Politics · Australia · 1 hr ago
Inquiry hears students shared beds with teachers at Sydney school
A state parliamentary inquiry is examining Redeemer Baptist School and its church in North Parramatta, Sydney.
Former student Emma Hughes told the inquiry that, during a 1998 camp, students sometimes had to share beds with teachers because cabins lacked space.
She said students had no choice, although she said nothing inappropriate happened to her.
Hughes described the camps as isolating, with long Bible study and no contact with parents.
Former student Edward Garth said that in 2015, when he was 12, he saw principal Jonathan Cannon walk naked from a bathroom through the living area where students were staying.
Garth said he reported it to a school board director and was scolded.
The inquiry was launched after allegations about the school and church, including claims of extreme control over members.
The hearings are continuing, and the school denies allegations that it withheld teachers’ wages.
A state parliamentary inquiry into Redeemer Baptist School and its church heard allegations that students shared beds with teachers and that a principal walked naked past students.
Former student Emma Hughes said students sometimes had to share beds with teachers during school camps in 1998 because cabins lacked space.
Former student Edward Garth told the inquiry he saw principal Jonathan Cannon naked during a school homestay arrangement in June 2015.
Hughes said she experienced nothing “untoward” while sharing a bed, but described the practice as inappropriate and unsafe.
The inquiry was launched after a joint investigation by the Sydney Morning Herald and 60 Minutes exposed allegations about the school and church.
- Who
- Former students Emma Hughes and Edward Garth gave evidence to the inquiry.
- What
- The inquiry heard allegations about students sharing beds with teachers and a principal walking naked past students.
- When
- The bed-sharing Hughes described took place in 1998. Garth said he saw the principal in June 2015; the inquiry hearing was reported on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Redeemer Baptist School in North Parramatta, Sydney, and a school homestay arrangement near a school campsite.
- Why
- The parliamentary inquiry was launched after a joint Sydney Morning Herald and 60 Minutes investigation exposed allegations about the school and church.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Although we did not want to share beds with our teachers, we didn’t have a choice
clearly inappropriate and unsafe
I don’t know why he didn’t cover himself with a towel or why he felt comfortable enough to walk out naked past our bedroom.
We didn’t have any contact with our parents. I would write letters every day that I never sent because I felt like I was completely cut off from my own world.
Hughes said students sometimes had to share beds with teachers during mandatory school camps because there was not enough cabin space.
Garth said he saw principal Jonathan Cannon walk naked from a bathroom into the living room of the homestay where students were staying.
The inquiry heard testimony from Hughes and Garth on its third day of hearings.
- School
- Redeemer Baptist School, North Parramatta
- Bed-sharing
- Hughes said it occurred during camps in 1998
- Homestay incident
- June 2015
- Principal named by Garth
- Jonathan Cannon
- Inquiry
- State parliamentary inquiry into the school and its church
Sources
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