(AUSTRALIA)
Daily Mail [London, United Kingdom]
May 6, 2022
By Jade Hobman
- A Victorian teacher, 47, has admitted to sexually assaulting children in his care
- He plead guilty to sexual penetration of a child, and committing indecent acts
- A Melbourne school said the charges don’t relate to his time on their campus
A performing arts teacher at a private Catholic high school has admitted a range of sickening child sex offences, including the penetration of a child under 16.
Brian Wallwork, 47, was charged with 17 offences initially, but instead pleaded guilty to four rolled up charges at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday.
The offences include an indecent act with a child, sexual penetration of a child younger than 16 and sexual penetration of a child (aged 16 or 17) in his care.
The defendant appeared via video link to admit the charges.
Wallwork worked as a performing arts and music teacher at St Peter’s College, Clyde North campus in Cranbourne East.
Some parents said they were not aware of the sexual assault claims nor the suspension of the staff member.
‘It’s really concerning that the school hasn’t advised us of this yet, we should be in the know considering it involves child safety,’ one mother said.
In late 2020 Mr Wallwork congratulated students in one of the school’s newsletters after ‘an amazing and resilient year’.
He enthused about how students had taken to the the school’s new performing arts space for their examination and ‘really did themselves and the College proud’.
But last week the college’s principal Chris Black sent newsletters to parents after the school was contacted by the media about Wallwork.
Mr Black said the offences were not related to the teacher’s time at the school and told the Herald Sun the staff member had ‘immediately commenced a period of leave’ as soon as allegations came to their notice.
Wallwork was charged last year after a police investigation into sexual assault allegations. His teaching registration has also been suspended.
Wallwork will remain on bail until November when the matter is heard at the County Court of Victoria.