Annabel Doust’s relationship with a student put her in trouble, and this report will shed light on the famous Wee Waa teacher and how her predicament came about.
Who is Annabel Doust?
Annabel Doust has been identified as a former teacher who got intimate with a student, resulting in the exchange of 6,000 Facebook messages, and as the individual who was terminated from her position a decade ago.
Two years ago, Doust was recognized in the state parliament by the Secretary of Education as a school principal. In 2013, Dean Gray, a senior high school student from Narrabri in northern NSW, engaged in a s*** relationship with Doust.
Tragically, Gray, now a young father of two, passed away in October 2021 due to a dislocated shoulder and drowning during a boys camping trip. Despite the family’s efforts to pursue action against Doust, authorities were unable to proceed with the complaint as the victim had passed away.
Wee Waa teacher affair with Dean Gray explored
The teacher initaiated a s***xual relationship with the young boy who was his student. When the issue came to light, the NSW Department of Education terminated the employment of former Headmaster Annabel Doust due to her involvement in a s***xual relationship with a student, Dean Gray, which began over a decade ago.
The decision was made following a 12-month investigation by the department’s Professional and Ethical Standards Directorate, which was initiated after Ms. Doust resigned from her position in the previous year.
The investigation found sufficient evidence to support the conclusion that Ms. Doust had breached professional boundaries with Mr. Gray during her tenure as principal of Narrabri High.
Specifically, it was discovered that Ms. Doust had engaged in inappropriate conversations with Mr. Gray via private messaging between April and August 2013, after sending him a Facebook friend request. As a result of her actions, Ms. Doust has been placed on a not-to-be-work list by the department.
Ms Doust has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing by the New South Wales Police. During her tenure as principal of Wee Waa High School, the campus was closed in 2020 due to 50 students and staff exhibiting symptoms consistent with mold exposure.
At the time, Sarah Mitchell, the former Minister for Education in New South Wales, maintained regular communication with Ms Doust and praised her exceptional efforts in supporting her staff, students, and community during this challenging period. The Minister also acknowledged Ms Doust’s leadership skills in the New South Wales Parliament.
How did Dean Gray die?
Regrettably, Dean Gray passed away in October 2021 as a result of an accident that occurred during a camping trip. His family, who were deeply saddened by his untimely demise, sought justice for the inappropriate relationship. However, due to Dean’s passing, the case could not proceed legally. More than a decade after the relationship began, the New South Wales Department of Education took action against Annabel Doust, dismissing her from her position as principal.
The decision was made following a year-long investigation by the department’s Professional and Ethical Standards Directorate, which uncovered evidence that Ms. Doust had breached professional boundaries with the student.
The inquiry revealed that she had privately messaged Dean and engaged in inappropriate conversations between April and August 2013, after sending him a Facebook friend request. Despite her dismissal, Annabel Doust has not been charged with any criminal offenses by the New South Wales Police.
