Former McClelland College teacher Orhan Sahin charged with child sexual offences

Orhan Sahin, who was a Year 7 to 10 science teacher at McClelland College before being suspended by the teaching regulator, will face court next month.

A former McClelland College Science teacher has been suspended by the teaching regulator after he was charged with serious child sexual offences. Picture: Supplied

A science teacher who worked with teenagers at a southeastern suburbs high school before he was suspended by the teaching regulator, has been charged with committing a sexual offence.

Former McClelland Secondary College teacher Orhan Sahin was suspended on an interim basis in June last year by the Victorian Institution of Teaching.

Almost a year on, the school has revealed it recently became aware Mr Sahin was charged with allegedly committing child sexual offences.

In a letter sent out to families, Principal Laura Dowdell Spence informed parents Mr Sahin worked at the school as a Year 7 to 10 science teacher from 2023, until May 2024.

He also worked at the school as a casual relief teacher in 2022.

“Given the serious nature of these charges, I wanted to ensure you were notified of this very concerning news as soon as possible,” Ms Dowdell Spence said.

“I will also be notifying families of former students who were here at the same time as Orhan Sahin, and who have since graduated.”

A letter sent to parents informing them about former science teacher Orhan Sahin's charges. Picture: Facebook

Ms Dowdell explained the school’s wellbeing team would be available to support students and offered a list of community support groups.

“I commend the courage it takes for people to speak up and report criminal or other concerning behaviour that they have experienced or that they become aware of,” she said.

When the school became aware of child safety allegations, they removed Mr Sahin from his role and immediately reported him to police.

He hasn’t been allowed to return to the school since June 13 last year, due to being suspended on an interim basis by the Victorian Institute of Teaching.

“We cannot comment further due to confidentiality provisions of our legislation and to avoid prejudicing any investigation,” a spokeswoman for the teaching regulator said.

A Department spokesman said the charges Mr Sahin was facing “were deeply distressing to the school and community concerned”.

“Our current priority is to ensure full support is available to anyone impacted,” he said.

“We encourage anyone who has experienced any form of sexual abuse as a current or former student at a Victorian government school to report it to Victoria Police and to the Department of Education so that action can be taken and victims can access support.”

Mr Sahin is due to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court for a mention hearing next month.