A spokesman for the Anglican Church, which has two chairs on the Cranbrook school board, said that the church was disappointed at the evidence given by the headmaster. Cranbrook headmaster Nicholas Sampson: wrote to parents. Credit:Craig Sillitoe "We do agree that his response at Geelong Grammar in 2004 was, as he told the commission, 'just not good enough'." Despite several senior staff at Geelong Grammar raising concerns about Harvey's relationship with children since the early 1990's, he was given permission to allow students to stay at his residence on the school's campus, where it was alleged he sexually abused students and provided students with alcohol. Harvey was jailed in 2007 for 10 months, with a further 22 months suspended, after pleading guilty to abusing a former student known as BLF between 1976 and 1978.

After Mr Sampson advised Harvey to retire, Mr Sampson penned a hand-written note commending the teacher's "outstanding service". Cranbrook School in Sydney's eastern suburbs. Credit:Danielle Smith "You have been a wonderful teacher, an outstanding housemaster, a thoughtful colleague and a tremendous and committed schoolmaster," he wrote. "On a personal note, thank you for your friendship and kindness towards my family." Private correspondence between Mr Sampson and Harvey tendered to the royal commission also reveals that Mr Sampson authorised Harvey's contract to be paid out in full for an extra year after he retired. Former Geelong Grammar teacher Jonathan Harvey. Credit:Luis Ascui

Harvey earned $64,348 despite not working a day in 2005. The commission also heard Mr Sampson did not report the allegations or Harvey's suggested retirement to the Victorian Institute of Teachers or the Victorian Police, after he was informed of Harvey's alleged assaults by a victim's brother, known as BLW in early 2004. Mr Sampson left Geelong to take up a position at the Marlborough School in the UK a month after the allegations against Harvey were raised. He defended his decision to allow Mr Harvey to continue teaching at the school for six months after he was made aware of the allegations. "It was partly to do with the continuity of the lessons and partly because there was no continuing risk to students," said Mr Sampson. "This was an historic allegation – there hadn't been any sense of continuing or recent risk." Mr Sampson told counsel assisting the commission, David Lloyd, that the victim's wish was for Harvey to leave the school and for his identity to remain confidential.

"I would have done things very very differently if I knew what I know now," said Mr Sampson, while also defending some of the actions taken over a decade ago. "We didn't hide anything, we didn't delay anything, and we tried to get the outcome that the victims wanted." Fairfax Media understands that some members of the Cranbrook school board are standing behind their beleaguered headmaster. The hearing continues. ❏ Support is available for anyone who may be distressed by stories concerning child sexual abuse: Lifeline 13 11 14; MensLine 1300 789 978; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800.