded by headmaster Ian Paterson for physically assaulting two boys, and later asked to leave the exclusive Sydney boys school. But when he left, Dr. Paterson gave Vance a letter of recommendation which he used to get a job in another school.
In 1991, Vance asked Dr Paterson for another reference and received one that praised him as a strong teacher:
“He is highly experienced and he knows the art and craft of teaching, both in the classroom and the sports field.”
In fact, Barret joins no fewer than five former teachers at the prestigious school who have been convicted of sexual assault, and the inquiry has heard allegations made against a further three members of staff. The inquiry continues.