Teacher's sex tape ordeal comes to an end

Francoise Lewis. Photo / Supplied

A teacher at a top boys' school was suspended after being wrongly accused of appearing on a sex tape.

She has now been exonerated in an embarrassing case of mistaken identity.

Tauranga Boys College head of drama Francoise Lewis was suspended on full pay for 10 days after the principal and board of trustees received a formal complaint, which the Herald on Sunday has learned was in relation to a sex video.

A source said the woman in the video looked like Lewis. It is understood Lewis was shown a still from the video, which had circulated among students.

Lewis told friends she was horrified at its graphic nature and said the allegation was a nightmare.

She also told friends that she had been wondering why some students had been whistling at her as she walked into the school.

Board chairwoman Gillian Gemming said the school had no option but to "thoroughly investigate" the complaint and did so "as speedily as possible". Lewis co-operated with the investigation.

"The outcome is that the board and principal are satisfied that the complaint, which they accept was in good faith, was the result of a case of mistaken identity," Gemming said.

"We also wish to make it clear that the staff member concerned remains a valued member of our staff. We now consider this matter closed."