Letter to Stradbroke School parents as second relief teacher faces indecent assault charges

Parents at a school in Adelaide’s northeast have been informed of another relief teacher’s indecent assault charges – just weeks after educator Phillip Callen faced court.

Parents at Stradbroke School in Rostrevor have been informed of a second relief teacher charged with indecent assault. Picture: Google Maps

A second former relief teacher at a Rostrevor school has been arrested for alleged indecent assault, just weeks after educator Phillip Callen faced court over similar but unrelated charges.

A letter was sent to parents at Stradbroke School on Thursday informing them another former relief teacher had been arrested and charged with one count of aggravated indecent assault.

Stradbroke School principal Tanya Scanlan said the fresh charge did not relate to any students at the school.

“The information available to the school suggests that there is no need for any concern for any children at our school,” Ms Scanlan wrote to parents.

A letter sent to parents from Stradbroke principal Tanya Scanlan.

“If you have any concerns about the safety and welfare of your child, please contact me directly at the school.

“I understand this is distressing information, particularly given my recent communication regarding a separate matter involving another former temporary relief teacher.”

The former relief teacher, a 55-year-old eastern suburbs man, was arrested on October 19.

He has received bail and will appear in court later next month.

Parents with any information that may assist the police investigation have been asked to contact SA Police on 131 444.

The letter comes after similar correspondence was sent to Stradbroke School parents over indecent assault charges against former relief teacher Callen, 67, who appeared in court on September 8.

Callen worked across primary schools in Adelaide’s inner-south and the Hills over a span of 13 years.

Last month, parents at Burnside Primary School, Coromandel Valley Primary School, Aldgate Primary School and Stradbroke Primary School were informed of Callen’s arrest.

The 67-year-old also taught at prestigious Scotch College, Belair Primary School and Goodwood Primary School and Preschool.

The Education Department declined two requests from The Advertiser to provide a list of campuses at which Callen had taught.

He has not worked in department schools since November 15, 2021.

The South Australian Teacher’s Registration Board website shows the registration of Phillip Andrew Gerard Callen was cancelled on June 7, 2022.

Callen is due to appear in court again on November 3.