But Mr Crowley also made it clear in his first press conference in his new high-pressure role at St Kevin's he would not be returning to the Ballarat school.

Mr Crowley was called in to lead the beleaguered Toorak boys school following a scandal with the past principal and numerous other staff over the handling of child grooming case exposed last week on Four Corners.

Mr Crowley also continually reiterated he would use the model of reconciliation with victims, child protection and efforts toward healing that he implemented at St Patrick's in the hope to get St Kevin's through its trouble period.

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Multiple news organisations pressed him for more information about additional teachers who have been dismissed from the elite college in Toorak on the weekend but Mr Crowley would not give details of the individual cases.

He instead referred to his success in bringing the St Patrick's College community together on the issue of child abuse over his time in Ballarat, as the best way forward for St Kevin's.

"You will know that our journey at St Patrick's College, as a community to acknowledge truthfully our past, has seen us become a very close-knit community with survivors, with our current staff, with our parents," he said.

"I literally gave (staff) two hours notice that I was leaving so there are a lot of people hurting and I am very sorry for that hurt. I've made the decision because I think I have something to offer.

"I don't think it's fair for them to hang on for 12 months, I said to them I needed to say goodbye."

You can watch the full interview here.

Mr Crowley said he was first contacted by Edmynd Rice Education Australia about the job on Thursday last week, before making the difficult decision to leave Ballarat.

"I thought about it carefully with my family," he said.

"It's been an incredibly difficult few days for me.

"You will know that our journey at St Patrick's College, as a community to acknowledge truthfully our past, has seen us become a very close-knit community with survivors, with our current staff, with our parents."

Mr Crowley said although his current role was as Acting Principal, he hoped he would eventually be appointed in a permanent position.

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