In an email sent on Tuesday, O'Shea told former students that Victoria Police had confirmed Kenny-Jones, 32, had been charged with "Sexual Assault of a Child Aged 17 Under Care, Supervision or Authority". The message was directed at recent graduates and other alumni who may have known the teacher through school activities.
"I wanted you to hear this news directly from MLC given that some former students may have known or been taught by him," O'Shea wrote. "I appreciate this may be confronting and unsettling news, particularly for Old Collegians who knew or were taught by (the alleged offender)."
Kenny-Jones taught Years 7-12 at the Kew school from 2021 until he was dismissed last month. Victoria Police said he was arrested on Friday after his Thornbury home was searched, and the alleged assault occurred in July at Mont Albert.
There are discrepancies in the number of charges reported. Most sources state three counts of sexual assault of a child under 17, though The Age reports one count. Police confirmed the arrest but varied in their charge descriptions.
O'Shea said the school acted in September when concerns were raised: "In September, concerns about Mr Kenny-Jones were brought to the college's attention, and we immediately stood him down from his duties that day while we investigated and reported the matter to the relevant authorities, including Victoria Police. His employment was subsequently terminated."
The principal said she decided not to communicate directly with current students because parents were best placed to manage those conversations. The school has contacted parents of students who had classroom contact with Kenny-Jones.
7NEWS reports that O'Shea encouraged alumni with concerns to contact the school's Senior Child Protection Officer, stating "Our care for our students does not end when they leave MLC."
Kenny-Jones previously worked at Vermont Secondary College. The matter is before the courts and the school has declined further comment.