‘Stunned’ students of former Newington College teacher charged with raping boy speak out as classroom TikToks emerge and Daily Mail confronts her at police station
Former students of former Newington College teacher Deandra Kontou say they are shocked and hurt after she was charged with nine sexual offences involving a boy who was under 16 in 2019. The allegations contrast with their memories of her as a kind, fun teacher, including classroom videos of her dancing with students; the article says it does not suggest the videos were improper.
Police allege the offences took place over six months, mostly during school hours at the school’s Stanmore campus, and included grooming and non-consensual sexual acts. The most serious allegations concern a November 2019 trip to Fitzroy Island. Kontou, 32, has been bailed, suspended without pay from her current teaching role, and must report to police weekly and stay away from schools and children; she is due in Burwood Local Court on 25 November.
- Former students say the charges have left them shocked and hurt.
- Kontou faces nine charges relating to alleged offences in 2019.
- She is on bail with restrictions and is due in court on 25 November.
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Newington College is an independent boys’ school in Stanmore, Sydney. Deandra Kontou taught there in 2019; former pupils recall her as a warm, lively teacher, and classroom videos show her dancing with students.
Police allege that Kontou committed sexual offences against a boy who was under 16, over a period of about six months. The allegations include grooming and non-consensual acts, and relate mainly to school hours, with the most serious said to concern a school trip.
The case matters because it involves allegations of abuse by a teacher against a child in her care. Kontou has been charged, which means the allegations have not been proved in court; she is entitled to the presumption of innocence.