Deandra Kontou:Principal addresses parents after former Newington teacher charged with rape

The principal of the southern Sydney school where Deandra Kontou worked until last week, when she was charged over the alleged rape of a Newington student, is encouraging students to seek counselling and contact professional hotlines while their former teacher confronts a string of child abuse offences.

Kontou, charged with nine offences against the Newington student, had for the past two years worked at Georges River College Oatley Senior Campus as police investigated the alleged attack that triggered her abrupt dismissal from the prestigious Sydney private school in 2019.

Deandra Kontou worked at Georges River College Senior Campus, Oatley until her arrest last week.Artwork: Michael HowardThe 32-year-old remained on the public payroll until Wednesday morning, when she was suspended without pay after her charge sheet and bail conditions were seen by Education Department officials. Kontou’s bail conditions ban her from teaching children and entering schools.

Police said the Newington student was under 16 at the time of the alleged abuse, and have brought charges of grooming, sexual assault and sexual touching against Kontou. She is not accused of criminal wrongdoing while at the Oatley school.

Georges River College Senior Campus Principal Anna Girginis wrote to parents on Wednesday, a week after Kontou was granted bail in Sutherland Local Court, to share information about a “matter of concern for our school community”.

“As you may be aware, a college staff member was recently charged with child sex offences,” Girginis wrote.

“Student care and wellbeing are our highest priorities. If you are concerned regarding the impact of this matter and wish for your child to access counselling, please contact the college to arrange this when classes resume.”

Deputy Premier and Education Minister Prue Car has ordered an urgent review into the hiring of Kontou at the Oatley school in 2024, which came after the child abuse allegations were conveyed to police.

The review will be helmed by Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar and, according to Car, will ensure “all correct processes” were followed before she was employed.

It’s expected to examine any correspondence between the police and the Education Department before Kontou was hired, and any issues raised about her character in the recruitment process.

The Oatley school community has been in shock since the charges against Kontou were reported by media on Monday.

One parent, whose daughter was taught society and culture by Kontou, petitioned Girginis for answers about Kontou’s employment on Tuesday, telling the principal she was “deeply concerned” the Sutherland woman was allowed direct contact with students while she was being investigated for child abuse offences.

“I believe parents are entitled to understand how student welfare and safety have been protected in this situation,” the parent wrote to the principal.

Girginis didn’t address in the letter whether the school was aware of the police investigation when Kontou was hired or over the course of her employment.

Kontou was removed from the school as detectives prepared the charges against her, and the NSW Education Standards Authority has revoked her accreditation. The final decision to terminate Kontou’s contract lies with the Education Department’s Professional and Ethical Standards Unit, which will hand down its findings once court proceedings are complete.

Kontou was dismissed from Newington in November 2019, shortly after allegations against her were conveyed to college staff. She taught geography and led a year 7 mentorship group while at the Stanmore college, where she went by her maiden name, Haralambidis.

Kontou worked as a teacher at Newington College for two years.Kate GeraghtyKontou was granted conditional bail in Sutherland Local Court last Wednesday to return to her home in Sydney’s southern suburbs. She is banned from contacting the alleged victim and any prosecuting witnesses, or being in the company of a child without another adult present.

Kontou is required to report to Sutherland Police Station weekly, surrender her passport and not enter an international point of departure from Australia. She will next appear at Burwood Local Court on November 25.

There are about 2000 students across Newington College’s Stanmore and Lindfield campuses. The school, founded in 1863, started accepting girls into its classrooms this year following a highly contentious decision that led to courtroom showdowns and a broader culture war over the merits of all-boys schools and toxic masculinity.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.

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