Brother Christopher Wade, 80, also known as William Henry Wade, was the headmaster of Marist College Canberra from 1993 to 2000, when he retired.

Brother Christopher is currently facing charges in the NSW District Court, but has pleaded not guilty, and is expected to face trial in May.

The indecent assault charges stem from his time at Marist College Kogarah in the late 1970s, well before he arrived in Canberra.

Wade has been before the court for more than a year, and was bailed last August.

Students from Marist Canberra have recently approached Fairfax Media, frustrated that the school community has not been informed.

Bravehearts, the anti-child-abuse campaign group, also criticised the lack of communication to the school community.

Bravehearts founder Hetty Johnston said openness and transparency were crucial in encouraging other victims to come forward. She said it was frightening that the Catholic Church appeared still not to "understand the basics".

"The school has a responsibility to reach out to the students who trusted it, and the parents who entrusted these institutions with their children," she said.

"You won't be judged about what you do when you don't know, but you will be judged, and judged harshly, about what you do when you do know."

In response, the Marist Brothers Province of Australia said the charges were not related "in any way" to the Canberra school.

The order issued a short statement reiterating its call for victims to come forward, and restating its apology to anyone harmed by abuse.

Current Marist College Canberra headmaster Richard Sidorko said he had not been aware of the charges against Brother Christopher.

"I was unaware of the charges, and normally when I am aware of things it's always been our practice to communicate with the school community on such matters," he said.

Brother Christopher began his career in the Marist order in 1955, teaching at a school in Parramatta.

He also taught at Marist schools in Lidcombe, Hunters Hill, Eastwood, Randwick, and Newcastle.

Brother Christopher was the headmaster of five different schools, and taught at 10 schools during his career.