Teacher at prestige girls’ school charged with sex assault of student

A teacher at Melbourne’s prestigious Methodist Ladies’ College has been charged with the sexual assault of a student.

In an email to parents, the school said police had notified it that Kam Kenny-Jones, a teacher at the school until just weeks ago, had been charged at the weekend with one count of sexual assault of a child under 17.

MLC principal Julia O’Shea said the news was confronting and unsettling but she felt it important to update the school community in a clear and timely manner.

“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,” she wrote in the email sent on Monday.

“His employment was subsequently terminated.”

The principal said she decided not to communicate directly to students because parents were best placed to decide how to talk to their child.

“I am sharing this information with families as soon as I can, as I wanted our families to hear this news directly from me, rather than through the media or elsewhere.”

A school spokesperson confirmed the teacher was sacked last month before police laid charges.

“The principal and other senior school leaders have also personally contacted the parents of students who had classroom contact with Mr Kenny-Jones,” he said.

The Kew school said its focus was on caring for students and staff, ensuring support was available for them.

“As this matter is before the courts, it would not be appropriate for the college to comment further.”

Kenny-Jones taught students in years 7 to 12 in various subjects.

According to his social media pages, he was at the school for five years, and formerly worked at Vermont Secondary College.

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