>
Primary school responds to ‘upset’ parents after principal was accused of sending a photo of his penis to an undercover cop posing as a 14-year-old girl while using the alias ‘Die Hard’ online
- The Department of Education has responded to parents after the principal’s accusations
- Shayne Harris is accused of sending a photo of his penis to undercover police
- He allegedly thought that he was sending the explicit image to a 14-year-old girl.
A primary school has hit back at parents after its principal was accused of sending a photo of his penis to an undercover police officer posing as a 14-year-old girl, while using the alias ‘Die Hard’ online.
Shayne Harris, who held the top job at the main Aveley North primary school, 29 kilometers north-east of Perth, appeared in court on Thursday charged with using electronic communication to expose a child to indecent matters.
An email was sent to the parents of the children at the school informing them that Mr Harris had appeared in court the previous day “facing serious charges”.
“Mr. Harris was immediately removed from his position as director due to the nature of the charges,” the email said.
Shayne Harris (pictured) appeared in court this week on charges of using electronic communication to expose a child to indecent things.
Aveley North Elementary School has responded to angry parents after the veteran principal was accused of sending a photo of his penis to an undercover police officer posing as a 14-year-old girl.
The school acknowledged that the recent event “may be upsetting and concerning to many parents, staff and students.”
‘We would like to emphasize that the safety of all students is our number one priority, and we expect the highest standards of behavior from school leaders and staff. Thank you for your understanding and support.’
Mr Harris’s departure just three weeks before the new school year begins has put pressure on the department to find a replacement director.
The email said that Helen Taylor, a former assistant principal and interim principal with a “strong connection” to the school, would assume the lead role by the start of the 2023 school year.
However, Ms Taylor is currently a principal at another school, so the pressure will be on the department to find a replacement for her as well amid a chronic teacher shortage.
Perth Magistrates Court said on Thursday that Harris had allegedly chatted with someone he believed to be a teenage girl via Google Chats on New Year’s Day at her home.
Prosecutors allege that Harris first sent two photos of her face during that live video chat, before the conversation turned sexual. He then allegedly posted a photo of his penis.
Prosecutors allege that Mr. Harris first sent two photos of his face during a live video chat, before the conversation turned sexualized, and then allegedly posted a photo of his penis.
The court heard that Harris had been using the online alias ‘Die Hard’ before transferring to Google Chats, while using an email address containing his real name.
Harris, who has run some of Perth’s most prestigious primary schools, was also charged with possession of cannabis and drug paraphernalia.
He was granted bail on the condition that he does not leave the state, surrender his passport and that police inspect any internet-enabled device when requested.
Harris is due back in court in February.
Past Aveley North School Newsletters sent out last year had warned parents and students to beware of online sexual predators.
On Thursday, the WA Department of Education called for the long-time teacher to be removed following the ‘incredibly serious’ allegations.