2 Ashbury College teachers 'exonerated' of sex assault cover-up allegations

Two Ottawa private school teachers have been "fully exonerated" of allegations they covered up the sexual assault of a 16-year-old student during a school trip to Boston, Mass., eight years ago, according to the head of their school.

Ashbury College teachers Alyssa Novick and Ian Middleton won an appeal in Ontario Divisional Court after being found guilty of professional misconduct by an Ontario College of Teachers disciplinary committee in February 2014.

"Both Alyssa and Ian hold distinguished teaching records and regularly receive positive reviews from students, parents and alumni. They have continued to be significant assets to the school in their classes and for what they bring to their respective co-curricular activities. We very much look forward to their continued contributions to the school community," school head Norman Southward said in a written statement.

Novick, a history and geography teacher, and Middleton, a history teacher and rugby coach, were supervising a school trip in November 2007 when a male student was sexually assaulted by his male classmates.

Novick and Middleton were accused of failing to immediately notify the student's parents about the sexual assault.

Novick was also accused of falsely telling the parents the student did not want to report the incident to police and discouraging the student from reporting the sexual assault to police.

"All allegations of professional misconduct made against the teachers have now been dismissed," Southward said.

Southward added that he will reserve further comment until the court's written decision is released in the new year.