Port Lincoln High School principal tells parents ex-SSO Andrew Page facing indecent assault on child charges

A student support officer at a major high school has faced court for the first time after he was charged with indecently assaulting a child.

A student support officer at a major Eyre Peninsula school has been charged with indecently assaulting a child.

On Thursday, Port Lincoln High School Principal Craig Akehurst penned a letter to parents advising them that student support officer Andrew Page had been arrested and charged with indecently assaulting a child.

The letter sent to parents on Thursday. Picture: Supplied

He said Mr Page appeared in court on October 16, with court records confirming he had been granted police bail to appear in court in Port Augusta.

In the letter, obtained by The Advertiser, Mr Akehurst told parents Mr Page had not worked in education department schools since August 1.

“The Department of Education is committed to keeping parents and caregivers informed in relation to this matter and I am writing to update you,” Mr Akehurst said.

“I invite you to contact me at the school if you have any concerns about the safety and welfare of your child.”

The offence of indecently assaulting a person under the age of 17 carries a maximum sentence of years 10 years in prison.

That maximum sentence rises to 15 years if the victim is under 15 years old.

A spokeswoman for the Education Department said: “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 who has worked in any capacity at a school.

“Two letters have been provided to parents and caregivers at Port Lincoln High School in accordance with that policy this year, to advise them that a staff member at the school has been arrested and charged with the aggravated indecent assault of a child.

“We have no further comment to make in addition to the contents of the letter, with this matter currently before the courts.

“Parents have been provided with contact points if they have any concerns about the safety and welfare of their child.”

Mr Page will appear in court again in February.

Originally published as Port Lincoln High School principal tells parents ex-SSO Andrew Page facing indecent assault on child charges