Dilworth School has apologised to the victims of Ian Robert Wilson, who has been jailed for three years and seven months for indecently assaulting young boys.
Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook
The former assistant principal, scoutmaster and history teacher pleaded guilty to six charges of indecent assault on a boy under 16, and one of doing an indecent act, which took place in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and one in 1990.
His previous conviction for similar offending in 1997 was also revealed.
In a statement, the Dilworth Trust Board chairman Aaron Snodgrass said the offending was a gross breach of trust by a senior master at the school.
"The school apologises to the victim and to all former students who are victim-survivors of Ian Wilson and deeply regrets the abuse they endured."
Ian Robert Wilson. Photo: RNZ /Jordan Bond
Regarding the offending in the late 1990s, Snodgrass said the school helped police but at the time it was policy to seek name suppression.
"Today, to ensure we are able to communicate openly with our community and to encourage other victims to come forward, our policy is now to no longer seek name suppression in relation to historical abuse matters before the courts," Snodgrass said.
"We will also support the lifting of name suppression if it is requested by a survivor, as has been the case with Ian Wilson."
He also said Dilworth had support services available for old boys, and was supportive of anyone who wanted to contact the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care regarding experiences from their time at Dilworth.
