The principal of a NSW Catholic school has come under fire for using an "inappropriate and offensive" image during a speech to high school graduates and their families.
The image, which was removed by Facebook from its social media network last year, shows a mother and her two daughters gagged with tape and tied up with Christmas lights, while her husband sits holding a sign saying "peace on earth" and his son gives the thumbs up.
It was used by McAuley Catholic College principal Mark O'Farrell as a backdrop during his graduation speech in September at the school in Clarenza, near Grafton in northern NSW.
Mr O'Farrell, the former director of curriculum at Waverley College in Sydney's eastern suburbs, projected the image while espousing "gospel values" to the year 12 students set to begin their HSC this week.
It was his first graduation speech to the school after taking over the leadership of the college earlier this year.
"We have wanted you to be the example for other in speech, conduct, love and faith. We have challenged you each day to live the gospel values," he told the audience of 600 before referring to the "relationship that existed between parents and school" and "Jesus and the woman who sinned".
A parent at the school, who asked not to be named, said she was disgusted by the principal's actions and was worried about the impact the image would have on young girls who attend the co-ed school in Clarenza.
"The more I look at it, the more I hate it. It makes me feel sick. This man is in charge of a Catholic school. Catholics are supposed to have morals," she said. "We send our kids there to learn how to be good people."
The Director of the Lismore Catholic Schools Office, David Condon, said the office had received several written complaints from parents and staff about the use of the image.
"I spoke with the principal the next day and advised him of its inappropriate and offensive nature," said Mr Condon.
"The complaints received are currently being investigated by the Catholic Schools Office."
Mr O'Farrell apologised for the image in a newsletter the day after the speech.
"It has been brought to my attention that one of the images used in my graduation presentation may have offended," he wrote. "I apologise if I offended any parent or student present as no offence was intended."
Mr O'Farrell declined to answer Fairfax Media's questions over why he used the image and what its intended purpose was.
The image first stirred controversy in 2015 when it was posted on social media by a studio based in the US state of Louisiana.
Following a public backlash Facebook removed the photo.
Photographer Hannah Hawkes defended the image as a "comical Christmas photo" taken at the request of the family involved.
"I have been called every name in the book, and have received some very hateful and vulgar comments and messages," Ms Hawkes wrote on Facebook.
"I would like to say that as a female I do not and have never promoted violence to women!" she wrote. "I do not support abuse, or the degradation of women."
