Former Rowville Secondary School bus driver charged with child sex offence
A former school bus driver at Rowville Secondary College has been charged by Victoria Police with a child sex offence.
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A former school bus driver in Melbourne’s southeast has been charged by Victoria Police with an alleged child sex offence.
The Herald Sun can reveal the bus driver, who worked at Rowville Secondary College in early 2021, was charged by police this week.
It’s understood the man, who is in his 50s, has been involved in car clubs across Victoria and previously owned a fleet business.
The school offers bus services for all students across both its campuses.
In a letter to families on Monday, the school said it wanted to share “concerning news”, relating to the bus driver.
“I am writing to let you know some concerning news regarding a former bus driver who was engaged as a driver for our school service in February and March 2021,” the letter said.
“While I have no information to suggest that any student of Rowville Secondary College has been harmed in any way, the Department of Education has recently advised me that this bus driver was charged this week with child sexual offence.”
The letter said: “Given the nature of these charges and his work driving buses for our school in 2021, I believe it’s important to inform you of this matter.
“Police investigations are ongoing and at this stage I am unable to provide any further information other than to confirm the criminal charge does not relate to our school.”
Parents from the school have told the Herald Sun they were “concerned” after receiving the school notice.
“Hearing something like this is so upsetting,” one mother said.
“To know that our children were in his care at the time is really concerning,” she said.
A Department of Education spokeswoman said the Department became aware of a criminal charge against a bus driver last week and communicated with parents at schools where he may have driven students.
“The bus driver was contracted as part of a chartered bus service,” she said.
“He has been stood down with immediate effect by his employer, Ventura.”
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