A former Sydney teacher accused of raping and grooming a student remains on the public payroll while on bail over nine alleged child sex offences.
Deandra Kontou, 32, was arrested last week after detectives alleged she sexually assaulted a student in her care, who they believe was under 16 at the time.
Kontou has been granted conditional bail and is understood to remain employed by the Department of Education at Georges River College Oatley Senior Campus in Sydney’s south.
She was removed from the school following her arrest and placed on alternative duties. Her bail conditions prohibit her from teaching children, entering any school or taking work involving contact with children.
The allegations relate to Kontou’s previous employment at Newington College, an elite all-boys school in Sydney, rather than her current role. She taught geography there for two years before leaving in 2019 and later joined Georges River College in 2024.
The charges include aggravated sexual assault involving a person under the accused’s authority, grooming a child for unlawful sexual activity, and aggravated offences relating to inciting sexual acts, sexual touching and using a carriage service to groom a child for sex.
Kontou, who used her maiden name, Haralambidis, while working at Newington, is due to appear before Burwood Local Court on November 25.
The allegations prompted a letter to Newington parents from acting deputy head of the Stanmore campus, Mark Morrison, who described the news as distressing.
“Please know that our thoughts first and foremost are with the [alleged] victim, survivor and their family,” he wrote.
Mr Morrison added: “I acknowledge that this news may land differently for you depending on your personal circumstances and tenure at the College. We did feel it was important that you heard from the College and if you have any concerns, please contact me.”
A Newington spokesman said: “As this matter is before the Courts, we are not able to provide any further comment at this time.”
