Oxenford State School parents in shock over arrest of principal Patric Brady

Parents of students at a Gold Coast state school said they were keeping their children at home on Thursday amid shock over the arrest of its principal.

Parents of children at Oxenford State School said they were keeping their children at home on Thursday amid shock over the arrest of principal Patric Brady.

The 54-year-old has been accused by police of possessing child exploitation material and using encrypted messaging apps to groom children in the Philippines for sexual activity.

He was charged with six alleged offences after police executed a search warrant at his Pimpama home on Tuesday evening.

Parents of children attending the school were stunned by the development, with some opting to keep their children home.

“We are keeping the kids home,” one mum said in a comment on social media.

“Same,” another parent said. “I don’t feel like it’s fair on staff or children to be in that environment. It must be terribly stressful and upsetting for staff. I just don’t feel it’s in my child’s best interest to attend.”

Oxenford State School Principal Patric Brady.

A total of 529 children are enrolled at Oxenford State School.

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said support was being offered to the school community.

“The department is aware that a Department of Education employee was arrested (on Tuesday). The department is supporting the police investigation and is providing ongoing support to the affected school community,” the spokesperson said.

“Counselling and guidance services are available for anyone requiring support.”

A letter was also sent to parents on Wednesday afternoon.

In a statement police said there were “no allegations” that the man’s alleged offending was related to his job at the school and there were “no indications at this time that any children at the school have been victimised”.

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Originally published as Oxenford State School parents in shock over arrest of principal Patric Brady