- Elite Sydney school had to apologise to parents for image in farewell montage
- Simon Phillips is accused of sex offences against four girls as young as 11
- The 51-year-old was accidentally included in an end-of-year formal slideshow
By Sam McPhee For Daily Mail Australia
Published: 00:46 EST, 17 December 2017 | Updated: 00:46 EST, 17 December 2017
An elite Sydney school have had to apologise to parents and students after a male teacher accused of sex offences against four young girls was shown in an end-of-year montage.
Simon William Phillips, 51, was arrested by detectives from the State Crime Command's Child Abuse Squad at a home in the inner-west of Sydney last week.
He was taken to Burwood Police Station and charged with 13 counts of aggravated indecent assault – victim under authority.
Phillips was included in the slideshow alongside female students at the school's formal, disgusting parents and members of the college's community.
'We have all just had a gutful of the disrespect that has been shown to us,' one of the alleged victims' mother told Fairfax.
imon William Phillips, 51, was arrested by detectives from the State Crime Command's Child Abuse Squad at a home in the inner-west of Sydney last week
He was taken to Burwood Police Station and charged with 13 counts of aggravated indecent assault – victim under authority
The school released a statement to parents addressing the error in judgement but confirmed Phillips was not present on the night.
'The Department of Education apologies to any parents, students and staff distressed that an image of Simon Phillips was shown by mistake during the Year 6 farewell ceremony last Wednesday,' the statement reads.
Phillips reportedly returned to teaching classes for several hours after the school learned of his allegations. Staff agreed to move one of the alleged victims to another classroom before department officials stepped in and suspended him.
'They have shown a total disregard for the feelings of the girls and their families. It has been very callous,' the mother of an alleged victim said.
'It is like we are the ones that have done something wrong. Is it any wonder that people decide not to speak up because this is the way they are treated.'
Parents were also distressed Phillips continued to work at the school despite claims of 'inappropriate conversations' with female students
Parents were also distressed Phillips continued to work at the school despite claims of 'inappropriate conversations' with female students.
Police will allege in court the man indecently assaulted four girls – aged between 11 and 12 – on 13 separate occasions at school this year.
It is alleged Phillips' crimes took place at his most recent place of employment, Mowbray Public School.
Phillips has also worked at other prestigious schools, including Scots College, St Joseph's Hunters Hill and St Andrew's Cathedral school.
A search warrant was also executed at his home in Russell Lea, and detectives seized a number of items relevant to the investigation.
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