By Noel Towell and Hannah Hammoud
A primary school principal in Melbourne’s south-east has been charged with possession of child abuse material.
Richard Barren, principal of Langwarrin Park Primary School, was arrested on January 26 after returning to Australia from the US. The Australian Federal Police allege he was caught in a random baggage check with abuse material on his phone.
Langwarrin Park Primary School Principal Richard Barren..
Federal officers later searched Barren’s Mornington Peninsula home, where they seized more electronic devices before charging him with one count of possessing child abuse material accessed or obtained using a carriage service.
The 49-year-old, who is on bail, faced the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday. The case was adjourned and he is due back in court in late May.
Parents of children at Langwarrin Park Primary were told by letter that Barren had been charged “with a criminal offence relating to child abuse material”.
Senior Department of Education official Michael Devine wrote that there was an ongoing police investigation into Barren.
“I wanted to inform you as soon as possible and let you know of support available for anyone impacted by this news,” the letter reads.
“It is important that you know that at this stage there is no information to suggest that any student at the school has been impacted by the alleged offending.”
The Education Department told The Age on Friday that the alleged offending was “serious”.
“We are concerned about the serious nature of these charges,” a spokesperson said.
“As this is a matter before the courts, we are unable to comment further.”
Wellbeing support and resources are being offered to pupils, parents and staff at the school.
Barren, not currently working at Langwarrin Park Primary, told the school community in November that he intended to take long service leave for his trip to the US.
“I would like to let you know that my last day of the school year will be next Friday (December 6). I am heading to the USA with my family for seven weeks,” Barren’s message said.
“Time will be spent attending NBA, NFL and ice hockey games ... and probably experiencing every extreme ride there is at all the different theme parks.
“I know I will see many of you next week in the playground. If I don’t, I would like to thank you for your ongoing support this year. All our kids have achieved so much this year, which is a credit to you and the teachers and staff they have had across the year.”
Deb Haddow, who was acting as principal while Barren was on leave, has been appointed by the Education Department to continue in the role.
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