A priest charged with sexually assaulting a student at St Stanislaus' College in Bathurst was told in court today not to try to contact witnesses.

Kevin Phillips, 58, faced Downing Centre Local Court after being charged with attempted homosexual intercourse of a student by a teacher, a gross act of indecency and supplying cannabis.

Kevin Phillips, right ... accused of sex offences. Credit:Kate Geraghty

The charges are alleged to have occurred at the school in 1990, when Phillips worked for a few months as a priest, sports coach and part-time teacher.

Facing the media outside court, Phillips, dressed in a green sports coat and trousers, refused to comment.