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SydneyDeveloping

Principal urges counselling after teacher charged with rape of Newington student

Deandra Kontou remains on education department payroll while facing nine child sex offences

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By LineZotpaper
Published
Updated
Read Time3 min
Sources6 outlets
The principal of a southern Sydney school where Deandra Kontou worked until her arrest has written to parents encouraging students to seek counselling, as the former Newington College teacher faces nine child sex offences including aggravated sexual assault.

Georges River College Senior Campus, Oatley, principal Anna Girginis contacted parents on Wednesday, a week after Kontou was granted bail in Sutherland Local Court, to address 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."

Kontou, 32, was charged last week after an Inner West Police Area Command investigation into allegations she sexually assaulted and groomed a Newington College student under 16 at the time. The charges include aggravated sexual assault, which under NSW law is equivalent to rape, as well as multiple counts of sexual touching, inciting sexual acts, and using an electronic device to groom the alleged victim.

She taught geography at Newington for two years and led a year 7 mentorship group before leaving in 2019. Police said the investigation restarted in 2025 after allegations had been conveyed to police in previous years.

Kontou had been permanently employed by the Department of Education at Georges River College Oatley Senior Campus since 2024, teaching society and culture, history and geography. She was removed from the school as detectives prepared charges. Her accreditation has been revoked by the NSW Education Standards Authority, and she remains on the public payroll on "alternative duties" while bail conditions ban her from teaching children.

The charges do not relate to her time at the Oatley school, and she is not accused of criminal wrongdoing while employed by the department.

Kontou was granted conditional bail and must report to Sutherland Police Station weekly, surrender her passport, and avoid contact with the alleged victim and prosecution witnesses. She is also banned from being in the company of a child without another adult present. She will next appear at Burwood Local Court on November 25.

A Newington College spokesperson said: "Newington College does not tolerate conduct by individual teachers that is in conflict with our professional standards or the law. As this matter is before the courts, we are not able to provide any further comment at this time."

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The case raises questions about how the NSW Department of Education manages teachers facing serious criminal charges, particularly when they remain on the public payroll while banned from teaching.
  • It highlights the duty of schools to support students and families when a staff member is charged, and the challenge of balancing wellbeing with legal proceedings.
  • The long investigation timeline, with allegations first raised years ago, may prompt scrutiny of how such reports were handled before charges were laid.

Background

In NSW, teachers accused of serious offences are often removed from classrooms while matters are before the courts. The system allows for placement on alternative duties or leave, sometimes with pay, until a conviction or other outcome. Newington College is a prestigious private school founded in 1863, which began accepting girls this year after a contentious decision. Kontou moved from that private school to a public school in Sydney's south before her arrest, and the allegations involve her time at Newington only.

Key Perspectives

Georges River College Principal Anna Girginis: Her letter prioritises student wellbeing, offering counselling and directing families to support services while the legal process continues. Newington College: The school says it does not tolerate conduct in conflict with professional standards or the law, but defers further comment to the courts. The Department of Education: Has removed Kontou from teaching and placed her on alternative duties, but continues to pay her while she is on bail and banned from contact with children. Critics and observers: Some may question why Kontou remained employed by the department while under investigation, and why it took until 2025 for the investigation to resume and charges to be laid.

What to Watch

  • Kontou's next court appearance at Burwood Local Court on November 25.
  • Whether the Department of Education reviews her employment status or pay arrangements given the seriousness of the charges.
  • Any examination of how the initial allegations were handled when first reported to police, and whether changes to reporting procedures follow.

Sources

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Articles published under the Zotpaper byline are synthesized from multiple source publications by our AI editor and reviewed by our editorial process. Each story combines reporting from credible outlets to give readers a balanced, comprehensive view.

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