Raunchy teachers on Facebook

Questionable behaviour: Part of the series of photographs taken of Warwick State High School teachers splashed over one teacher’s Facebook profile page.

Poll

Should the teachers face disciplinary action after posting raunchy photos on Facebook?

This poll ended on 16 March 2011.

Yes - it's inappropriate behaviour from role models.

23%

No - what they do in their own private life is their business.

76%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

TWO female Warwick State High School (WSHS) teachers are being investigated after a series of raunchy photos were broadcast across social networking website Facebook.

The images clearly depict and name WSHS teachers Ann Kerr and Helen Casey wearing mock school uniforms with fishnet stockings while perched on a bathroom vanity in sexually suggestive positions.

One of the pictures is Ms Kerr’s Facebook profile shot, with the series of images entitled ‘First day of school’, easily accessible to students and the wider community.

Under Facebook’s settings, the majority of the explicit photos cannot be accessed unless a user is a ‘friend’ of the teachers, however both teachers’ Facebook friends include recently-graduated (2009) WSHS students.

While the series of photos is not displayed on Ms Casey’s active Facebook site, the sexy shots can be easily navigated to via Ms Kerr’s Facebook account when a third party is accepted as an online ‘friend’ of either teacher.

Education Queensland yesterday confirmed it was investigating the matter after it was brought to their attention by the Daily News.

The EQ Code of Conduct prohibits teachers partaking in “examples of behaviour which would constitute sexual misconduct (in the form of) sexual exhibitionism”.

Another section states “if you use internet social networks in your personal time you must ensure that the content is appropriate and private, and that you restrict access to specific people who are not students”.

EQ Darling Downs and South West regional director Greg Dickman said the Department of Education and Training’s Code of Conduct required its employees to ensure the content of their private social networking sites was appropriate.

“This requirement takes into account the trust placed in a public servant, particularly a teacher,” Mr Dickman said.

“All complaints of misconduct against teachers and other departmental staff are forwarded to the Ethical Standards Unit for assessment and management.

“The department is investigating matters brought to its attention (yesterday) morning; no further comment will be made while this investigation is underway.”

The Daily News attempted to contact Ms Kerr for comment but was told she was unavailable due to her attendance in Toowoomba at a personal development program until tomorrow.

Attempts to contact Ms Casey were referred to EQ’s district office.