‘May need a few dollars for cricket please:’ Private school head resigns after texting parents for cash

1 day ago 4

A former head of primary at a prestigious Newcastle private school has resigned after it was alleged she solicited tens of thousands of dollars from parents to pay for her rent, bills, children’s travel costs, groceries and petrol.

Multiple parents at Newcastle Grammar School claim the former head of primary, Alicha Dyer, repeatedly approached wealthy families for cash, including one family that forked out more than $25,000 in a single payment to the educator, after she requested the money to repay personal loans and a school loan.

Former head of primary at Newcastle Grammar School, Alicha Dyer, has been accused of soliciting money from parents.

The Herald viewed a cache of text messages sent by Dyer to parents over several years revealing she requested small financial “gifts” and “donations”, and befriended the parents.

According to the messages, Dyer said she needed the money for unexpected bills, groceries, petrol, school loans, personal loans and school camps.

“Hello folks, is there any chance you could assist me with 100 today as I don’t have any cash till Friday. Sorry to ask. Thank you,” she said in one text message from November 2022.

According to one parent who says they gave Dyer more than $25,000 and who spoke to the Herald on the condition of anonymity as they are still part of the school community, Dyer was “very friendly” and “made a connection” with parents before asking them for sums of $50 to $100.

“She would throw numbers out there and determine how much she was able to hit you up for,” the parent said.

Once this was established, the requests for money and their urgency increased, the parent said.

In December 2022, Dyer asked for a “Christmas donation” to repair her vehicle.

“My beloved car is booked in for repair this week and the quote wasn’t great. I am going to be short 2000. If any gift comes your way I would really appreciate a Christmas donation please. Didn’t budget for this. No problem if you can’t,” she said.

“Just letting you know I have 130 left from the money you gave me this morning and 100 in my account. May need a few dollars for cricket please. Thank you,” Dyer said in another.

The parent said: “It just went on and on … There was nothing overt about it. A lot of the text messages at the time were very ambiguous, not directly asking for money, but saying she needs it. Sometimes there were direct requests.”

Texts show Dyer often phrased her requests as “donations” but once paid back $400 to parents who gave her more than $25,000.

Dyer’s alleged behaviour was thrown into the spotlight last year when she created a GoFundMe to pay for her daughter’s trip to America for an academic competition.

While the initial target was set at $8000, parents watched as the goal was adjusted, eventually climbing to $19,000.

GoFundMe confirmed the fundraiser was removed at the request of the creator but did not say whether the money was kept.

Another former parent of the school, whose friend contributed $2000 to the GoFundMe, said they knew something was “off” when the goal ballooned.

“I’ve spoken to a number of current parents who have told me they either felt pressured to contribute or were otherwise aware of the GoFundMe collection and were very concerned about it,” they said.

“I think one of the most concerning aspects of all this is that they are so frightened to speak out in case there are negative consequences for their children.” There is no suggestion Dyer took any adverse action against the children of the parents involved.

Dyer was employed at Newcastle Grammar School from 2015. Last year, the school, which charges $29,888 for year 12 students, conducted an investigation into Dyer’s alleged behaviour, though the outcome was not shared with parents.

She resigned on December 1, after a period of leave. Parents said Dyer’s departure was sudden.

The head of Newcastle Grammar School, Matt Macoustra, declined to comment on the allegations but said the school had “established policies and procedures in place to support the safety and wellbeing of students, staff and families”.

“Newcastle Grammar School is not in a position to make any further comment,” Macoustra said.

Dyer declined to comment; however, a relative speaking on her behalf said any person who donated to the former head of primary did so of their own free will.

“Now she has resigned they have turned on her,” they said.

The relative said Dyer “fought for people in countless ways and spoke up for everyone. When it wasn’t reciprocated for her when she needed it, her mental health started to decline.”

“Anxiety and stress definitely blurred her judgment,” they said.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.