New claims of child sex abuse have emerged involving students and teachers at the prestigious boy's school where Marion Barter worked as a teacher up until her disappearance in 1997.

Marion ran the reception class at The Southport School on the Gold Coast and was universally lauded before she abruptly quit, giving just four days notice, to embark on a European holiday.

Former staff and students claim Marion’s last working environment was toxic and that reports of child sex abuse were covered up at the time, including an alleged victim who was also the six-year-old son of a teacher at the school.

New claims

Mary, not her real name, who worked at TSS at the same time Marion did, said there was a problem back then with paedophile teachers, but Marion wasn’t one of them.

The Southport School is one of Queensland’s most prestigious boy’s schools Credit: TSS Website

“I really loved working there - loved the boys - I loved working at the junior school, it was great, but it did have a few problems,” she said.

She said the teacher who molested her son was named Brian George Houston, not to be confused with Pastor Brian Houston, the founder of Hillsong Church.

Gold Coast teacher Marion Barter went missing in 1997. Credit: Supplied

Houston was a registered teacher in Queensland from 1978 to 1997, but following complaints from a group of parents who accused him of inappropriately touching their children, he left the school.

He was never reported to police.

“The school denied it when parents put their names forward and asked,” Mary said.

“My son was one of the boys who was, I suppose, molested… indecently touched by Mr Houston.

Chevron Right Icon 'My son was one of the boys who was, I suppose, molested...indecently touched by Mr Houston'.

“I made complaints about it and wanted counselling for my son and asked the school to pay for it, but the school wouldn’t pay because that would be admitting something on their part.

“I had to have him counselled because he wouldn’t leave my side for quite a long time - he was very clingy - so I had counselling for him.

“There was a group of parents… I think there was about four or five boys… they decided they didn’t want to put the school into disrepute, so they didn’t take it any further… so it was wiped under the carpet.

“I, indirectly, thought I would lose my job if I did anything else about it.”

Mary, who is still teaching, said she regrets not having done more at the time.

“If I knew what I know now and had my life experience behind me, I would’ve definitely done something about it,” she said.

Chevron Right Icon 'If I knew what I know now and had my life experience behind me, I would've definitely done something about it'.

Mary’s story is featured in the latest episode of The Lady Vanishes.

The podcast also names another teacher at The Southport School also accused of paedophilia by his son.

Anglican Church response

In response to the new historical child sex abuse allegations, the Anglican Church of Southern Queensland issued a statement.

“The Anglican Church urged anyone who suffered sexual abuse in any Anglican school or parish to report the matter to police and/or to contact the Anglican Church Southern Queensland Office of Professional Standards to receive the assistance, support and care that they require,” the statement said.

“We regard any professional misconduct or claims of sex abuse as a serious matter and in recent years we have strengthened considerably the policies and procedures that are followed when misconduct is reported.

Chevron Right Icon 'We regard any professional misconduct or claims of sex abuse as a serious matter and in recent years we have strengthened considerably the policies and procedures that are followed when misconduct is reported'.

“Student protection is a key responsibility of each Anglican School in Southern Queensland.

"Schools, working together with the Diocese, have in recent years achieved a consistent student protection policy and framework which exceeds community standards and expectations.

“Anyone with claims of sexual abuse can seek redress - through the National Redress Scheme - from the Anglican Church Southern Queensland, which is a registered scheme participant.”

How to help

If you have information about Marion’s whereabouts, you can email The Lady Vanishes: theladyvanishes@seven.com.au

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