Teacher fired for allegedly advancing on host students

The teacher allegedly made improper sexual advances on two female students while they were staying with him and his wife in May last year. Photo / File

A senior international teacher has been fired after he allegedly made sexual advances on two exchange students while hosting them at his home.

The teacher has denied any wrongdoing, but following complaints to his school by the students and a year-long investigation he was fired from his job in June.

The teacher, who has not been named, went to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) seeking interim reinstatement to his job while a full investigation into his dismissal was completed.

The teacher, who was director of international students at the unnamed school, allegedly made improper sexual advances on two female students while they were staying with him and his wife in May last year.

The women wrote a letter to the school's principal about their complaints, who then wrote a letter to the teacher about the allegations. The teacher - who had been at the school since 1988 - denied any wrong doings.

He was suspended on full pay while an investigation was completed.

A year-long investigation by the school, led by an independent investigator, found he had behaved inappropriately and the teacher was fired from his job in June for serious misconduct.

During the course of the investigation it was also discovered that the teacher had downloaded pornography onto his work computer.

The teacher has since taken his dismissal to the ERA, saying he was unjustifiably dismissed and was seeking interim reinstatement while his dismissal was investigated.

The school's Board of Trustees opposed interim reinstatement.

Findings released today found he would not be reinstated in the interim, pending a full investigation into his dismissal.