UPDATE: A TEACHER at a top private Melbourne school who served a “pastoral role” caring for students has been charged with historical sex offences.

Ivanhoe Grammar teacher, Graeme Harder, was charged last week with 33 counts relating to a male student at the school when the boy was aged 15 and 16, including indecent assault and gross indecency.

Parents at the school, one of Victoria’s most exclusive, were sent an email at 9.17pm yesterday informing them that the 60-year-old teacher was facing serious criminal charges.

“Ivanhoe Grammar School was recently informed by the Victorian police that a staff member at the school has been charged with an alleged sexual offence dating back 25 years,” Ivanhoe acting principal Gerard Foley said in a brief statement.

In his email to parents, who can pay annual school fees of about $25,000 per student, Mr Foley said: “On becoming aware of the charges the teacher has immediately voluntarily stood down and has no further contact with the school while these matters are pending.

“The school is not aware of any risk to any current students and the wellbeing and care of our students remains of the utmost importance.”

media_camera The allegations have sent shock waves through the Ivanhoe Grammar community.

In an online biography where Mr Harder is listed as a trip leader for a school excursion to Thailand this year, he touted his ability to push pupils beyond their limits.

“I’ve always looked for ways to facilitate young people pushing beyond their comfort zone and to express who they really are – these will be two of the great goals I will have for you,” he wrote.

The blog states Mr Harder teaches middle-school history and English and has a “pastoral role” as a form tutor.

It states he had previously led several trips to overseas destinations but was “especially pleased” to be leading the most recent.

“Remember, there is more in you than you think!” the biography concludes.

Earlier yesterday, the Herald Sun approached Ivanhoe Grammar about one of its teachers being charged with sex offences.

But last night’s email to hundreds of parents — that has sent shock waves through the wealthy co-ed school community — was not sent until after the newspaper’s inquiries.

One concerned parent told the Herald Sun: “I question why the school chose to inform parents of such a serious charge in a late-night email. There must have been a better way of communicating this.’’

Another parent, whose children are in years 8 and 10, said she was “surprised” to hear of the charges.

“Obviously it is a concern that it might have happened 25 years ago,” the parent said today.

“I’m concerned that nothing was picked up then or if it was, that nothing was done.”

Dad Leo Athanasakis said he had full faith the school would act in the best interest of its students.

“We have great faith in the school and we are sure it will be manage this like most things in the school,” he said.

The Herald Sun understands a recording was made of a conversation between the former student and Mr Harder.

He had worked at the school for many years.

After a number of school leadership and management positions, Mr Harder recently returned to the classroom.

“The result is a re-energised me,” he said in a LinkedIn post.

“This has been a seriously good transition and I have now set course with a firm aim to be a relevant and successful classroom practitioner.”

In his statement to the Herald Sun, Mr Foley said the charges related to incidents 25 years ago but Mr Harder had worked at the school until the alleged offences came to light.

He said the school was not yet aware of the details of the allegations, but the Herald Sun understands they relate to a former pupil who confronted Mr Harder as part of the police investigation.

Mr Harder is due to appear in court at the end of May.

kathryn.powley@news.com.au