One of Melbourne's most elite private girls' schools has been rocked by allegations that a teacher sexually assaulted a student under his supervision.
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teacher → rock → supervision
Methodist Ladies' College, in the eastern suburb of Kew, stood down geography teacher Kam Kenny-Jones in September after the school became aware of the allegations and reported them to police.
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school → stand → police
The school confirmed to the Daily Mail in a statement on Tuesday that Kenny-Jones has since been sacked after an internal investigation.
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Jones → confirm → investigation
'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,' it said.
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it → confirm → conduct
'In September 2026, the College became aware of serious concerns about Mr Kenny-Jones.
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'He was immediately stood down that day from his duties while the matter was investigated and reported to the relevant authorities, including Victoria Police.
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matter → stand → Police
Kenny-Jones, 32, was arrested on Friday following a police search warrant of his Thornbury home and later charged with three counts of sexual assault of a child aged 16 or 17 under care, supervision or authority.
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Jones → arrest → care
Police allege the offending occurred in Mont Albert, about a 10-minute drive from the school.
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offending → allege → school
Methodist Ladies' College teacher Kam Kenny-Jones has been sacked after being charged with three counts of sexual assault of a child aged 16 or 17 under care, supervision or authority
Kenny-Jones had taught at the prestigious school since 2021
Kenny-Jones faced court and was bailed to reappear in Ringwood Magistrates' Court on December 2.
He had worked at Methodist Ladies' College since 2021, having previously taught at two other Melbourne high schools, according to his LinkedIn profile.
College principal Julia Shea broke the news to families as students returned to school on Monday for the first day of term four.
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students → sack → term
She and other senior school leaders have also contacted parents of students in Years 7 to 12 who had classroom contact with Kenny-Jones.
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who → contact → Jones
'We understand this news may be very confronting and unsettling for members of our community,' the statement said.
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statement → understand → community
'Our focus is on caring for our students and staff, ensuring support is available and protecting the privacy and wellbeing of students who may be directly affected.
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who → care → students
'The welfare of our students remains our highest priority.
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welfare → remain → students
As this matter is before the courts, it would not be appropriate for the College to comment further.'
More than 2,100 girls from Years K-12 attend the private day and boarding school in Kew, in Melbourne's east.
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School fees range from $25,740 to $44,904 a year.
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fees → range → 44,904
College principal Julia Shea broke the news to parents as students returned to school for the first day of term four
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students → break → term
Parents fork out up to $44,904 per year for their daughters to attend Methodist Ladies College
In an email to parents, Ms Shea explained why the college was unable to address the allegations until this week.
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college → fork → week
'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,' she said.
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she → share → media
'At the time, we could not share the circumstances surrounding his departure while the matter was under investigation.
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matter → share → investigation
'Given the nature of the charges, I have made the decision not to communicate this information directly to students.
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I → give → students
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.
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she → believe → it
For younger students, particularly those who did not know Mr Kenny-Jones, you may decide that no discussion is necessary at this time.
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discussion → know → time
According to Victoria Legal Aid, a person who has sex with, sexually touches or performs a sexual act in front of a child aged 12 or under can be charged with sexual assault.
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The same applies to children aged between 12 and 15, and a person more than two years older may be charged even if the child agrees.
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child → apply → 12
It also applies if a person responsible for the care or supervision of a 16 or 17-year-old has sex with them, even if they agree.
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they → apply → them
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Do you know more?
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The Aporia
