Inquiry hears bed-sharing claims

A NSW parliamentary inquiry on Monday heard allegations that teenagers at Redeemer Baptist School in western Sydney were made to share beds with teachers during school camps and study-stays.

Student saw principal naked

Edward Garth, twenty-three, told the committee he saw principal Jonathon Cannon walk out of a bathroom naked into the living room where Garth was sleeping during a study-stay.

“As I walked into the living room, which was my bedroom at the time, I saw [Cannon], my principal, walk out of the bathroom into the living room naked before heading to his room.”

Reporting the incident backfired

Garth said he reported the incident to staff, but it got back to Cannon, his brother Noel and Garth's own parents, who scolded him.

Bed rotation to save space

Former student Emma Hughes said students occasionally shared beds with teachers in caravans or school-owned cabins to save space.

“Usually, the student would be a community member, which in itself says they knew maybe they shouldn't be doing it.”

Culture of blurred boundaries

Hughes told the inquiry the school's culture left much for students to untangle as adults. Staff crossed conversational boundaries, personal matters were discussed publicly, and the school emphasised surveillance and public humiliation.

“The nature of boundaries is really something which is not particularly, I believe, understood by staff at Redeemer in the way we understand it in most school contexts.”

School failed to appear at inquiry

The parliamentary committee is investigating the school's management and government oversight. Committee chair Abigail Boyd said she was disappointed an attempted summons to appear went begging. The school has not responded to requests for comment.