Teacher Accused of Rape Taught for Two Years After Police Warning

The NSW Deputy Premier has called for an urgent review into how a teacher accused of raping a student was employed at a Sydney public school for two years, despite police having previously warned education officials about the allegations.

Deandra Kontou, 32, was arrested last week and charged with nine sex offenses related to alleged assaults and grooming of a student under 16 in 2019 while she was employed at Newington College. She was granted conditional bail and is employed at Georges River College Senior Campus in Oatley, where she has taught since 2024.

Despite her bail conditions prohibiting her from teaching children and entering school grounds, Kontou is reportedly undertaking alternative duties. The NSW Department of Education was aware of complaints against Kontou two years prior to her arrest, according to reports. Detectives had informed departmental officials about their ongoing investigation into the teacher.

"These are very serious criminal allegations, which are now before the courts," said NSW Deputy Premier Prue Car. "Given the circumstances, I have asked the secretary to urgently review the matter to ensure all correct processes have been followed with regard to this individual's employment within the department."

Kontou taught society and culture, history, and geography at the co-educational school and was reportedly still in classrooms until recently. The school removed her employment after learning of police plans to charge her.

In a letter to parents, Georges River College Senior Campus principal Anna Girginis stated that the alleged offenses do not relate to Kontou's work at the school or within the NSW public education system. She reassured parents that Kontou is not currently working at the school. Kontou is also banned from entering any school grounds or approaching children under her bail conditions. She is required to report weekly to Sutherland Police Station and surrender her passport.

Kontou is scheduled to appear in Burwood Local Court on November 25, where a brief of evidence is expected.

Court documents allege that Kontou's offending occurred over a six-month period in 2019, with most incidents alleged to have taken place during school hours at the Stanmore campus. Police documents outline accusations of grooming, exposing the student to indecent material, continuing grooming via a carriage service, inciting the victim to carry out and sexually touch her without consent, and sexually touching the boy without his consent.

An aggravated charge relates to an alleged incident at the Stanmore campus on September 27, 2019. The alleged offending reportedly culminated during a trip with the student to Fitzroy Island in November 2019, where she is accused of sexual assault and rape. Police allege Kontou engaged in sexual intercourse with the boy without his consent during this trip.

A spokesperson for the NSW Department of Education stated that the department has "taken every possible action at each stage of the investigation in accordance with police instruction."