The teacher was employed at the girls’ school from 2005 to 2008.
“The college discharged its legal responsibilities as required at the time in relation to this matter,” it said.
Loading
The emails included comments about looking up girls’ skirts in class and sexual fantasies about the students. NSW Police said they had investigated the matter in 2015 but found insufficient evidence to press charges against the teacher.
Cranbrook’s council said Sampson’s failure to disclose the matter to the school council,in the context of other allegations aired on last week’s ABCFour Corners program,led to “an irrevocable breakdown of trust” between the headmaster and the board.
The acting head of Cranbrook,Michele Marquet,saidin a letter to parents on Friday she would work with senior school head Bob Meakin to ensure “the stability and continuity” of the school’s operations.
“I understand there may be feelings of disbelief and sadness,which we are all experiencing. I am grateful for everyone’s support and together we will navigate through this transition with resilience and grace,” she wrote.
“I firmly believe that by coming together as a community we can overcome any challenges that may lie ahead.
“It is during these testing times that our bonds must grow stronger,and our commitment to our school’s vision and mission must deepen.”
The Bellevue Hill Anglican school,which counts among its alumni billionaires such as James Packer,Mike Cannon-Brookes and Will Vicars,is set to become co-educational in 2026.
Division about the speed of the co-ed move contributed to the mass resignation of its governing board in late 2022,and a new council was appointed early in 2023,elected by former council presidents Helen Nugent and Roger Massy-Greene.
Loading
The current board includes Old Cranbrookians Association president Martin Cayzer,and the Anglican Archbishop’s nominee Geoff Lovell,who was previously deputy chairman of SHORE’s school council and on the University of Sydney’s St Paul’s College council.
Federal Education Minister Jason Clare announced an investigation into the events that led to Sampson’s resignation,requesting his department look into “the issues raised in the media relating to Cranbrook and take any appropriate action”.
One current parent,who spoke anonymously in order to speak freely,said the council must urgently reassure the school community that “the issues raised are being dealt with”,and give parents and the community the chance to ask questions openly.
“You need an appropriate independent investigation into all allegations,” they said,including behaviour towards female staff.
“It is a relief that the head has left but many parents they want stability,but the problem is you have to examine the culture of the institution. That means the school will need to go through a painful process to guarantee the integrity of the school’s leadership.
“The council needs to reassure that the school community that the issues are being dealt with,And give the school community a chance to ask questions in and bring the whole school community along for this.”
Sampson,who resigned from his more than $1 million position on Friday,was due to oversee the school’s transition to co-ed in 2026 after he had his contract extended by the council last year.