Religious school probed over boundary breaches with students

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 05:24 · Archive

A NSW parliamentary inquiry heard allegations that teenagers at Redeemer Baptist School shared beds with teachers and saw the principal naked.

A NSW parliamentary inquiry on Monday heard allegations from former students of Redeemer Baptist School in western Sydney that conventional boundaries between students and staff were regularly broken.

Edward Garth, 23, told the committee he witnessed principal Jonathon Cannon walk naked from a bathroom into a living room during a school holiday study-stay where he was staying in the same building. He said he reported the incident, but it was then reported back to the principal, the principal's brother Noel, and to Garth's own parents, who scolded him for raising it.

Former student Emma Hughes told the inquiry that the school's culture left students with much to "untangle" as adults. She said students occasionally shared beds with teachers in caravans or school-owned cabins during school camps away from parents to save space. Hughes stated nothing untoward happened during her stays, but noted that the students who shared beds were typically community members, suggesting those arranging it knew the practice was inappropriate.

Religious school probed over boundary breaches with students — Image: The West Australian

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How it is being reported

Naked principal, shared beds: religious school probedTeenagers at an insular church school regularly shared beds with teachers as conventional boundaries were broken, former students say.The West Australian · 12 Oct, 05:05
Naked principal, shared beds: religious school probedTeenagers at an insular church school regularly shared beds with teachers as conventional boundaries were broken, former students say.Perth Now · 12 Oct, 05:05

In this story: Redeemer Baptist School · Edward Garth · Jonathon Cannon · Emma Hughes · Noel Cannon · western Sydney · NSW

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