Principals at public and private schools have sent letters to parents about a relief teacher charged with child sexual offences
The charges against a relief teacher who worked at about 40 public and private schools across Adelaide have been detailed.
A relief teacher charged with child sexual offences worked at about 40 public and private schools across Adelaide.
Principals at government, Catholic and independent schools have this week written to parents advising that a relief teacher has been arrested and charged with child sexual offences.
SA Police have said a 51-year-old man from the north-eastern suburbs was arrested on November 21.
He was charged with procuring a child for sexual activity, indecent assault and sexual abuse of a child.
The man has been bailed to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court in February.
An Education Department spokeswoman said a letter had been “issued by a number of schools where the individual has been employed”.
However, authorities are not releasing the full list of about 40 schools.
Parents of students at East Adelaide School, in St Peters, were sent a letter on Wednesday from principal Michael Koutsoukos.
“I regret to inform you that a temporary teacher who has worked at our school was arrested and charged with child sexual offences,” it says.
“There is no evidence at this stage that any child at our school is involved.
“However, I am concerned about the welfare of all students at the school because they may have had contact with the temporary teacher during the time the person worked at our school.”
Mr Koutsoukos said the teacher had been “instructed not to attend the school”, which has just under 500 students enrolled in reception to Year 6, and has been prevented from doing any child-related work or volunteering.
Another letter sent to parents of children at Catholic St Francis School said a former relief teacher who worked there had been arrested and charged with historical child sexual offences.
Blackfriars School principal David Ruggiero also issued a letter on Wednesday, confirming a former relief teacher who worked at the school had been arrested.
The letter said police investigations indicated “there is no need for concern for any current or former students at our school”.
The Advertiser understands a letter has been sent to parents at Adelaide Botanic High, with similar wording to the letter sent to East Adelaide School parents.
The Education Department spokeswoman said it “has a policy around informing a school community at the appropriate time whenever allegations of sexual misconduct are made against any person who has been involved in any capacity at a school,” she said.
“Given this matter is the subject of a police investigation, we are not able to provide more details at this time.”
Opposition education spokeswoman Heidi Girolamo described the news as “a deeply distressing situation for families at East Adelaide School”.
“Parents and students deserve clear information and strong support during such a challenging time,” she said.
Mr Koutsoukos asked parents to treat the information “as confidential”.
“I ask that you do not distribute this letter or post it on a website or social media,” he wrote.
“I will keep you informed of the progress of the prosecution and provide you with more information when we can.”
Mr Koutsoukos urged anyone with information “that may assist” to contact police.
SA Police are investigating.
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Originally published as Principals at public and private schools have sent letters to parents about a relief teacher charged with child sexual offences
