By Cleo Fraser
Teachers are being warned to check their Facebook privacy settings after photos of an Auckland assistant principal wearing a bikini and underwear were posted publicly online and linked to the school's website.
The images of Glen Eden Intermediate School assistant principal Kylie Fullerton have raised questions about what is appropriate for teachers to post online and where the line is drawn between their public and private lives.
Ms Fullerton's Facebook profile picture, which shows her wearing a red bikini, and information about where she works can be viewed by anyone browsing the internet.
The school's name is linked to a Facebook page which directs users to the school's website.
There is another image on her page in which she is wearing a bikini and another public image is of her wearing black high heels, black lacy underpants and a white business shirt.
One friend comments that she looks "hot, hot, hot" and another says she's "smoking".
In comments about the photo Ms Fullerton says she had been trying to make the image private and was surprised it was still public.
Another public image is of a quote which says: "Everybody is always so f***ing "fine", in which Ms Fullerton comments: "F*** world. This is me stamping my feet and shaking my fist at you".
Glen Eden Intermediate School Principal Terry Hewetson said he would be speaking to Ms Fullerton about the images.
"I think I need to have a discussion with her around that," he said.
Mr Hewetson says teachers are spoken to in general terms about the ethics and code of conduct in relation to posting public information and images online.
Post Primary Teachers' Association (PPTA) president Robin Duff said there are no "hard and fast" rules for teachers using social networking websites.
"You need to ask yourself: `if a complete stranger were to read this, or a parent or student, would this be considered sensible or inappropriate in any way as a professional'?".
Mr Duff says he strongly recommends that teachers who use Facebook or other websites check very carefully whether their images or comments are open to the public.
NZN