Breaking News

I just want my teacher back

10 May 2008

NARRAWEENA Public School students and their parents have rallied behind one of their favourite teachers who has been dismissed for posing nude in Cleo.

Five-year-old Christabel O'Neill, cried for several nights after finding out Lynne Tziolas wasn't teaching at her school any more. She had a message for her Year 1 teacher yesterday.

 ``Bel misses you a lot and wants you to come back soon,'' she told The Manly Daily.

The Year 1 student is just one of many from across the community who are now helping to raise petitions in a bid to bring the popular teacher back to the classroom. Year 6 student Josephine Galloway said she loved Mrs Tziolas and missed her a lot.

``She's so kind and nice and we want her to come back.''

Parents and students of the school community are angry at the way the matter has been handled with children told the reason for the teacher's absence was a sore throat.

Twenty-four year old Lynne Tziolas from Church Point was told she need not bother returning to school last week after an article featuring her and her husband Antonios, and details of their bedroom habits, appeared in the sealed section of Cleo.

Ms Tziolas has decided to launch an unfair dismissal claim against the NSW Education Department.

  There are several petitions now circulating between parents demanding the school and the department rethink its decision.

A formal complaint will be lodged at a Parents and Citizens meeting in two weeks.

Mrs Tziolas said she had been overwhelmed by messages of support and would do the same thing over again given the choice.

``It's been full ball,'' she said. ``Nearly every single person I've spoken, if not all, has been very supportive.''

She has also received overwhelming support from people across Sydney, after more than 60 The Manly Daily readers left mostly positive comments on the website.

The Daily has also been inundated with letters and phone calls from people across the northern beaches after revealing Mrs Tziolas' situation yesterday.

More than 50,000 people have read the story on The Daily Telegraph's website and almost 4000 people have voted on an online poll, which shows 82 per cent of readers believe she should be re-instated.

Narraweena Public School parent Deborah Galloway said she was an excellent teacher.

``What she does in her own time is her own business,'' she said. ``I've known her for two years and the kids love her and want her back.

``She's teaches from the heart and I'll back her 100 per cent.''

Justine Bosschieter said her children had been disrupted by Mrs Tziolas' removal. ``We're just really upset by it all,'' she said. ``The school has handled this completely the wrong way and we want Mrs Tziolas back at the school teaching our children.''

An Education Department spokesman said the matter was being investigated.

``The teacher made inappropriate sexual comments in a Cleo magazine article,'' he said. ``Several Narraweena parents complained to the school about this article and the accompanying photographs. The teacher was employed at the school on a temporary basis and the school has ceased her engagement.''

 

• What they said

 ``There is an element of cowardice in this whole matter. `We received a complaint' (from the Education Department) in no way justifies taking this sort of action. People in positions of responsibility need to develop and maintain intestinal fortitude. A leader must listen to people's complaints but then ensure that his/her actions are just, responsible and above-all courageous.''

 David of Artarmon``Teachers play a important part in young people's lives and I wouldn't like this one as a role model for my children. A school is not the right platform to exhibit her deviate and unethical life's standards. There are many other places for that.''

 G. Scifo

``You go girl, I wouldn't worry to (sic) much of what they think. I applaud you for standing by your actions and disgusted how a 6-year-old may come to read the article. Take them for all they got babe, I read the article and it was done very tasteful.''

  Jessica of Roxby Downs

 ``I didn't realise becoming a teacher would strip a person of their personal freedom. In any field of work there is a code of conduct which must be observed, however outside of the workplace people have the freedom, in this country, to pursue their own private lives in whichever way they wish within the law. Or at least that is the country I believed we all lived in.''

 Elissa of Melbourne

 ``I totally support Mrs Tziolas. I am a parent at Narraweena Public School and know of her wonderful teaching abilities. She is loved by students and parents. One of the reasons I choose the public system is because I didn't think such narrow-minded behaviour went on within it. Shame on you, Maurice Brunning.''

  Sandra Kidd of Dee Why

``Mrs Tziolas’ predicament is self-induced and demonstrates a lack of judgement. Some consultation with her principal before the event could have saved a lot of distress.’’

 Doug Walker

``Save us from the morality police. The fact that her student's parents are on her side proves she is good at her job. I think Australia is entering a new era of prudishness.

 Shaw of Sunny Welland

``I am an ex Narraweena PS student, I now attend Cromer campus. Mrs Tziolas was one of the BEST teachers I have ever met. I think she should be reinstated.’’

 Sarah of Collaroy Plateau

``Ms Tziolas' skills and standing as a teacher should be the only business of her supervisors and employer. She has not broken any laws. The magazine is not part of the school curriculum. Where is the limit to what teachers can do in their personal lives? Is there an over-supply of good teachers? I hope common sense is applied.''

  Jo Mulholland

STORIES IN THIS SECTION:

• I just want my teacher back
• Costly school photos
• Melinda's Mother's Day on the run
• Corso's lot as the gas leak alley
• Take a look into the future - it's scary
• In a league of his own
• Cop accused of arranging fake passport
• Marvellous awards for Daily duo
• Residents' fury over Avalon development
• Diggers stalwart dies
• Teacher sacked for posing nude
• Sausage glass: pet owners panic
• Ex-cop denies 'rip-off'
• Change to bus route worries travellers
• Renting for lifestyle
• Correction
• Shhh! Orchestra in training
• Council says sorry for DA home bungle
• 'No plastics' plan catches on up north
• Miller greets media frenzy