A Wellington teacher has been charged with serious misconduct for breaching professional boundaries after telling a student he "loved" her and she was "all his."
The teacher appeared in front of the teaching disciplinary tribunal on Tuesday and has interim name suppression, reports Stuff.
He taught at an all-boys school for most of his career before moving on to an all-girls school, where the misconduct occurred.
The summary of facts revealed a number of inappropriate comments the teacher made towards the student.
It stated the teacher told the student he "loved everything about her," "missed" her, and would often lean his leg against her when he sat down next to her.
It was also reported the teacher would run-up to the student in the hallways and at one point said to her: "after Tuesday you will be all mine."
The teacher told the tribunal he was trying to provide support to the student and had no ill intentions, saying he would "never knowingly act in a way that would distress a student."
The Complaints Assessment Committee accepted the teacher was well-intended and there were no sexual or romantic meanings behind the comments but acknowledged his actions still had a negative impact on the student.
A decision is expected to be made in writing within six weeks.
