A Catholic brother and former principal of a Sydney school has been charged with child abuse offences dating back more than three decades.

Police will allege David Standen, 65, molested eight boys, all aged 12, when he was a teacher at St Patrick's, Goulburn, between 1978 and 1980.

Former St Mary's Cathedral College principal David Standen is arrested at Sydney Airport.

Brother Standen, who also goes by the name William Peter Standen, was the principal at St Mary's Cathedral College for a decade before he retired in 2010.

He cared for thousands of boys during his 37-year teaching career, during which time he spent six years as the deputy principal at St Dominic's College, Penrith.