Canberra Boys Grammar School has confirmed a senior school teacher was charged with child grooming on Tuesday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In a letter to the school community, head of school Justin Garrick said the staff member was charged in Sydney with alleged offences related to using the internet to groom a person aged under 16.
"NSW Police have provided explicit assurances that the charges do not relate to boys of the school, nor to the teacher's employment at the school which commenced at the start of 2015," he said.
"I am very grateful to the NSW Police for their efforts and liaison and the school will co-operate fully should there be any requirement for the investigation.
"For legal reasons, we are not able to name the staff member concerned. However, I can confirm that he has been stood down with immediate effect. "
A NSW Police statement issued on Wednesday said the 26-year-old teacher was also charged with using a carriage service to transmit "indecent material" to a person under 16.
The Deakin man was arrested after NSW detectives assumed the identity of a 13-year-old girl and spoke with him on numerous occasions.
Police allege the man, who also works as an assistant sports coach, made a number of sexually explicit comments and spoke about meeting.
He was granted conditional bail and will appear at the Parramatta Local Court on June 29.
Dr Garrick said the teacher had a valid ACT Working with Vulnerable People clearance and that the Office of Regulatory Services, the ACT Teacher Quality Institute and other relevant authorities have been informed.
"Although I am relieved by police assurances that the alleged offence does not relate to the school or to children at the school, I appreciate nonetheless how disturbing this news will be to our community," he said in a letter to the school community.
"I felt it important to inform you as soon as possible after receiving confirmation and clearance from the police."
Dr Garrick said the arrest was a timely reminder of the importance of internet safety and of encouraging children to be open about their internet usage and to talk responsibly about this issue.
"Please have candid conversations with your children and encourage them always to report any concerns that they might have in relation to any inappropriate conduct online or otherwise," he said.
Dr Garrick said counselling was available to students who may need it and any parents with concerns could contact him personally.
