Primary school principal charged with possession of child abuse material
A primary school principal in Victoria’s south-east has been charged with possession of child abuse material.
Parents of children at Langwarrin Park Primary School were told by letter that school principal Richard Barren had this week been charged “with a criminal offence relating to child abuse material.”
Langwarrin Park Primary School Principal Richard Barren..
Senior Education Department official Michael Devine wrote that there was an ongoing police investigation into Barren.
“I wanted to inform you as soon as possible and let you know of support available for anyone impacted by this news,” the letter reads.
“It is important that you know that at this stage there is no information to suggest that any student at the school has been impacted by the alleged offending.”
Barren told the school community in November that he intended to take long service leave.
“I would like to let you know that my last day of the school year will be next Friday (6th December). I am heading to the USA with my family for seven weeks,” Barren’s message said.
“Time will be spent attending NBA, NFL and Ice Hockey games… and probably experiencing every extreme ride there is at all the different theme parks.
“I know I will see many of you next week in the playground. If I don’t, I would like to thank you for your ongoing support this year. All our kids have achieved so much this year, which is a credit to you and the teachers and staff they have had across the year.”
