Mark Betts suspended from teaching at Catholic schools

A long-time teacher charged over historic allegations of sexually assaulting students in central western NSW has been suspended from casual teaching at a number of Sydney schools.

Teacher Mark Betts has been suspended from casual teaching after being charged over historic abuse allegations.

A long-time teacher charged over historic allegations of sexually assaulting students in central western NSW has had his working with children check temporarily barred, resulting in his suspension from casual teaching.

Catholic Schools Broken Bay’s schools director Danny Casey sent a letter to parents and carers on April 2 advising Mark Betts had been suspended from working at their schools, where he had been casual teaching since 1995.

Betts, 68, was charged on March 31 with 20 offences relating to the alleged sexual assault of students while he was a primary school teacher in Kelso, near Bathurst, between 1988 and 1990.

“On March 31, Catholic Schools Broken Bay became aware of a Working with Children Check bar placed on one of CSBB’s casual teachers, Mr Mark Betts,” Mr Casey wrote.

“Later that day, CSBB became aware through media outlets that Mr Betts had been charged with multiple alleged historical child sex offences between 1988 and 1990.

Mark Betts was charged by police on March 31.

“You may already have become aware of this through the news.”

Mr Casey said Betts had been immediately suspended from teaching at any CSBB school, assuring parents and carers the charges did not relate to students within the CSBB system.

Mark Betts will face Gosford Local Court on May 26.

“The safety and wellbeing of our students is our highest priority, and we remain committed to upholding the highest standards of safeguarding in our schools,” Mr Casey said.

“Reports such as these can be distressing for all, including our students.”

Mr Casey also said CSBB was in contact with the relevant authorities and had enacted internal safeguarding protocols.

“If you think it appropriate, I encourage you to have an open conversation with your child,” Mr Casey wrote.

Mark Betts will face Gosford Local Court on May 26.

“It is important for students to know they can always speak to a trusted adult about their feelings or experiences.”

CSBB manages 44 schools – 36 primary and eight secondary – with approximately 15,000 students, at locations stretching from Willoughby on Sydney’s lower north shore to Lake Munmorah on the Central Coast.

Police will allege Betts targeted students during schooltime, with detectives launching an investigation in May 2023 after receiving a number of reports.

Betts was arrested at Sydney International Airport on March 29 and charged with 15 counts of sexual or indecent assault of a person under 16 years old while under his authority, four counts of sexual intercourse with a person between 10 and 16 years old while under his authority, and sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 10.

He will next face Gosford Local Court on May 26.

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