Former Methodist Ladies' College Teacher Charged with Sexual Assault of Student
Quick Look
- Former Methodist Ladies' College teacher Kam Kenny-Jones, 32, has been charged with three counts of sexual assault of a child under 17 following an investigation by Victoria Police.
- The school terminated his employment in September after identifying breaches of its professional boundaries policy.
- He has been bailed to appear before Ringwood Magistrates' Court on December 2.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Methodist Ladies' College is a private girls' school in Melbourne's eastern suburb of Kew. The school became aware of serious concerns regarding former teacher Kam Kenny-Jones in September, leading to his immediate suspension and subsequent termination after an investigation identified breaches of its Staff and Student Professional Boundaries Policy and Child Safe Code of Conduct.
In short:
Methodist Ladies' College in Melbourne's east has confirmed a teacher whose employment was terminated this year has been charged with sexual assault.
Former teacher Kam Kenny-Jones was charged with three counts of sexual assault of a child under 17.
What's next?
The 32-year-old has been bailed to appear before Ringwood Magistrates' Court in December.
A former teacher at a Melbourne girls' private school has been charged with sexual assaulting a child under his care.
Methodist Ladies' College (MLC) in Kew notified parents on Monday that former staff member Kam Kenny-Jones had been charged with sex offences by Victoria Police following an investigation.
The school said in a statement that Mr Kenny-Jones was stood down from his job in September after the school became aware of "serious concerns".
"He was immediately stood down that day from his duties while the matter was investigated and reported to the relevant authorities, including Victoria Police," MLC said.
"Methodist Ladies' College can confirm that Mr Kam Kenny-Jones' employment was terminated after the College identified breaches of its Staff and Student Professional Boundaries Policy and Child Safe Code of Conduct."
Mr Kenny-Jones taught students in years 7 to 12 at MLC until the end of last term.
Police said the 32-year-old was arrested on October 2 following the execution of a warrant in Thornbury.
He has been charged with three counts of sexual assault of a child aged 16 or 17 under care, supervisor, or authority, relating to an alleged assault on July 2 in Mont Albert.
Parents of students at MLC were notified of the charges on Monday via a letter from school principal Julie Shea.
"Given the nature of the charges, I have made the decision not to communicate this information directly to students," Ms Shea said in the letter.
"I believe parents and carers are best placed to decide whether and how to have this conversation with their daughter, so that she can hear this news from you and have your support as she processes it."
The school said Ms Shea had also personally contacted many of the parents of students who had classroom contact with Mr Kenny-Jones, and that support services would be made available for students.
Mr Kenny-Jones has been bailed to appear before Ringwood Magistrates' Court on December 2.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Kam Kenny-Jones will appear before Ringwood Magistrates' Court on December 2 to face the charges.
Very likely · Within weeks
The legal proceedings will determine whether there will be a trial or if the case will be resolved through other legal means.
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What specific actions led to the charges?
- Was the victim a current student at the time of the alleged assault?
- What support services are being offered to affected students?
- Will the school review its child safety policies following this incident?