Primary school teacher takes his own life as police investigate claims he filmed young students in change rooms at a sporting event
- Primary school teacher dies amid reports he was being investigated by police
- Brisbane school had told parents they were aware of allegations involving staffer
- Claims male teacher had filmed – or attempted to film – students in change room
- For 24/7 support in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14
A male primary school teacher has died amid reports police were investigating claims he filmed students in change rooms.
The family of Michael Patrick Robertson, a Year 6 teacher at St Columba’s Primary School in Wilston, inner Brisbane, posted about his death online on Thursday.
Mr Roberston is believed to have taken his own life, the Courier-Mail reported.
Brisbane primary school teacher Michael Robertson died on Thursday, his family posted online
The principal of St Columba’s Primary School in Wilston, inner Brisbane, wrote to parents on Tuesday revealing a police investigation was underway into one of their staff members
Two days earlier the school revealed to parents a police investigation was underway following claims students had been filmed at a sporting event.
Mr Robertson was reportedly understood to have come to the attention of police following allegations he filmed – or attempted to film – students, with detectives probing whether he had created child exploitation material.
It is not clear if any charges were laid. Queensland Police have not provided any comment on the matter as yet.
The primary school’s principal sent out two emails to parents on Tuesday night about allegations involving one of their staff members.
‘I write to inform you that our school recently became aware of an alleged incident involving one of our staff members,’ the principal wrote in one email.
‘This matter is now the subject of an ongoing police investigation and in support of this, our school is continuing to assist police in every way we can.’
Mr Robertson was reportedly understood to have come to the attention of police following allegations he filmed – or attempted to film – students
In another email the principal reassured parents the school was ‘focused on the safety and wellbeing of your children’.
‘We would certainly make contact with you if we held any concerns about your child,’ the principal wrote.
For 24/7 confidential support in a crisis call Lifeline on 13 11 14