A Sydney Catholic high school teacher says she's been told not to speak to her legal studies class about Cardinal George Pell's conviction.

Pell was convicted of sexually abusing two choirboys while he was the Archbishop of Melbourne in the 1990s.

He is due to be sentenced on March 13 but has already lodged an appeal and maintains he's innocent.

The Sydney teacher - who asked not to be named - told Hack she was pulled aside by a senior staff member after Pell's conviction was made public and told she could not speak about the case.

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"[The conversation] was reiterating that.. the appeals process was still happening so it should not be talked about until there's a confirmed decision," the teacher said.

"They said the kids shouldn't be speaking about it or be influenced by [my] point of view on the topic in class.

I am so ashamed to work where I do.

The teacher said her students already knew about the case from the news and internet so she felt the school should be upfront about it.

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Whatsapp Cardinal George Pell arrives at the County Court in Melbourne, Tuesday, February 26, 2019.

"It's hard when from the top of the school we're told to teach religious values but the kids know better and they're well informed, so it's not something we can stifle or shy away from," they said.

"I believe we should harness the ability to gather news and resources instead of sweeping this under the rug."

Email sent to Catholic school teachers highlighting Pell's appeal

Hack has seen an email sent to this teacher and all other Catholic school educators in the Archdiocese of Sydney after it was revealed Pell was found guilty.

"The Cardinal has always maintained his innocence and has appealed the conviction, and it may be some time before a final judgement in this matter is reached," it said.

George Pell has been found guilty of child sex offences. Here's what you need to know George Pell's conviction for child sex offences is one of biggest court decisions in Australia in recent years, and it's likely to have some major ramifications around the world. Get up to speed on what happened, and what will happen next.

"This is of course shocking news for us all. But even in such difficult times, the good work of your school communities continues."

The teacher said the email, as well as the subsequent instruction to not speak about the case to her class, gave the impression the conviction wasn't accepted.

"It came across like we're not going to accept this guilty verdict, we need to wait until the appeals process has happened," the teacher said.

"I'm very conflicted because I'm [obligated] to speak, from a curriculum standpoint as well as a religious standpoint."

"Although my personal, political views are a lot less conservative than the Catholic Church, I would've loved to have spoken about it from an education standpoint."

Pastoral support for students and parents around Cardinal Pell

When asked for comment, NSW Catholic Schools referred Hack to the archdiocese for each area saying it doesn't directly advise to schools.

In a statement to Hack, the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney said it will provide 'pastoral support' to parents and students about Pell.

Part of the reason parents choose to send their children to Catholic schools is because of the long history our schools have had in providing pastoral support and ensuring student wellbeing.

"In regards to [advice teachers have been given in regards to talking about Pell], this has been done and will continue to be done as required to the audience it is intended."