Melbourne private school Trinity Grammar has paid out $500,000 to a former student sexually abused by a teacher the school heads had labelled a “hero”.

Christopher Howell was a senior teacher at the exclusive school for more than 40 years. He took his own life in January 2016, three days before he was due to face court on an indecent assault charge.

On the day of the scheduled court appearance, then headmaster Michael Davies and his deputy Rohan Brown paid tribute to Howell’s “extraordinary legacy” despite knowing he had been charged with the child sex crime.

“To many, including those penning this letter, Chris Howell was, is and always will be the best educator we have known,” they wrote in the letter to the school community.

“He was a hero to many who worked with him and walked alongside him...he always worked in the best interest of the boys.”