Parents outraged over ‘insufficient’ communication regarding Brisbane teacher charged with grooming

Parents of a teacher facing grooming charges involving children in another state have slammed the school.

Carey fronted the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Parents with students at the school where a Brisbane teacher charged with allegedly grooming multiple children in another state was working have criticised the response in the days after the charges came to light.

Jayden Robert Carey, 30, was charged with 25 offences against children – including nine counts of grooming – this week after police allegedly uncovered incriminating images on his devices.

The Brighton resident, who has been working at a Queensland school, had allegedly solicited the photos from multiple children in Tasmania and transferred them money from his bank account. None of the charges relate to Queensland children.

In a letter to sent to parents on Thursday, the Queensland school acknowledged an issue involving a “member of our school community.”

The letter from the school’s principal, which has been seen by The Courier-Mail, said they were “unable to provide details during the ongoing investigation”.

“While I appreciate your desire to understand the specifics of this matter, I am sure you would understand that I am unable to go into specific details while the matter is being investigated,” it said.

The school reassured parents the “safety and wellbeing” of students and the community remained its “highest priority, adding: “We have support available for any students in need.”

“I want to reassure you that the safety and wellbeing of our students and our school community is our highest priority,” the letter said.

“I would like to acknowledge the difficult and unsettling circumstances that our school community may face as a result of this matter. In addition, any media coverage may potentially cause distress and anxiety for families.

“We have support in place for any students who may require it.

“I am happy to meet with any parent or caregiver to discuss their concerns.”

Jayden Robert Carey, 30, was charged with 25 offences against children.

A Department of Education spokesman confirmed Carey was “no longer an employee of the department” but said they were unable to comment further on the matter.

“Protecting the safety and wellbeing of students is the top priority of the Department of Education,” the spokesman said.

“Further guidance support is also in place for any students and staff that may require assistance.

The leadership team has met and spoken with parents to address their concerns as well as providing written responses to emails.”

The spokesman said parents and care givers with concerns were encouraged to discuss them with the school principal.

Brisbane Magistrates Court heard at Carey’s bail application on Thursday that he was dismissed from his employment as a teacher on Wednesday after the allegations came to light.

But some parents said the school’s limited correspondence left them “spiralling” on Thursday.

“The majority of the school knew nothing about it... everyone was spiralling like something happened to a child, or has there been a teacher that has done something,” one parent told the Sunday Mail.

The mother of three, who wanted to remain anonymous, said she felt she had to dig for information herself to uncover more details.

“He had been working at the school since the first term, year three and under and he was a PE and dance teacher,” she said.

The Queensland parent said the school has since provided parents with links to organisations such as Bravehearts to help them have conversations with their children.

“I told her (my child) straight away what he had been accused of because I want my child to know what they can be exposed to,” she said.

“...even at what they think is a safe place at school.”

Another parent told The Sunday Mail about the shock of discovering her daughter’s dance teacher was the man charged with alleged grooming.

“A lot of parents are frustrated (at) a school that has such a large amount of children, you need to know they are safe and looked after,” she said.

The parent urged the school to “tighten hiring processes” and to maintain an open door policy for discussions about Carey.

“It’s a horrible thing and way too close to home it’s where my daughter goes to school and one of my daughter’s dance teachers.”

Originally published as Parents outraged over ‘insufficient’ communication regarding Brisbane teacher charged with grooming