A female relief teacher accused of grooming a teenage schoolboy is a talented athlete who worked at several schools in her hometown after finishing university.
Ammy Singleton, 28, faced a South Australian court on Wednesday after being charged with communicating with a child to ‘make them amenable to sexual activity’ between November 1 and 30 last year.
The matter was adjourned until July after the prosecutor told the court police need 12 more weeks to analyse electronic evidence.
A male student from a Port Augusta primary school where Ms Singleton taught for over a year said she allowed students to swear during lessons.
‘She was a nice teacher, she actually used to let us swear a lot in class,’ the Flinders View Primary School student told The Advertiser.
Ms Singleton taught the boy Aboriginal language lessons for two days a week and in total taught at six local schools.
A female relief teacher accused of grooming a teenage schoolboy is a talented athlete who worked at several schools in her hometown after finishing university
Relief teacher Ammy Singleton (pictured) faced the Port Augusta Court on Wednesday morning after being charged with communicating with a child to make them amenable to sexual activity
Ms Singleton, who grew up in Port Augusta, north of Adelaide, was a star netballer and footballer in the rural town before moving three-and-a-half hours southeast to attend UniSA in Adelaide.
She graduated with a Bachelor of Education (Primary and Middle) in 2017, before returning to her hometown where sources said she was employed at several schools.
Ms Singleton, who graduated from South Australia’s National Football League Aboriginal Pathways to Excellence Traineeship Program in 2012, built a reputation as a local sporting icon, The Advertiser reports.
She was lauded as a ‘role model’ in 2013 by locals after helping to organise a community basketball event.
Esther Boles, who led the SA under-18 girls team in 2018, said she was an inspiration to younger generations of women.
Ms Singleton was arrested on December 23, before first appearing in court on February 14 this year. She has refused to comment on the charges
Ms Singleton (pictured) taught and six schools in the local area and is due to face Port Augusta Court again on July 20
‘Ammy Singleton and Mikayla Grantham were two girls that I watched growing up, as well as Ellie and Laura Packard, who are now very talented in other sports,’ Ms Boles told the Transcontinental at the time.
Since moving back, Ms Singleton has returned to sport, playing for the Railways Netball Club and in the Falcons Black basketball grand final last year.
When she hit the netball court last September, she was lauded as ‘awesome in her court coverage for interceptions, back-up play and goal circle rebounds’.
Ms Singleton is known as a talented athlete in her hometown
She was arrested on December 23, before first appearing in court on February 14 this year. Ms Singleton has so far refused to comment.
The scandal has rocked the small tight-knit coastal town, which is home to almost 14,000 people.
Mayor Brett Benbow called on the community to let the court process run its course after one school issued a letter to parents.
‘When it is all said and done, we will know a lot more about the circumstances,’ Mayor Benbow said.
‘I come back to the fact that this case is before the courts and that the person involved remains innocent until proven guilty.’
Flinders View Principal Anna Nayda sent a letter to parents confirmed Ms Singleton was arrested for ‘an alleged child sexual offence’ and that she had worked there between February 2017 and April 2018.
The letter said the allegations did not involve any of the school’s students.
Port Augusta West Primary School’s principal David Lawton issued a letter to parents earlier this year to inform them Ms Singleton had worked at the school for one day in July, 2020.
‘Police have advised the Department for Education they do not have any objections to the department informing the school community,’ he said.
‘This incident does not involve any students at our school and the information available to the school suggests there is no need for any concern for any children at our school.’
Flinders View Principal Anna Nayda sent a letter to parents confirmed Ms Singleton, a former relief teacher at the school, was arrested for ‘an alleged child sexual offence’
‘Ms Singleton has bail conditions that prevent her from engaging in any child-related work.
‘If you have any concerns about the safety and welfare of your child, please feel free to contact me directly at the school.’
Catholic Education South Australia this week confirmed in a statement Ms Singleton has never been employed at their school, Caritas College, in Port Augusta.
It remains unclear whether the alleged victim was a student she met while teaching.
Ms Singleton will front Port Augusta Court again on July 20, where she is due to enter a plea.
Port Augusta West Primary School’s principal David Lawton issued a letter to parents earlier this year to inform then that Ms Singleton had taught students for one day in July, 2020
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