A 23-year-old Valley Heights man, who was hired by the Blacktown-based private school on a one-year contract in 2017, was arrested by officers from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad about 1pm yesterday.

The school was allegedly made aware of complaints against the man in November last year and he was subsequently suspended.

Following questions from the Blacktown Advocate on Wednesday, Principal Jack Joyce issued a statement and said as soon as the allegations came to light, the school notified police, Family and Community Services as well as the State ombudsman.

“The teacher began work on a temporary, one year contract in January 2017, and the offences are alleged to have occurred during the year,” he said.

“While we were not involved in the inquiries into the matter or privy to the details, we understand that the charges are the result of investigations triggered by our reports.”

Mr Joyce said to protect the identity and wellbeing of children he would not comment any further on the matter, however he said the school took child protection “extremely seriously” and said Tyndale was a “child safe school”.

The former teacher was charged with three counts of aggravated indecent assault against the three girls.

He was granted conditional bail following his arrest and is due to appear at Blacktown Local Court on March 27.

Tyndale Christian School caters for about 900 students from Prep to Year 12 and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016.