Mark Oliphant College asks parents not to share letter informing them of teacher Clayton John Page’s arrest on child grooming charge

A northern suburbs school has addressed “distressing” news after a primary school teacher was arrested and charged with child grooming in a letter released to parents.

A northern suburbs school has addressed “distressing” news after a primary school teacher was arrested and charged with child grooming in a letter released to parents.

On September 6, Mark Oliphant College primary school teacher Clayton John Page was arrested and charged with one count of communicating with the intent of making a child amenable to sexual activity.

The veteran teacher, who, according to his LinkedIn profile, taught at several primary schools across the state over the past 15 years, pleaded guilty to the charge in the Adelaide Magistrates Court last Tuesday, October 3.

Two days after his arrest, Mark Oliphant principal Kerry Williams penned a letter to parents and caregivers which has been supplied to The Advertiser by concerned families.

In the letter, Ms Williams asked receiving families not to post the contents on social media, but reassured parents that their children were not involved in Page’s offending.

“I regret to inform you that a teacher at our school, Mr Clayton Page, has been arrested by police and appeared in court on 7 September 2023 charged with a child sexual offence,” Ms Williams wrote.

A letter from MOC that was sent around to parents/caregivers after Page's arrest. Picture: Supplied

Primary schoolteacher Clayton Page pleaded guilty to one count of communicating to make a child amenable to sexual activity. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE / Emma Brasier

“Police have advised the Department for Education that they do not have any objections to the department informing the school community and this is why I am writing to you today.

“You have been given this information in confidence because you have a child at our school. I ask that you do not distribute this letter or post it online or on social media.”

Ms Williams went on to disclose that Page had been granted bail, however, conditions had prohibited him from returning to any child related work.

“I understand this is distressing information. If you have any concerns about the safety and welfare of your child, please feel free to contact me directly at the school.”

At the time of his arrest, a spokesman from the Department of Education told The Advertiser that the school had “kept up” with protocols requiring them to inform the community of any sexual misconduct allegations.

“In keeping with the protocols laid out in the Debelle Report, the Department for Education has a policy around informing the school community at the appropriate time whenever allegations of sexual misconduct are made against any person employed in any capacity at the school,” the spokesman said.

“The staff member is prevented from attending any school or engaging in child-related work. They have been directed away from the site.”

Page was arrested by members of South Australia’s elite Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team after sending sexually explicit messages to a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl.

That person, however, was revealed to be a covert police officer.

Court documents released to The Advertiser revealed the extent of his offending, which included Page asking the “year 9 student” if he could set her “naughty shower homework.”

“I have never chatted with anyone your age. So I wasn’t sure what you’d think if I said it turns me on a bit,” he said to the undercover officer.

“I have a small confession … hope it doesn’t freak you out. Makes our chatting even naughtier – I’m a teacher,” he wrote.

“Wag school on Friday and I’ll meet u lol. I can pretend to be your dad or maybe uncle.”

Page will return to court for sentencing in December.

There is no suggestion that Mark Oliphant College was aware of the offending before his arrest.