Wee Waa teacher sacked after having sexual relationship with student – who later died – named as school principal publicly praised by politicians in parliament
A teacher who was fired a decade ago after engaging in a sexual relationship with a student that involved the exchange of 6,000 Facebook messages has been identified two years ago as a school principal who was recognized in the state parliament by the Secretary of Education.
Dean Gray, from Narrabri in northern NSW, was 17 and in his senior year of high school in 2013 when he started having sex with his teacher Annabel Doust.
Eight years later, in October 2021, the young father of two dislocated his shoulder and drowned in the Namoi River during a boys camping trip.
His heartbroken family fought for action against the teacher, but police said the complaint could not go any further because the victim was dead.
More than a decade after Dean and his principal began the sexual relationship, Ms Doust was fired this week by the NSW Department of Education.
Former Headmaster Annabel Doust (pictured in 2017) was fired by the NSW Department of Education in 2013 over a relationship with a student.
It follows a 12-month investigation by the department’s Professional and Ethical Standards Directorate after Ms Doust stepped down from her position last year. Sydney Morning Herald reported.
Clearly, investigators found there was “sufficient evidence” to support Ms. Doust crossing professional boundaries with student Dean Gray while she was principal of Narrabri High.
The investigation revealed that Ms Doust privately messaged Dean and engaged in an inappropriate conversation between April and August 2013 after she sent him a Facebook friend request.
She has also been placed on a not-to-be-work list by the department.
Ms Doust has not been charged with any criminal offense by NSW Police.
She was principal of Wee Waa High School when the campus closed in 2020 after 50 students and staff became unwell with symptoms consistent with mold exposure.
Sarah Mitchell, the then NSW Minister for Education, was in regular contact with Ms Doust at the time and stated in May 2021 that the Director ‘did an outstanding job during this time to support her staff, students and community’.
The Minister also paid tribute to the Director’s leadership in the NSW Parliament.
“I recognize Annabel as a director and salute her for her leadership at an incredibly challenging time – there is no doubt about it,” said Ms. Mitchell.
There is no indication that Mrs. Mitchell had any knowledge of Mrs. Doust’s relationship with Dean Gray.
A month later, the minister visited the region to announce that a new high school would be built.
“Some kids found it extremely difficult,” Ms Doust told the ABC at the time.
“But kids are pretty resilient. I believe our Wee Waa children are very resilient.”
Dean’s parents welcomed the news of Mrs. Doust’s dismissal from the education department.
Annabel Doust was recognized in the state parliament in 2021 by the then Minister of Education
Dean Gray is pictured with his mother, Cherina Gray, in 2013 – the year he started having sex with his teacher
“I think this is a good outcome, totally appropriate and she won’t be rehired. That’s a win for Dean,” said his mother Cherina Gray.
Her husband Rob added that it was “a little bit of justice for Dean,” but added: “It’s been hell for the family since 2016. And it’s been extremely hard for the family.
“It’s been a huge rollercoaster ride for all of us, we’ve had our downs. We felt that the police had let us down with regard to the evidence we had handed over to them.”
It wasn’t until after Dean’s death that his parents began searching his phone and found up to 6,000 Facebook messages between him and the teacher – sent between April and July 2013.
The texts – obtained by Daily Mail Australia – showed the pair talking enthusiastically about their exploits throughout their three-month relationship.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Doust for comment.