The secret teacher blacklist | Background Briefing | Investigative Podcast

Key Concepts

Cassandra Complex: The mythological concept of a prophetess whose warnings are dismissed or ridiculed.
Support Unit: A specialized unit within a school catering to students with high needs, learning difficulties, or who are non-verbal.
Code of Conduct: A set of rules and guidelines outlining expected behavior and professional standards.
Child Protection Issue: A concern regarding the safety and well-being of a child.
Whistleblower: An individual who reports misconduct or wrongdoing within an organization.
Mediation: A process of resolving disputes through a neutral third party.
Not to be Employed List: A confidential list maintained by the NSW Department of Education of individuals prohibited from working for the department or on school premises due to serious offenses, misconduct, or performance issues.
Working with Children Check (WWCC): A mandatory clearance required in NSW for individuals working or volunteering with children.
Procedural Fairness/Natural Justice: The right to a fair hearing and unbiased decision-making process.
Union Rep: A representative of a trade union who advocates for workers' rights.
EPAC (Education and Public Administration Committee): Likely a department or committee within the NSW Department of Education.

The Cassandra Effect at Delroy: A Systemic Failure

This report details a disturbing case originating from Delroy, a regional school in New South Wales, where a support worker, Kim May, experienced severe repercussions after reporting an incident of alleged misconduct by a colleague, Mark Prince. The narrative unfolds as a cautionary tale about how a whistleblower's concerns can be dismissed, leading to significant personal cost and exposing systemic flaws in child protection and employment vetting processes.

The Incident at the Pub

The story begins on a cold June night in 2014 in the town of Do. Kim May, a support worker at Delroy Public School, attended a colleague's birthday party at a local pub. During the gathering, she witnessed Mark Prince, another support worker in the same unit for vulnerable children, showing a video on his phone. Kim described seeing a teenage boy from the school's support unit, who was non-verbal, with his nappy partially down, exposing his bottom. The video was met with laughter from Mark Prince and other colleagues, a reaction that deeply shocked and angered Kim. She confronted Prince, stating, "If you don't put that phone away, I'll shove it up your ass."

Kim's Background and Dedication

Kim May is portrayed as a compassionate and dedicated individual with a unique background. She previously worked as a zookeeper, specializing in reptiles, and developed a passion for public speaking and teaching children through keeper talks. This experience led her to a career in education, where she found she had a natural ability to connect with children, particularly those in the support unit at Delroy. She describes her approach as making children feel comfortable and helping them enjoy school, often using playful methods like kicking a soccer ball, even with her physical limitations. Her deep care for the vulnerable students, especially the non-verbal child in the video, fueled her resolve to report the incident.

The Reporting Process and Initial Dismissal

Kim reported the video incident to the principal of Delroy, who assured her it would be handled. However, Kim observed no apparent consequences for Mark Prince. Feeling that her concerns were not adequately addressed, she escalated the matter with the assistance of her support worker from the Department of Education's Aboriginal Initiatives Program. The Department of Education, after speaking with the principal, decided not to investigate further.

Social Ostracization and Personal Toll

Following her report, Kim experienced significant social isolation at Delroy. Colleagues who were once friendly began to ignore her, leading to feelings of being "iced out" and isolated after over a decade of service. This ostracization, coupled with the perceived lack of action, had a severe impact on her mental health, leading to depression and suicidal ideation. She contemplated leaving a suicide note that would prompt an investigation into the school.

Mediation and Further Restrictions

Kim eventually sought help and, at the suggestion of the acting principal, participated in a mediation session with Mark Prince. During the mediation, Kim attempted to ask Prince about the incident, but the outcome was an instruction that she was not to discuss Mark Prince with anyone and was to walk away if he was present. This further reinforced her feeling of being the problem. Ultimately, the cumulative stress led Kim to resign from Delroy after 18 years, feeling she was labeled a "whistleblower" and prioritizing her health over her job.

Mark Prince's Career Trajectory and Investigation

Mark Prince, who had only been at Delroy for a short period as a support worker, moved on to work for the Clonaf Foundation, an organization embedded in schools to help Aboriginal boys improve attendance. He worked there for several years before suddenly resigning.

Years later, in 2022, the NSW Department of Education investigated Mark Prince, resulting in his permanent placement on the "not to be employed" list. This investigation was part of a broader inquiry into Delroy that conducted 13 investigations into alleged misconduct. The documents revealed that Mark Prince faced 26 allegations, with 15 sustained.

Sustained Allegations Against Mark Prince

The sustained allegations against Mark Prince included:

The video incident: While he admitted to filming the vulnerable student, there was conflicting evidence regarding whether the child's bottom was filmed.
Supplying alcohol to teenage boys: Mark Prince was found to have bought and supplied alcohol to students during a football trip. He was present at a suspension meeting for a student who was blamed for the alcohol, and he did not admit his own involvement at that time, effectively "throwing the student under a bus." Upon being confronted by a Delroy employee, he admitted to supplying the alcohol and immediately resigned from Delroy and Clonaf. The department deemed his behavior "irresponsible and reckless" and "deceitful," stating it compromised the safety of children in his care.

Mark Prince, through his lawyer, denied some findings and claimed he was denied procedural fairness.

The Case of Paul Eastwood

The report then introduces Paul Eastwood, a former student at Delroy who also had negative experiences. Paul, who had learning difficulties and was part of the support unit, joined the Clonaf program under Mark Prince's care in year seven. Paul's father, Greg Eastwood, initially believed things were fine, but the school began issuing Paul numerous suspension letters (at least half a dozen).

Paul felt targeted and provoked by Mark Prince, who he claims made demeaning comments as they passed each other in the school corridors, such as "Take your hat off. You got no brains in there. You're not going to get your year 10 certificate." The department later found insufficient evidence for these specific comments. While Paul admitted to back-chatting, swearing, and fighting, he felt provoked and that he would be suspended regardless of his efforts.

Greg Eastwood, a FIFO worker, became suspicious and set up a camera at his home. He observed Mark Prince deliberately driving the Clonaf bus past their house with other boys, which Paul found humiliating. Greg complained to the Clonaf Foundation, and Mark Prince agreed not to drive past the Eastwood house. The department's investigator found no evidence that this was intended to be threatening.

The Department of Education investigation did find that Mark Prince threatened to kick Paul out of Clonaf, which, while not deemed misconduct, was considered not in keeping with management expectations.

The Devastating Impact on Paul

The cumulative effect of these experiences at school led Paul to isolate himself, experiencing depression and crying at night, questioning what he had done. He even contemplated suicide. The impact on his education was severe; his reading and writing abilities regressed significantly. At 25, Paul still experiences triggers, such as being unable to work in schools due to the painful reminders. He and his father felt let down by the education system, believing they were blamed for the issues and that their concerns were ignored for too long.

Kim's Continued Advocacy and the Role of Danielle Sparrow

After leaving Delroy, Kim encountered Paul's brother, Brad, who informed her about Paul's struggles. This led Kim to reconnect with Paul and his father, Greg. They also found an ally in Danielle Sparrow, a former teacher at Delroy and a union rep. Danielle had previously received a cryptic warning from Kim about the consequences of speaking up. Years later, after hearing worrying stories, Danielle contacted Kim, who revealed the extent of the issues, including the video incident.

Danielle, horrified by the situation, teamed up with Kim and others to make allegations about Delroy, including those not related to Mark Prince. They approached their local MP and the education minister.

The Lengthy Investigation and Apology

The investigation into Delroy took seven years from the video incident. Before the findings were handed down, Kim received an apology from the Department of Education for the inadequate handling of her 2014 report, acknowledging that her concerns should have been more closely examined. While this offered partial vindication, Kim felt it didn't address the lack of accountability from those who dismissed her at the school.

The Loopholes in the System

Despite Mark Prince being on the NSW Department of Education's "not to be employed" list, he was able to secure a position as Youth Services Manager for an organization called Ready, which delivers community programs, including youth services, for another NSW government department. This was possible because he held a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC).

The report highlights a critical flaw: while the Department of Education banned Prince from public schools, the Office of the Children's Guardian, responsible for WWCCs, granted him a new check two years after he was placed on the banned list. The Office of the Children's Guardian stated that being on the "not to be employed" list doesn't automatically preclude someone from obtaining a WWCC, as other factors like the time elapsed and subsequent conduct are considered.

This situation is baffling to those affected, as it means someone banned from working in NSW public schools can still work with children in other settings, such as independent schools, Catholic schools, or childcare centers, as long as it's not within the NSW Department of Education. The lack of communication between these vetting bodies creates significant loopholes.

The Ongoing Aftermath

For Greg Eastwood, the prolonged process and the feeling of being the ones who suffer despite telling the truth are deeply frustrating. He questions the purpose of standing up and speaking out when the system seems to allow individuals like Mark Prince to continue working with children. The experience has consumed significant time and energy, and the impact continues to affect individuals years later.

Conclusion

The story of Kim May, Paul Eastwood, and others at Delroy exposes a deeply concerning failure within the NSW education and child protection systems. It illustrates how a single incident, if not handled with appropriate diligence and transparency, can lead to a cascade of negative consequences for whistleblowers and vulnerable individuals. The report underscores the critical need for better inter-agency communication, more robust vetting processes, and a system that genuinely prioritizes the safety and well-being of children over bureaucratic loopholes and procedural technicalities. The Cassandra complex, in this instance, appears to be a systemic issue where genuine warnings are not only dismissed but also lead to the silencing and suffering of those who dare to speak out.