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Family First welcomes porn teacher's deregistration

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Tue, 03 May 2011 10:56a.m. UPDATED 2:24PM

Family First says a combined role of porn star and primary school teacher doesn't fit for most families and welcomes the deregistration of a former Auckland teacher who posed nude in a men's magazine.

Rachel Whitwell was investigated by the New Zealand Teachers Council (NZTC) after a member of the public complained her actions brought the profession into disrepute.

Ms Whitwell was featured in New Zealand and Australian editions of Penthouse in "various states of undress, including totally naked".

One picture showed her draped over an old fashioned school desk.

The magazine quoted Ms Whitwell as saying: "I am submissive in the bedroom because during the day I have to be in control in the classroom".

In submissions to NZTC's complaints assessment committee, Ms Whitwell said Penthouse was a lawful publication and she had done nothing illegal.

She said she was not working as teacher when she posed for the photographs.

NZTC found Ms Whitwell's actions constituted serious misconduct, reflecting badly on her fitness to be a teacher and the profession as a whole.

It ordered she be deregistered and pay costs associated with the disciplinary process.

Family First New Zealand national director Bob McCoskrie said teachers had a special status as leaders and should be respected.

"Modelling and selling naked photos to a pornographic magazine doesn't meet that standard. Associating the photos with her profession of teaching children is also unacceptable."

"The combined role of porn star and primary school teacher simply doesn't fit for many families. Parents would be just as concerned if a teacher was coming to school topless or teaching that pornographic magazines are harmless."

Ms Whitwell has said she plans to appeal.

NZPA

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Comments

15 May 2011 10:20a.m.

bukster wrote:

I used to be in the profession ans this sort of thing is typical. Teachers are judged on every aspect of their lives. If the school finds something in your private life that rubs them up the wrong way, they will make an issue of it. This is actually official action. Often this sort of thing results in a 'chat' in the headmaster's office about your resignation rather than any formal process. However this sort of thinking obviously extends all the way to the registration board.

09 May 2011 10:37a.m.

nigel wrote:

This is a very disturbing decision all it is does is reinforce the notion that sex is wrong, sex is bad and as far as the Christian right are concerned immoral and anti-god, sad that these people still have influence today. The Pagans understood sex for what it was and celebrated their sexuality regularly as a good thing that reinforced human bonds and ensured their continued survival. When an attractive young woman like Rachel Whitwell appears in a magazine she is doing the exact same thing, she is celebrating human sexuality and sharing hers with us. Ultimately it is a very kind thing for her to do and I for one hope she gets her job back.

04 May 2011 08:34a.m.

Gary wrote:

Family First seem to think that their own weird ideals rate higher than basic human rights - but thats typical of their kind. Ms Whitwell hurt no one - what about all the crooked cops who keep their jobs?

03 May 2011 11:44p.m.

moses wrote:

these people tell you to vote national and all national ever do is take the christian vote for granted , they never repeald a think , not a thing . its a joke thats why family first you cant mix christ with polotics its wrong look how you compromise your self in polotics . your belief in what gods word says .dont put the cart before the horse like you do get the people to christ the morals will take care of themselves get them to christ . see that is it the churches have long since left the word of god for dogmas and mans creeds and left the word . no wonder the morals are as they are they got another spirit another christ you can tell how the live and act and what they do etc .

03 May 2011 08:20p.m.

Monty wrote:

She broke no laws. Nothing she did was illegal. She was not a teacher at the time. Why does she have this restraint on her? How can she be punished for earning a living in a lawful way? I thought we needed good teachers.

03 May 2011 05:50p.m.

Ricsta wrote:

So, if I have this right, a member of the public was drooling over a "men's magazine" when he recognised the teacher and complained. Hmmmmmm.... And then, of course , the feminazis and their minions got her. Does anybody else think thaty this has a slight stink about it?

03 May 2011 05:08p.m.

key wrote:

What a backwards Victorian country this is.I couldn't see this happening in Berlin or Europe.Poor woman, appeal it.Are primary kids reading pornmags ?If they are they probably see ten times worse on the net.It would be interesting who the hypocrite was reading Penthouse and then complained.BACWARD OLD NZ

03 May 2011 04:55p.m.

Craig wrote:

I could comment about Graham Capill and his far more tangible injuries and torment caused to innocent children in this context. Or, for that matter, the Catholic clergy pedophilia epidemic. Somehow, I am deeply sceptical about conservative Christian claims to respect child welfare...

03 May 2011 04:21p.m.

Nik wrote:

I think the decision to have her deregistered is appalling. Who is she hurting by posing nude? I am a father and I would have no problem with her teaching my son. Further more... who saw her in the magazine and reported her? Perhaps a colleague? If this is the case then under the same misguided logic the colleague should also be deregistered. Or perhaps it was a parent of one of her past students? Again, under the same logic of the NZTC, that person isn't fit to be a parent! I feel sorry for Ms Whitwell. I fail to see how a few photograph's can impact on her ability to teach?

03 May 2011 03:32p.m.

Fred wrote:

'Porn star'??? I'd give up watching porn if her pictures were all there was to look at !!