A Victorian science teacher has been charged with child sex offences and suspended from his job after allegations regarding at least one student were raised last year.
A letter sent this week by the principal of state-run McClelland Secondary College in Frankston told parents and carers that Orhan Sahin had been charged by police.
Sahin worked at the school in a casual relief role in 2022 and then as a science teacher for grades 7-10 from 2023 until May 2024.
Principal Laura Dowdell Spence said that ‘given the serious nature of these charges’ she wanted to inform the school community of the ‘concerning news as soon as possible’.
‘Any information relating to child sexual offending can be distressing and can trigger a range of emotions,’ she said in the letter.
‘Our Wellbeing Team is available if your child is impacted by this news. There is also a range of community support available.’
‘I commend the courage it takes for people to speak up and report criminal or other concerning behaviour that they have experienced or are aware of.’
Victoria Police confirmed a 31-year-old man has been charged following an investigation into reports of sexual assault.
A suspended teacher who worked at McClelland College in Victoria has been charged with with sexual assault
The principal of the Frankston school said it was providing support to students
The charges follow incidents reported to have occurred at a school in Frankston between 2022 and 2024.
He was charged with two counts of sexual assault of a child aged 16-17-years under care, supervision or authority, and two counts of encouraging a child aged 16-17-years under care, supervision or authority to engage in or be involved in sexual activity.
He will also face counts of sexual assault and stalking another person.
Sahin denied all allegations via his lawyer’s statement to Melbourne newspaper The Age.
Ms Dowdell Spence said families of former McClelland students who attended the school when Sahin taught there would also be notified.
‘Out of respect for the privacy and well-being of any person directly impacted by these charges, and to ensure we don’t interfere with the court processes, I ask for your sensitivity when discussing or sharing information about this matter in the community,’ she said.
Sahin, from Frankston, was suspended by the Victorian Institute of Teaching in June 2024.
The Victorian Education Department said the charges were ‘deeply distressing’ for the school community and said it had ensured ‘full support is available’.
Sahin was charged on summons to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on June 12.
