Diocese responds to sex allegations against All Saints' College teacher

NSW Police have confirmed a 39-year-old man was arrested at Maitland Police Station on March 28, following an investigation by Port Stephens-Hunter Police District officers.

The teacher has been charged with nine counts of sexual intercourse with a person under care, between the age of 17 and 18, and has since been granted conditional bail.

He will face Maitland Local Court at the end of the month.

The 39-year-old is one of two teachers facing allegations of "serious misconduct" who were put on administrative leave in March.

NSW Police were unable to confirm whether the second teacher will also face charges.

A spokesperson for the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle confirmed the individual who was put on administrative leave for misconduct has since been charged by NSW Police in relation to their alleged actions with a person under their care.

"This individual remains on administrative leave," they said.

"All Saints' College and the Office of Safeguarding will continue to support police inquiries.

"The Office of the Children's Guardian (OCG) are being kept appraised of the situation."

The spokesperson said appropriate action will be determined following police investigations and confirmed a second staff member also remains on administrative leave.

"The relevant authority is investigating this matter and dependent on the findings made, appropriate actions will be undertaken," they said.

"The Diocese appreciates the responsibility of updating the All Saints' College community.

"However, this must be balanced against ensuring the integrity of the investigations being undertaken and protecting the privacy of all other parties."

The spokesperson said the Diocese puts the safeguarding of children and vulnerable people first, and that all allegations are responded to and taken seriously.

Investigations began after the school's leaders were made aware of one allegation on the afternoon of March 13.

That allegation was reported the same day and the staff member was immediately placed on administrative leave.

In a public statement released on March 15, the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle said a "connected but very separate" allegation of a different nature against another staff member came to light late on March 14.

That staff member was also placed on administrative leave.

The OCG, the state's independent authority which oversees organisations to ensure the safety of children, confirmed in March it had been notified about the alleged incidents.

An OCG spokeswoman said at the time it had been contacted by the diocese about allegations that saw two teachers put on administrative leave.

"The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle has been in contact with the OCG about the matters referred to in its public statement and we can confirm that it has made the required reports," she said.

"We cannot disclose any further information about these matters at this time."

An OCG spokeswoman said non-disclosure provisions of the Children's Guardian Act precluded them from further comment.

In its statement, the Diocese urged anyone with concerns to contact All Saints' College principal Brian Lacey or the Office of Safeguarding.

Support has been made available to all members of the Maitland school community through the Diocesan Employee Assistance Program.