Parents at East Adelaide School have been warned by principal Michael Koutsoukos after a relief teacher, who worked at about 40 public and private schools across Adelaide, was arrested and charged with child sexual offences.
The 51-year-old was arrested on November 21 and charged with procuring a child for sexual activity, indecent assault, and sexual abuse, and has been bailed to appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court in February.
In a letter to parents, Koutsoukos said: “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.”
He confirmed the teacher had been “instructed not to attend the school” and is prohibited from any child-related work or volunteering.
Koutsoukos asked parents to treat the information confidentially and urged anyone with information “that may assist” to contact police.
The Education Department stated schools are informed of sexual misconduct allegations at the appropriate time, while opposition spokeswoman Heidi Girolamo called the situation “deeply distressing” and stressed parents and students “deserve clear information and strong support.”
Source: The Advertiser.
