School teacher's web controversy in Black Rock

Leader Newspaper, 15 MAR 11 @ 01:23AM     BY MARNIE REID 

A  BLACK Rock primary school teacher’s controversial web postings are being investigated by the Education Department.

The offensive MySpace content and other web page entries were posted some years ago by Year 5 teacher Elissa Luiten, but parents recently discovered the posts, triggering a split in the school community. Some of the remarks are racist and pages contain at least one lurid photograph.

Ms Luiten, 23, told the Leader she posted the content when she was a teenager.

“They are the views of a 17/18-year-old and not the views I hold today,” Ms Luiten said.

The remarks included: “I love a good fight, as long as someone I love isn’t in it.”

One concerned parent alerted the Leader on March 4, soon after the MySpace material was taken down. The parent claimed some of the photos were still on the internet.

Ms Luiten is in her first teaching post. Her mother, Julie, is the principal.

The school community is now divided between those who support the teacher and parents who want her removed.

One anonymous parent group wants Ms Luiten to leave, and has asked the Education Department to investigate.

Department spokeswoman Vanessa O’Shaughnessy said it would take “the appropriate action”.

Upset parents on March 7 wrote an open letter to Black Rock Primary principal Julie Luiten.

“We are shocked at the images and text, which we saw on the site,” the letter read.

But Ms Luiten’s colleagues and at least one parent of a former student have backed her.

Teachers last week signed a petition of support.

Psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg said people must understand that anything they post on the web is permanent and for everyone to see.

“It’s a valuable lesson that when you are on a social networking site be really careful what you say and do,” Dr Carr-Gregg said.