A music instructor whose teaching licence was suspended after sending improper communications to a former Victoria’s Secret model while she was a student at his school has offered his four-bedroom house again.
Aurelio “Bobby” Gallo engaged in “grooming-like behaviour” with Australian model Bridget Malcolm while working as a teacher at the exclusive Methodist Ladies’ College in Perth.
The 53-year-teaching old’s licence was suspended for 3.5 years in August by Western Australia’s State Administrative Tribunal for “severe misconduct”; Ms. Malcolm later disclosed that she was the student at the centre of the episodes this week.
On Saturday, Mr. Gallo was also relieved of his duties as director of performing arts at Logan, Queensland’s John Paul College, where he now works.
Since then, the troubled teacher has placed the $1.3 million Queensland house he and his wife share as a development on the market once again.
The property comprises two homes—one with three bedrooms and a tennis court, the other with four bedrooms and a pool.
The residences might be converted into a daycare centre, nursing home, townhouses, or sold independently, pending council permission.
According to the description, “These two properties with flat acreage, shade trees, fish ponds, and lots of kid-friendly play places are excellent for cosy living.”
On the day the SAT verdict was announced, Mr. Gallo’s house was once again up for sale.
When Mr. Gallo, Ms. Malcolm’s music instructor, started to “build a connection” with her in 2007, Ms. Malcolm was a student at MLC.
While she was a student in her final years of high school and soon after she graduated, the top model got emails, SMS, and phone calls from Mr. Gallo.
In an email written on February 2, 2009, Gallo requested pictures and lamented that he hadn’t gotten any “topless” ones.
He said, “Glad to hear that you are being taken care of and also becoming mindful of others.”
You don’t always see what you need to, regrettably.
“[Name of another teacher] went on to tell me that she chatted to you for an hour and informed me of the topless images, which you definitely didn’t give me!!! The second-hand housing news was courtesy of [Name of another teacher]!!! Why not, if I may ask?
A day later, Gallo sent her another email about a unique charm he had given her.
Remember to cling onto the unique charm I gave you and focus on all the unique things that make you happy when times are tough; I know it will give you strength, he said.
According to court filings, these included requesting the then-teenager to email him photographs, meet up for dinner, and accept his Skype invitation.
The emails revealed Mr. Gallo requesting Ms. Malcolm for topless pictures after she finished school and concluding each email with the phrase “love always.”
On Saturday, when it was “public knowledge” that Mr. Gallo’s teaching licence had been suspended in Western Australia, the 30-year-old model posted an emotional video on social media.
Ms. Malcolm remarked, “I don’t really know how to say this, but I’m just going to come out and say it.”
‘Today, it was made public that my high school music instructor had his Western Australian teaching credential suspended for three years.
He lost his temper since I was the student who engaged in major wrongdoing while he was educating them.
I’ve debated whether or not to give up my right to remain anonymous since I was a minor at the time when everything occurred.
But as you are aware, I am no longer a minor.
I’ve experienced a lot of emotions today, and I’m still digesting and in shock. I’m scattered everywhere.
“I just want to say to my fellow survivors out there that you’re not alone, you’re stronger than you can ever know, and the future is waiting for you.”
Ms. Malcolm was showered with praise on social media for her “courage and bravery,” and the model promised to talk more about the situation later.
In March of last year, the Western Australian Teacher Registration Board initially received an email alleging improper behaviour on the part of Mr. Gallo. The allegation was then looked into.
The board concluded the music instructor had engaged in “grooming-like behaviour,” according to a document it released outlining its decision to suspend Mr. Gallo’s licence.
The board discovered that while the two had first corresponded through email on academic issues, the tone of their correspondence gradually shifted.
On July 14, 2007, Mr. Gallo wrote an email from his personal account requesting the student’s number.
After she graduated, he kept in touch with Ms. Malcolm through email, asking to meet her when she moved back to Perth.
Ms. Malcolm afterwards went on to work as a model for Ralph Lauren, Stella McCartney, and Victoria’s Secret in 2015 and 2016.
In an email written on February 2, 2009, her old instructor requested pictures and lamented that he hadn’t gotten any “topless” ones.
A day later, Mr. Gallo wrote her another email mentioning a unique charm he had given her as a graduation present.
Remember to cling onto the unique charm I gave you and focus on all the unique things that make you happy when times are tough; I know it will give you strength, he said.
Another email sent by Mr. Gallo to Ms. Malcolm in March was translated to show him informing her that “it seems extremely difficult at times to communicate what I want.”
The 53-year-activities, old’s according to the board, “constitute substantial misconduct,” making him unable to have a registered teaching licence.
He “breached professional limits in his improper relations with the student,” it was further discovered.
The “severe wrongdoing” was acknowledged by Mr. Gallo, who also agreed that it was “inappropriate.”
He has shown “understanding and sorrow” into his behaviour, the board ruled, and he denies grooming Ms. Malcolm.
The statement in the paperwork said, “The teacher’s acts were out of character and do not represent his performance or behaviour throughout the course of his career.”
Although the school is conducting an inquiry, John Paul College Principal Karen Spiller told a West Australian publication that she was not aware of any fresh claims against Mr. Gallo.
According to Ms. Spiller, “John Paul College took immediate action to stand Mr. Gallo down while we examine this situation further” after being informed of the decision.
Parents and employees were informed of the decision as well as the fact that Mr. Gallo was removed late on Saturday night.
Ms. Spiller commended Ms. Malcolm for having the guts to speak out.