Parents at Aberfoyle Park High School told about 'porn teacher' inquiry 'before media named him'

PARENTS at a second Adelaide school have been told about a teacher's suspension over claims he accessed pornography using a student's logon at a former job.

A teacher suspended over downloading pornography at Reynella East High School using a student's login, allegedly did the s

PARENTS at a second Adelaide school were formally were told on Thursday about a teacher's suspension over claims he accessed violent pornography using a student logon at a former job.

The Aberfoyle Park High School community, in the southern suburbs, received letters explaining about the inquiry into the IT teacher, who taught there until last year.

The letter, signed by principal Liz Mead, was sent following inquiries from The Advertiser to the school over the past two days.

It also came a day after a similar letter was sent to parents by Rob Mutton, the principal of Reynella East College, where the teacher was suspended on full pay three weeks ago.

The letters were issued after the Sunday Mail revealed Reynella parents had not been told the reason for his suspension, prompting claims of a cover-up.

The decision to finally inform parents came after authorities insisted the Debelle inquiry recommendations prevented parents being informed.

Angry parents insist they should have been told immediately.

The Education Department refused to release a copy of the Aberfoyle Park letter - developed "jointly" between bureaucrats and the school - arguing it was correspondence for the community.

But in her letter to parents, Ms Mead wrote that she wanted parents to know "before the media decides to name our school also".

"You would have seen the considerable media coverage about a teacher at Reynella East College recently being stood down," she wrote in the letter that was later leaked to this newspaper.

"I am writing to inform you that the media may also potentially raise the matter of the teacher previously working in our school.

"I am concerned about this likely development, as the matters raised in the media relate to historic events at another school."

She confirmed that police were not investigating because officers had "determined that no criminal offending has occurred".

"The Department is currently reviewing these historical events and the decisions taken at that time," she said. Once the investigation was complete, "further advice" would be issued.

Ms Mead has refused to return calls or respond to inquiries over the past two days.

A school spokeswoman said she was "unavailable" and referred inquiries to the Education Department.

It remains unclear how long the teacher had taught at the school. He started at Reynella this year. Opposition leader Steven Marshall today attacked the government's handling of the issue.

"The Weatherill Labor Government has once again stayed true to form by only addressing education issues once they are pursued by the media or the State Liberals," he said.

The developments came as the suspended teacher, a father-of-three, aged in his 40s, is facing a department investigation and a Teachers Registration Board inquiry into his actions while teaching at Naracoorte High School.

The teacher was investigated and "disciplined" for using a pupil's school internet account in 2004 to access pornographic sites, including those featuring "rape''.

Two years later he again breached the department's code on internet use at the Southeast school.

The unnamed student, now 24, was incorrectly blamed for the downloads but last year received $30,000 in hush money from the department.

The department and Reynella school have faced a backlash from angry parents after they claimed the department inquiry into the teacher did not involve "child safety issues".

It emerged last night that two other people from Reynella East College have been charged with child-sex offences. Details about those cases cannot be published for legal reasons.

Education Minister Jennifer Rankine has admitted it was "a pretty appalling situation" if the circumstances were "true" and "seriously questions someone's credentials to teach in our schools".

Ms Rankine, who has stressed she was not pre-empting any investigation, disclosed that it was "found on the balance of probabilities that [the teacher] did this".

There was no sign of the teacher at an address in Adelaide's west today. He has insisted it was investigated and dealt with at the time.

ABERFOYLE PARK HIGH SCHOOL'S LETTER TO PARENTS

Dear Parents and Caregivers

You would have seen the considerable media coverage about a teacher at Reynella East College recently being stood down.

I am writing to inform you that the media may also potentially raise the matter of the teacher previously working in our school.

I am concerned about this likely development, as the matters raised in the media relate to historic events at another school.

I am able to confirm that SAPOL is not taking any action in relation to these matters, as they have determined that no criminal offending has occurred.

The Department is currently reviewing these historical events and the decisions taken at that time.

Once the Department's investigation is complete, further advice will be provided to you. I understand the Chief Executive will receive an interim assessment by the end of November 2013.

I wanted to ensure that you have this information before the media decides to name our school also.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards

E Mead

Principal

Aberfoyle Park High School