Victorian school teacher charged with soliciting child abuse material
Irymple Secondary College teacher Harley James Caldwell is charged with offences related to child abuse material. (Supplied)
In short:
Victorian teacher, Harley James Caldwell, has been charged with child abuse material offences.
His employer, Irymple Secondary College, says there is no information to suggest a student or former students are involved.
What's next?
The teacher will face court in October.
A Victorian teacher is facing charges relating to soliciting child abuse material, with his employer describing the news as deeply concerning.
Irymple Secondary College wrote to parents on Wednesday advising that one of its teachers, Harley James Caldwell, was facing serious charges.
Police said Mr Caldwell, 31, was charged with two counts of transmitting child abuse material and one count of soliciting child abuse material.
Officers from the Mildura Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team searched Mr Caldwell's house on Thursday last week and seized various electronic devices.
Police said Mr Caldwell was on bail with conditions and was due to face court in October.
In the letter, acting principal Gregor Allan said Mr Caldwell had worked at the school since 2021.
"I acknowledge that this news is deeply concerning,"he said.
A teacher at Irymple Secondary College is facing a charge over child abuse material. (ABC News: Tyrone Dalton)
About 500 students in Years 7 to 10 are enrolled at Irymple Secondary College.
In the letter to parents, Mr Allan said that because of the charges, Mr Caldwell could not work in any Victorian school.
"There is no information to suggest that the alleged offending related to Harley's role at our school or any student or former student,"the letter to parents said.
"However, because of the nature of these charges, I wanted to inform you of this matter as soon as possible."
Victoria Police has raised concerns about the school's decision to name the teacher.
Mildura police officer Detective Inspector David Rowe said the school received legal advice that naming the teacher would meet its child safety obligations.
"We're concerned about that and we've said as much to them," Detective Inspector Rowe said.
"Everyone's got their risk to manage, and that's their community."
The school has urged parents to use discretion about the case.