Under fire … Teacher Rhys Uhlich’s appearance on television has been criticised by family groups but supported by local parents.
By Kate Bonsack
PARENTS of children attending Newport’s Sacred Heart Primary School have shown support for its physical education teacher who last week came under fire from parent groups.
Twenty-four-year-old Rhys Uhlich made the top 14 in Channel 7’s television series Make Me A Supermodel, where early this month he posed in swimwear with a bikini-clad female contestant draped over him.
The pose raised comments from Parents Victoria president Elaine Crowle and Australian Family Association president Angela Conway, who told the Herald Sun the pose was inappropriate for a primary school teacher.
Ms Crowle told Star that teachers who appeared in a program like that were not being good role models.
“I’m sure his ethics as a teacher are wonderful. I don’t question his conduct when he has children in his care,” she said.
“But I think that type of pose sends the wrong picture to the students about their teacher.
“It was a fairly compromising position with the young woman with him.”
A parent from the school, Michelle, who did not give her surname, said not many people at the school had a problem with the pose.
“He’s a really nice guy and he’s popular, like most PE teachers are,” she said.
“I think if people are letting their children watch the show, that’s their problem.
“They can turn it off if they don’t like it.”
Another parent told Star that Mr Uhlich had done well and most people were proud of him.
“The school has shown support for him,” she said.
“The kids are excited to see their teacher on television. He’s very popular with the kids and he’s really good with them.”
The school’s principal, Joan Janssen, said the school community wished Mr Uhlich well.
“He’s a popular teacher with staff, students and parents,” she said. “We look forward to having him back at school.”
