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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Sarah Basford Canales

Principal and three teachers plead not guilty to assaulting students at regional NSW school

Lawyers for the accused teachers entered not guilty pleas in Queanbeyan local court on Tuesday.
Lawyers for the accused teachers entered not guilty pleas in Queanbeyan local court on Tuesday. Photograph: Jonny Weeks/The Guardian

Four teachers, including the principal of a regional New South Wales school, have pleaded not guilty to assaulting two students.

NSW police allege the teachers assaulted the boys at school between August 2024 and June 2025.

A man and two women are facing one charge each of common assault against one of the boys in separate incidents. Police allege the incidents occurred between February and June 2025.

Another man is separately charged with assaulting one of the boys on two occasions in September 2024 and again between May and June 2025. The man is also charged with common assault against another boy in August 2024.

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Lawyers for the accused teachers entered not guilty pleas for all four in Queanbeyan local court on Tuesday. The teachers did not appear in person.

NSW police announced the charges in March as part of a joint investigation between community justice in Queanbeyan and the NSW education department.

The names of the teachers and the school involved cannot be published for legal reasons. Police said none of the teachers on bail were currently working at the school.

A spokesperson for the state education department said the allegations were “deeply concerning”.

“[Alleged] behaviour of this kind is unacceptable in any school,” a spokesperson said.

“The safety and wellbeing of students and staff are our highest priorities. The school remains appropriately staffed, ensuring support and continuity of learning for students.”

The matter was reported to the department’s professional and ethical standards directorate.

The case was expected to return to court in June.

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