Who would send their kids to a boarding school?

A former staff member at a prestigious NSW school who performed the same role as a house mistress recently sentenced over sleeping with several pupils has been charged with sexually assaulting a young boy in his care.

Jacob Charles Woods, 36, is in custody, accused of raping an 11-year-old boy while working as a housemaster in his late teens at The Armidale School in the state’s north in 2001.

Mr Woods’ December 17 arrest comes three months after a 25-year-old woman, who legally cannot be named, was handed a two-year suspended jail sentence for having sex with five male students, aged 15 to 17, over a period of several months during 2014 and 2015 while she was employed at the GPS school.

The Herald is not suggesting the allegations against Mr Woods, who is charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault and one of aggravated indecent assault against a person under 16 years, are linked to the former housemistress in any way.

In a December 27 letter to the school community, TAS headmaster Murray Guest urged past students to come forward with other potential claims against Mr Woods, despite being unaware “of there being any other past students involved in these specific allegations”.

“But I appeal directly to our alumni body to please come forward and let us know if you, or someone else you know, may have been a victim,” Mr Guest said.

“It is also extremely important for our current families to be aware that we remain vigilant against all forms of inappropriate behaviour and that our students know to tell someone straight away if anyone makes them feel uncomfortable.”

Armidale detectives have called for anyone who may have information on the investigation to contact police.

It is the third scandal involving allegations of sexual abuse to hit the school in more than a decade, following the 2007 arrest of English teacher Jeremy Roberts, who later pleaded guilty to distributing child pornography, which did not involve students.

In his letter, Mr Guest said the charges against Mr Woods related to his seven-month tenure as a duty master at the school.

“No concerns were raised with us about his behaviour towards any students until May this year when a solicitor for a former student contacted the school,” he said.

“When Mr Woods was employed by the school he had been recommended by his principal, was background checked and he attended a child protection seminar.”

Mr Guest said he was shocked to learn of the accusations against Mr Woods and the school notified police immediately.

“According to the usual protocols, we were asked not to communicate about the matter while the police did their work, but were are informing you now that charges have been laid,” he said.

Mr Woods, from Tamworth, was denied bail by a Tamworth Local Court magistrate on December 18 and is expected to front court again early next year.

Following the sentencing of the female staff member in the NSW District Court in September, Mr Guest wrote a letter to the school community revealing new measures against future abuse, including the introduction of "house mothers" in the four boys' boarding houses.

From the SMH.