Whanganui teacher loses registration for inappropriate conduct

Rupert de Smidt has been struck off the teaching register by the Teacher's Disciplinary Tribunal for serious misconduct. The former Whanganui Girls' College maths teacher and house leader was found to have engaged in 'creepy' behaviour, including anonymously leaving gifts for a student over two years. These gifts, which included jewellery and a Valentine's Day card, were left in locations such as the student's school bag, car, and home letterbox.

The Tribunal found that de Smidt's conduct shared features commonly associated with grooming or stalking conduct. De Smidt was caught on CCTV placing jewellery on the student's car. An examination of his school-issued laptop revealed he used it to access sexualised and adult material during school hours, including pornographic websites and searches for women in bikinis. He also accessed the student's social media profile and school ball photos featuring her.

De Smidt was also found to have touched another student's thigh multiple times. In one instance, he knelt beside the student and placed his hand high up her leg and underneath her skirt. While the student initially felt she could not challenge the behaviour, she eventually reported the conduct to the school.

Following the initial complaint, de Smidt resigned and entered into a voluntary undertaking not to teach in New Zealand. De Smidt argued that the material accessed on his laptop was "less severe than in cases involving nudity, sexual activity, or exposure of students" but acknowledged it aggravated the seriousness of his conduct.

Where reports differ

• One report notes that the student's parents requested a change of class after she was reassigned to one of de Smidt's classes.

Compiled from reports by 1News and Otago Daily Times.