Yipirinya School principal Gavin Morris fronts Alice Springs Local Court over assault charges

A Red Centre school principal – accused of historic aggravated assaults on children – has faced court for the first time. Read what happened.

Gavin Morris, the principal of Alice Springs Indigenous school Yipirinya, outside Alice Springs local court on Tuesday, August 13. Picture: Liam Mendes

Only days after being charged for historic aggravated assaults against children, an Alice Springs school principal’s matter has made it to court for the first time.

Yipirinya School principal Gavin Morris is facing five counts of historic aggravated assaults against children, with his matter being heard in Alice Springs local court on August 13.

Mr Morris – who also sits on the Alice Springs Town Council – was charged by police on Thursday, August 8.

Yipirinya School principal and Alice Springs councillor Gavin Morris. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Currently out on bail, Mr Morris has been stood down from Yipirinya School on full pay, according to Northern Territory education minister Mark Monaghan.

Mr Morris attended the hearing in person, which was held before Judge Tanya Fong Lim.

Through his lawyer Luke Officer, Mr Morris pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Mr Officer sought a bail variation for Mr Morris, with Judge Fong Lim ordering he reside at an address in Braitling, alongside submitting a guarantee of $1000.

The matter was adjourned to September 26, with Mr Morris excused from attending the next hearing.