Sex Abuse Inquiry: Former Geelong Grammar Principal Admits Teacher Accused of Child Sex Abuse Was Paid to Retire Early

The Age
September 10, 2015

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/sex-abuse-inquiry-former-geelong-grammar-principal-admits-teacher-accused-of-child-sex-abuse-was-paid-to-retire-early-20150910-gjje5j.html

[with video]

A former Geelong Grammar principal has admitted he paid a teacher accused of child sex abuse to retire early, but insists it was not a "sweetheart deal".

Nicholas Sampson, who has been the headmaster of Sydney's elite Cranbrook School since 2012, told the Royal Commission into Institutional Response to Child Abuse that he regretted writing a glowing letter to former teacher Jonathan Harvey, thanking him for his "exceptional service".

Nicholas Sampson, now principal of Cranbrook School in Sydney, leaves the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Photo: Jason South

Mr Harvey was jailed in 2007 for 10 months, with another 22 months suspended, after pleading guilty to abusing a former student between 1976 and 1978.

Mr Sampson, who was principal of Geelong Grammar from 2001 to 2004, said on Thursday he became aware of sexual abuse allegations involving Mr Harvey during his final month at the school.

In a tense discussion in Mr Sampson's office, staff member BLW, who had attended the school as a child, revealed to the former Geelong Grammar principal that his brother had been sexually abused by Mr Harvey in the late '70s.

Former Geelong Grammar teacher Jonathan Harvey. Photo: Luis Ascui

"I said we would certainly look into the matter," he said. "I did think this was a very serious matter."

He said he conducted a "fairly cursory" investigation into Mr Harvey, which involved speaking to staff members, some of whom were alumni.

Mr Sampson discovered another investigation had taken place into Mr Harvey, which revealed he had been in an inappropriate relationship with a young Malaysian man.

He said he was not aware of other sex abuse allegations involved Mr Harvey.

Mr Sampson confronted Mr Harvey about the allegations raised by BLW, who wanted to remain anonymous alongside his brother. It was during this meeting that Mr Sampson said it would be sensible if Mr Harvey retired a year earlier, at the end of 2004.

"What I was trying to do was honour the relayed wishes of the victim, which I held to be extremely important and trying to ensure that I didn't compromise either my source or the victim as well," he said.