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An assistant principal of a primary school in Bundoora has become the third Victorian educator expected to be charged with child pornography offences after images depicting child pornography were found on his laptop. Warwick Nolan, a teacher at Norris Bank Primary School for 12 years, is on sick leave after being stood down in August. A Department of Education technical worker discovered the images while fixing the man's laptop. The images do not depict any Victorian children and the computer was not used at the school. While Mr Nolan's alleged offences are not directly related to Operation Auxin, Australia's biggest child pornography investigation, he is the third Victorian educator to be stood down over child pornography allegations in recent months. Mr Nolan could not be reached for comment yesterday. Last month, Terry Wescott, in his 50s, principal at St Therese's Primary School in Torquay, was suspended over child pornography claims. And Lachlan Wallin, 26, grade 1 and 2 teacher at St Simon's Primary School in Rowville, is also expected to be charged. Police across Australia are checking more than 700 people in relation to child pornography. Assistant Commissioner (Crime) Simon Overland said that of more than 170 Victorians being investigated, all 89 who had been interviewed were expected to be charged on summons. "As we move through this process, it is likely we will continue to identify people who we categorise as (being in) high-risk occupations, that is, positions of trust within the community, particularly where they are dealing with the children," Mr Overland said. Counsellors were at the Bundoora school yesterday and are expected to stay into next week. Angry parents yesterday rushed to get their children into cars at the end of the school day. They had been checking on the 317 children throughout the day, after receiving a letter and phone call from the school. "They (the pupils) are all traumatised. They know things are not normal at their school," one mother, who did not want to be identified, said. Another mother said parents were extremely happy with the way the school was handling the situation. Acting principal Emily Dimitracopoulos said yesterday the school community was shocked and deeply distressed, but would support one another. "It is important that the school operates as normally as possible and that we will continue to provide strong programs and excellent support to all our students," she said. Curtains were drawn and a car parked in the driveway at Mr Nolan's suburban home yesterday. A neighbour, who has lived near Mr Nolan, a father of two, for 14 years, said she last saw him more than eight days ago. "I knew he was a principal. He was approachable, really friendly and nice,"she said. Mr Overland said a "small number" of those who came to police attention for allegedly possessing child pornography would also be charged with separate child sex offences. AAP (23-10-2004) Selma Milovanovic |
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