The Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) has today conducted a formal hearing into allegations of sexual misconduct against suspended Carey Grammar School teacher, Eleanor Yorke.
It was alleged that, whilst employed as a registered teacher, Miss Yorke (pictured) had frequent and familiar communication with a 17-year-old student throughout 2020 and contacted the student approximately 35,000 times via Microsoft Teams, the VIT said in a statement following today’s hearing.
“It was also alleged that Miss Yorke then began a sexual relationship with the student after they had graduated and turned 18 and this relationship continued for a year,” the Institute stated.
The VIT alleged that while registered as a teacher, Miss Yorke engaged in serious misconduct in that she compromised a professional relationship with the former student by having a sexualised relationship within two years of the student completing their senior secondary school or equivalent. Â
The VIT also alleged that Ms Yorke engaged in serious misconduct in that she violated a professional relationship with a student by holding conversations of a personal nature without valid reason.
“With these allegations considered, VIT further alleged that Miss Yorke was not fit to hold teacher registration and that her registration must be cancelled.”
“The facts were agreed by all parties and Miss Yorke conceded that she engaged in serious misconduct and was not fit to teach,” VIT stated.
The hearing panel adjourned the matter to consider its decision, with a likely lengthy suspension and reasons to be given at a later date.Â
The Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) is an independent statutory authority for the teaching profession, whose primary function is to regulate members of the teaching profession to ensure quality teaching and provide for the safety and wellbeing of children.
