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Ballarat teacher Damien Woods charged with child sexual abuse and grooming offences

Police have charged Ballarat High School teacher Damien Woods with child sexual offences. 

Mr Woods, 47, was arrested by detectives from Ballarat Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team on January 19.

A Victoria Police spokesperson said: "Police executed a warrant at an Alfredton address and seized items of interest".

Mr Woods was charged with grooming offences, sexual activity directed at a child and sexual penetration.

He was bailed and will appear at Ballarat Magistrates Court in April.

Principal pens letter to community

In a letter sent to the school community sighted by the ABC, principal Gary Palmer said Mr Woods was no longer working at the school.

Mr Palmer wrote that the offences related to one child.

"We were very concerned to learn of this and I assure you our number one priority is always the safety and wellbeing of our students," Mr Palmer wrote in the letter.

"We take our responsibilities for child safety very seriously and our school is following all department protocols regarding child safety standards and other relevant processes in relation to this matter."

It is understood wellbeing support is in place for students and staff who require it.

A Department of Education and Training spokesperson said it was not appropriate to comment as the case was before the court.

Mr Woods was an associate of the Ballarat Arts Foundation, an organisation that supports local artists and the arts in the city.

In a statement to the ABC, the board said Mr Woods resigned from his position as an associate on Saturday.

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