The mother, referred to as Mary to protect her identity, withdrew her child from a Catholic school<\/a> in the Illawarra region in June after seven months of raising concerns she said were not adequately addressed.<\/p>\n Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n Mary said she first became worried in November last year when her child came home with knowledge about how to perform a sexual act. She said her child learnt the behaviour from another student.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was the first eye-opener for my husband and I. (We thought,) \u2018What\u2019s happening?\u2019\u201d she told 7NEWS.com.au.<\/p>\n She said her child later disclosed another student, referred to as Tom, had repeatedly encouraged her child to engage in inappropriate behaviour and tried to involve the six-year-old in sexual acts during breaks in the bush surrounding the school\u2019s oval.<\/p>\n The child said Tom also told them to engage in sexual behaviour with other students on the playground.\u00a0<\/p>\n The family immediately reported their concerns to the school and requested the two students be placed in separate classes the following year.<\/p>\n However, she alleged the behaviour continued despite that change.<\/p>\n \u201cWe thought once they were in different classrooms it would stop, but things actually got worse,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Over the following seven months, Mary said her child repeatedly disclosed further incidents involving Tom during breaks at school.<\/p>\n The family said each incident was reported to the school, Catholic Education and the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ).<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019d have to ask our child, were you taken to the bush today?\u201d Mary said.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd my husband and I thought, \u2018this is ridiculous\u2019. We shouldn\u2019t be asking a six-year-old these questions every day.\u201d<\/p>\n Mary said the ordeal had a significant emotional toll on the child.<\/p>\n The once enthusiastic student, who previously woke up excited to go to school each morning, gradually became withdrawn and reluctant to attend.<\/p>\n \u201cTowards the end, we\u2019d have to \u2018bribe\u2019 [the child] to go to school. There was no excitement anymore because Tom was there. It was so sad to watch.\u201d<\/p>\n Although advised to move the child to another school, Mary said she initially resisted because she believed the family should not have to leave.<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t fair. It shouldn\u2019t have been our child who had to move,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Repeated complaints<\/p>\n Mary said she repeatedly sought help from the school but felt little changed.<\/p>\n She alleges the principal and assistant principal held a meeting with herself and the child, who became too intimidated to speak.<\/p>\n \u201cThe school just kept saying they couldn\u2019t do anything because our child wasn\u2019t reporting it directly on the day,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Mary claims the principal described the behaviour as \u201cinnocent and exploratory\u201d and told the family the school would not discipline Tom or speak with the student\u2019s family.<\/p>\n \u201cThe principal confirmed they\u2019re not going to discipline him. There\u2019s going to be no consequences. They confirmed that the behaviour is innocent and exploratory. They confirmed they\u2019re not going to sit down with \u2018Tom\u2019 and tell him what he\u2019s done is wrong. And we wanted to make sure that is their last stance on it all. They said yes, and if we have an issue with it, put in a complaint,\u201d Mary said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI just said to the principal that I\u2019m very, very angry and I just am very confused by it all.\u201d<\/p>\n Mary alleged the school introduced measures intended to separate the two students during the school day, \u201cto keep us happy\u201d.<\/p>\n However, she believes those measures unfairly isolated the child.<\/p>\n In one email seen by 7NEWS.com.au, Mary questioned why the child had been prevented from playing with friends because Tom was nearby.<\/p>\n \u201c[My child] felt sad and said it was unfair,\u201d the email reads.<\/p>\n Mary described the situation as \u201chorrible\u201d, saying her child \u201cwas being punished for wanting to play with their friends\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThe school should have moved \u2018Tom\u2019 on, not my child. My child should be able to play with their friends and we found it unfair if \u2018Tom\u2019 was there with his friends that my child was punished.\u201d<\/p>\n 7NEWS.com.au understands more than one Year 1 student has moved schools.\u00a0<\/p>\n Other parents raise concerns<\/p>\n The allegations have also left other Year 1 parents concerned.<\/p>\n A second mother, referred to as Jane to protect her identity, said she noticed what she believed was a \u201csafety plan\u201d involving \u201cTom\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was being supervised by a teacher at the school, like in a classroom setting or in the library when they had their meal break, so lunch or recess, he was being supervised on his own,\u201d Jane said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cBut he had the option to choose one or two friends to play with him at lunchtime in this supervised setting.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe weren\u2019t informed at all about this arrangement and there were a number of occasions where my child was being chosen to go play with Tom.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cSo that was a bit concerning to us, considering the circumstances.\u201d<\/p>\n Jane said she emailed the principal seeking clarification and was later told by phone that the situation was under control.<\/p>\n School and authorities respond<\/p>\n In a notice sent to parents on May 19, the principal acknowledged there had been \u201cconversations within the Year 1 parent community regarding child safety and peer relationships\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to reassure you that the safety and wellbeing of all our students remain our highest priority,\u201d the notice said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cPlease be assured that any concerns raised by parents are addressed following our school policies and procedures.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe also work closely with the Catholic Education Office to ensure the best possible outcomes and support for our students.\u201d<\/p>\n The school and its principal did not respond to requests for comment from 7NEWS.com.au.<\/p>\n The Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong confirmed it was aware of the matter and said it continued to respond in accordance with its policies and relevant legislation.<\/p>\n \u201cThe school and specialist staff are aware of this matter and continue to respond in ways that are consistent with system policies and processes, the relevant legislation, and with the privacy and wellbeing of students as the highest priorities,\u201d a spokesperson said in a statement.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cA parent complaint about the school\u2019s processes in responding to this matter is currently being addressed through our complaints management processes.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWith this in mind, it would not be appropriate to provide further information at this time.\u201d<\/p>\n The NSW Department of Communities and Justice confirmed it had been notified of the matter but declined to comment due to privacy obligations.<\/p>\n Mary said she was a devout Christian, who lived her life by the faith\u2019s morals, but she felt let down by the school.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re strong Christians and believe in the Christian values and morals in terms of raising our family and the life that we lead,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why we sent our child to a Catholic school.<\/p>\n \u201cBut obviously we don\u2019t believe those values were upheld.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSomething needs to be done.\u201d<\/p>\n The names of the family and children in this story have been changed to protect their identities.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/f7b0d03706aaf40ba8747019f15aee2518d63aaa-161x229-x0y286w738h1050.jpg\")
A notice sent by the principal to parents on May 19. Credit: 7NEWS<\/p>\n