Teacher Simon Phillips ‘indecently assaulted four schoolgirls’ at North Shore school
A TEACHER who has worked at some of Sydney’s elite schools has been charged with allegedly indecently assaulting four young girls. Simon Phillips, a married self-described rugby union tragic, was arrested at his home.
NSW
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A TEACHER who forged a career working at some of Sydney’s most prestigious schools has been accused of touching up young students in the classroom.
Primary school teacher Simon Phillips opened the front door of a Russell Lea home to a team of detectives early this morning.
The 51-year-old had been at the centre of a Child Abuse Squad investigation after a number of female students came forward alleging the teacher had touched them inappropriately.
The four victims were all allegedly assaulted at Mowbray Public School.
Mr Phillips, a married self-described rugby union tragic, started teaching at the school in 2015.
Court documents reveal how Mr Phillips allegedly touched four girls on the bottom and pressed his penis against the back of one girl.
He is accused of touching another girl on the breast.
He was charged with 13 counts of aggravated indecent assault.
Mr Phillips’s career has taken him across almost a dozen Sydney schools, including Scots College and St Joseph’s in Hunters Hill.
Mr Phillips also describes himself as an accredited sporting coach and was heavily involved in rugby and cricket programs at St Joseph’s in 2012.
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He has also taught at the Marie Bashir Public School and Harcourt Public School in recent years.
Detectives are looking closely at Mr Phillips’ entire employment record to determine whether there are other alleged victims.
The NSW Education Department said on Wednesday that Mr Phillips was no longer an employee.
In a detailed description on his LinkedIn account, Mr Phillips wrote that the secret to his success had been “translating the education experience in an accessible and engaging way for all”.
“...be it young students, teen students, parents, adult learners and recent refugees to Australia,” the social media account states.
“I also make sure it is fun along the way.”
Mr Phillips did not appear in Burwood Local Court when his case was mentioned briefly on Wednesday afternoon.
The case was adjourned until Thursday when he is expected to make a bail application.