Langwarrin Park principal charged

LANGWARRIN Park Primary School principal Richard Barren has been charged with possessing child abuse material.

On 31 January the Victorian Department of Education sent a letter to parents at Langwarrin Park Primary School informing them that Barren had been charged. The letter stated that no students from the school had been identified as victims of the alleged offence.

“I am sorry to be sending such concerning news at the start of a new school year, but I need to inform you that principal, Richard Barren, has this week been charged with a criminal offence relating to possession of child abuse material. I wanted to inform you as soon as possible and to let you know of supports available for anyone impacted by this news,” the department’s letter read. “It is important that you know that at this stage there is no information to suggest that any student at the school has been impacted by the alleged offending.

“As there is an ongoing police investigation, we are unable to provide any further information but will update you when we are able. In the meantime, we will continue to work closely with the school and other parts of the Department of Education to ensure all appropriate steps are taken with child safety and wellbeing our paramount concern.”

Barren is currently on leave from his job. Deb Haddow has been named acting principal of Langwarrin Park Primary School.

Victoria Police and Langwarrin Park Primary School were contacted for comment.