Hutchins at centre of paedophile revelations

AT LEAST four paedophile teachers were simultaneously employed at one of the state’s most prestigious schools, a royal commission has been told.

Former headmaster David Lawrence and at least three teachers at Hobart’s The Hutchins School abused an unknown number of boys during the 1960s – including one who was made to wait more than 20 years for an apology.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse yesterday heard harrowing stories of sexual abuse and trauma from four former Hutchins students.

One witness, known only as AOA, said he had first alerted the school of Lawrence’s abuse in 1993, but only received an apology within the past fortnight.

AOA said he felt ‘‘f---ing insulted’’ by the apology when it was finally delivered.

Counsel assisting the commission Angus Stewart, SC, said that in 2002, then headmaster William Toppin wrote to AOA telling him that the school had no knowledge of his complaints. 

‘‘The current school community [does] not consider itself accountable for the unfortunate events,’’ the letter said. 

A fellow student, known as AOB, told of his grooming and abuse at the hands of French language teacher Lyndon Hickman. 

The witness known as AOB said he had continually chased the school for more information about other instances of abuse by staff, but had been brushed off.

"I feel like the school has attempted to whitewash over this part of its history," he said.

"Until the school openly accepts what occurred in the 1960s I am not confident that it can understand the lifelong impact of child sexual abuse."

Two other witnesses said physical education teacher Ken "Ted" Dexter had instructed entire classes of boys to line up while naked so he could inspect them.

The witnesses also told of how they were both repeatedly abused by music teacher Ronald Thomas during lessons.

Mr Lawrence worked at the school between 1960 until he suddenly resigned in 1970.

The commission was told he died in England in the late 1990s.

Hutchins' barrister Neil Clelland, QC, told the commission the school now accepted that the four men had been abused during their time at the school.

"I am also instructed that the current board wishes to apologise for the hurt and distress caused to each of them," Mr Clelland said.

"The current board also wishes to acknowledge to AOA that an apology should have been provided to him at an earlier time."

Mr Toppin, current headmaster Warwick Dean and Anglican Bishop John Harrower are expected to give evidence at the commission at a later date.

The commission will continue today.