More schools unveiled as having Phillip Callen, charged with indecent assault of a child, teach at their campuses

The Education Department has refused to release the list of schools linked to a former relief teacher charged with a child sex crime – with more schools now embroiled.

A letter sent to parents at Burnside Primary School. Picture: Supplied/Google Maps

The education department has refused to release a list of schools linked to a former teacher charged with indecently assaulting a child, with at least six campuses now embroiled.

A letter was sent to parents at Burnside Primary School, Coromandel Valley Primary School, Aldgate Primary School and Stradbroke Primary School last week, informing families that relief teacher Phillip Callen had faced court on September 8.

Mr Callen also taught at prestigious Scotch College, Belair Primary School and Goodwood Primary School and Preschool, correspondence revealed.

He has been charged with aggravated indecent assault of a child.

Burnside Primary School Principal Susan Copeland wrote to parents that Mr Callen worked at the school for eight days in 2016 and one day in 2018.

Ms Copeland said in the letter the charge did not relate to a student at the school.

Burnside Primary School Principal Susan Copeland wrote to parents last week.

A similar letter was sent to parents at Goodwood Primary School.

Mr Callen worked at Scotch College Junior School between 1991 and 2003 and returned as a relief teacher for four days in late 2016.

The letter to parents from Scotch College said the charge did not involve a current or former student.

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

A spokesperson said the department had no further comment to make at this time, as the matter was before the courts.

The department did not answer questions over how many schools had contacted parents over Mr Callen’s charge.

Mr Callen has not worked in Education 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.

Parents at Goodwood Primary School and Preschool, where Mr Callen worked for a total of nine days between 2008 and 2021, were notified of his charge on Thursday.

Scotch College Primary School. Picture: Google Maps

A letter from Acting Principal Anthea Bartlett said the alleged incident did not involve any students from the school.

Belair Primary School Principal Rob Houston initially wrote to parents there on July 5 to inform them a former teacher, who also worked as a temporary relief teacher, had been charged.

Mr Houston wrote again to parents last Tuesday naming Mr Callen as that teacher.

The current policy on informing school communities of such cases was put in place following a 2013 inquiry by former Supreme Court Justice Bruce Debelle into the handling of an incident at a western-suburbs school.

The Debelle report recommended the Education Department create a policy “to inform a school community at the appropriate time whenever allegations of sexual misconduct are made against any person employed in any capacity at that school, and those allegations raise concerns as to the suitability of that person to work with children”.

Mr Callen is next due to appear in court on November 3.

Anyone with information that may assist the police investigation is asked to contact SA Police.