Close to 30 victims of jailed paedophile primary school teacher Vincent Reynolds are taking legal action against the 79-year-old and the Department of Education, following "catastrophic" failures by authorities to protect the students.
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Judge Gabriele Cannon noted Reynolds had been put on notice during his offending, which started in 1960 and didn't stop until he was charged in 1992, and wondered if things would be different if the authorities properly intervened.
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Judge Cannon said it was extraordinary the Education Department allowed him to return to teaching in 1981 following a complaint the previous year.
The department's own psychologist was frustrated.
"It is absolutely bloody stupid sending you back to the classroom because you'll just keep on doing it," he said at the time.
Reynolds was promoted and made a vice principal at Beechworth.
Complaints were made in 1960, 1980 and 1988, but charges weren't laid until 1992.
Rightside Legal partner Grace Wilson said five victims had matters pending in the Supreme Court with about 25 to come.
She spoke with victims in Wodonga on Thursday after the sentencing.
"It's put in mind the worst excesses of the Catholic church," she said.
"He was caught time and time again, and moved time and time again, and even promoted.
"The Education Department was putting its reputation and his reputation over the safety of the kids in their care.
"We're working for a lot of complainants, but of course there is little doubt in my mind there would be numerous other survivors who weren't involved in the police prosecution, but who nonetheless would be entitled to bring civil claims."
While Judge Cannon was critical of authorities' failure to take action at the time the complaints were made, victims have praised the work of police in the latest investigation, which started in 2012.
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