Ex-Perth college physical education teacher banned after relationship with former student turned sour

A former physical education teacher at a Perth college has been banned after starting a romantic relationship with an ex-student after a night out — then ending it after finding him cheating on the risque platform Chat Roulette. Ade Jasmine Bambang was in her 20s while working at a co-educational primary and secondary school, which The West Australian has chosen not to name. She primarily taught physical education and health. In 2021, she taught a particular boy for one class a day, five days a week for three terms. In October that year, the boy left the school. The following month, Ms Bambang saw him again at a social sporting function and bought him bubble tea – leaving her name and phone number on the cup. In September 2022 — after Ms Bambang had quit teaching — the pair reunited at the Library Nightclub in Northbridge, where they talked about their relationships and had photographs taken together, including one kissing. “The student offered to take Ms Bambang out, an offer which she initially demurred, stating that it would not be a good idea,” a ruling from the State Administrative Tribunal revealed. “Ms Bambang later relented and the two arranged to meet up in person. “Ms Bambang began to see the student at least once a fortnight and the relationship developed to a point where it became a romantic (non-sexual) relationship. “During the romantic relationship, the two engaged in activities such as meeting up regularly to share meals, going for walks, conversations and minigolf.” On Valentine’s Day 2023, Ms Bambang wrote in a card that she loved her former student. However, the following month — after “discovering the student had become unfaithful to her by paying to engage in online ‘chat roulette’ with other females” — the relationship was over. But not the fallout. After WA Police decided they would not be taking any action, the Investigations and Compliance Branch of the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia became involved. A complaint of serious misconduct was registered. In October, the SAT revealed that Ms Bambang’s registration was cancelled and she was disqualified from applying for it for 12 months. “At the juncture you engaged in the behaviours above, insufficient time had passed for the power imbalance inherent to your teacher-student relationship to dissipate,” the ruling said. In her defence, Ms Bambang told the board that at the time she had gone through a divorce, which made her vulnerable. She has undertaken counselling and was not teaching.