Politics · Australia · 1 hr ago
Inquiry recommends blocking new enrolments at Sydney school
A NSW parliamentary inquiry recommended Redeemer Baptist School in western Sydney be barred from enrolling new students while its regulator investigates.
The committee found the school breached basic child-safety standards and put children at significant risk of harm.
Former students and teachers described students sharing beds with teachers and other alleged abuses; the committee said sexual assault allegations were not handled appropriately.
It recommended that police and child-protection authorities investigate the allegations, and called for further checks into the school’s finances and government funding.
The committee also criticized education regulators for failing to identify risks, noting the school had faced parliamentary scrutiny in 2006.
The school previously said it took child safety seriously and had fully cooperated with regulators; it did not immediately comment after the inquiry’s findings.
The enrolment recommendation remains for the regulator to act on, while the proposed investigations and reviews proceed.
A NSW parliamentary inquiry has recommended that Redeemer Baptist School be barred from enrolling new students while the state education regulator investigates.
The committee found the school breached basic child-safeguarding standards and put children at significant risk of harm.
It recommended referring allegations to police and other agencies, and called for investigations into the school’s finances and staff treatment.
The report also criticised regulators for failing to identify risks and investigate evidence.
The school has said it takes child safety seriously and has a 45-year record of compliance with state and federal regulators.
- Who
- A NSW parliamentary committee made the recommendations about Redeemer Baptist School.
- What
- The committee urged a freeze on new enrolments and investigations into allegations involving child safety, staff treatment and funding.
- When
- The report was tabled on Tuesday, 10 November 2026.
- Where
- Redeemer Baptist School is in North Parramatta, western Sydney.
- Why
- The committee found the school breached child-safeguarding standards and put children at significant risk of harm.
NSW parliamentary committee
Redeemer Baptist School
Child safety
NSW parliamentary committee
The committee found the school breached basic safeguarding standards and put children at significant risk of harm.
Redeemer Baptist School
The school said it takes its child safety obligations extremely seriously.
Regulatory compliance
NSW parliamentary committee
The committee called for investigations and criticised regulatory oversight.
Redeemer Baptist School
The school said it had an unblemished record of compliance with state and federal regulators for 45 years.
Allegations
NSW parliamentary committee
The committee recommended investigation of allegations including mishandled sexual assault reports and possible financial misconduct.
Redeemer Baptist School
The school said it had fully co-operated with relevant regulators.
Adam Gibson recounted his childhood inside the Redeemer community at parliament.
The committee tabled its report in state parliament and recommended a freeze on new enrolments.
- School
- Redeemer Baptist School, North Parramatta
- Enrolment recommendation
- Freeze new enrolments while the school is investigated
- Report length
- 200 pages
- Government funding
- About $6 million a year, according to committee chair Abigail Boyd
- Referrals
- Police, the Australian Taxation Office, Services Australia and the Office of the Children’s Guardian
3 sources
What people are saying
They also have deep political ties with both state and federal politicians
Redeemer Baptist School takes its child safety obligations extremely seriously and has an unblemished record of compliance with state and federal regulators for 45 years
something more insidious, an environment marked by control, surveillance, and rigid discipline
dominated by fear, shame and the uncomfortable feeling of always being watched