Former Newington teacher charged with sex offences

A Newington College spokesperson confirmed Kontou’s former employment when contacted by the Herald.

“Newington College does not tolerate conduct by individual teachers that is in conflict with our professional standards or the law,” the spokesperson said. “As this matter is before the courts, we are not able to provide any further comment at this time.”

Kontou appeared in Sutherland Local Court on Wednesday, where she was granted conditional bail to return to her home in Sydney’s southern suburbs. She is banned from entering any school or undertaking teaching jobs that require contact with children, contacting the alleged victim and any prosecuting witnesses, or being in the company of a child without another adult present.

Kontou is required to report to Sutherland Police Station weekly, surrender her passport and not enter an international point of departure from Australia. She will next appear at Burwood Local Court on November 25.

There are about 2000 students across Newington College’s Stanmore and Lindfield campuses. The school, founded in 1863, started accepting girls into its classrooms this year following a highly contentious decision that led to courtroom showdowns and a broader culture war over the merits of all-boy schools and toxic masculinity.

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