A female teacher from a private boys school on Sydney’s Northern Beaches is behind bars on remand after being accused of sexually abusing a student.
Police will allege Ella Clements, 24, engaged in an “inappropriate relationship” with a 15-year-old boy in her care at St Augustine’s College in Brookvale.
Sexual assault support services:NSW Health Sexual Assault Services  NSW Sexual Violence Helpline on 1800 424 017NSW Victims Services on 1800 633 0631800RESPECT national helpline on 1800 737 732Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service on 1800 211 028Bravehearts (support for child sexual abuse survivors) on 1800 272 831Child Protection Helpline on 132 111MARS Australia (for men affected by rape and sexual abuse) on (07) 3857 1222VIC Sexual Assault Crisis Line on 1800 806 292VIC Health Sexual Assault Services
She was arrested two weeks ago by Child Abuse Squad detectives, before being charged on Monday with three counts of aggravated sexual intercourse with a child between 14 and 16 years old and intentionally sexually touching a child between 10 and 16.
The school’s principal, Jonathan Byrne, wrote to parents confirming the teacher had been fired and the college was working with police.
“Upon becoming aware of the allegations, the college immediately implemented its student protection framework, including notifying police and regulatory authorities as well as immediately standing the teacher down and subsequently terminating their employment,” the letter read.
“As a parent I acknowledge an investigation like this will cause anxiety. We continue to work with police and relevant authorities and, in the meantime, our focus is on ensuring the privacy and wellbeing of the student and family.”
Clements faced Manly Local Court on Monday and was initially granted bail by the magistrate with strict conditions, which would require her to reside in Ballina on the NSW north coast and abide by a curfew.
She was also banned from using a smartphone or social media, and required to have two acceptable people deposit $100,000 cash each to be forfeited if she did not comply with her bail.
However, she remains in custody after the police prosecutor applied for the bail decision to be stayed, and the application heard by the Supreme Court.
A detention hearing will be held in the Supreme Court on Thursday.