Bendigo Senior Secondary School teacher Kirsten Louise Thomas charged by Bendigo Sexual Offence and Child Abuse Investigation Unit

Bendigo sex crime police have charged a local high school teacher in relation to historic allegations involving a student in the 2000s.

Bendigo Senior Secondary College. Picture: Facebook

Bendigo sex crime police have charged a Bendigo Senior Secondary College teacher in relation to historic allegations involving a student in the 2000s.

Kirsten Louise Thomas is set to face Bendigo Magistrates’ Court in July charged by the Bendigo Sexual Offence and Child Abuse Investigation Unit.

School principal Dale Pearce revealed the teacher had been charged in a message sent out to parents.

It is understood Ms Thomas taught VCE Theatre Studies and Drama and worked at the school until as recently as July 2023.

Ms Thomas was suspended from teaching on April 3, according to the Victorian Institute of Teaching’s Register of Disciplinary Action.

Mr Pearce was contacted for comment but said BSSC was unable to make a statement while the matter was before the court.

It is understood the school is offering support to students and families.

An education department spokesman said the charges were “extremely distressing for the school and local community”.

“We encourage anyone who has experienced any form of abuse as a current or former student at a Victorian government school to report it to both the Department of Education and to Victoria Police so we can support them and take appropriate action,” he said.