Trial for Vic teacher on abuse charges

Elisa Errichiello (left)
Elisa Errichiello (left) has been committed to stand trial on historical child abuse charges. -AAP Image

A Victorian teacher charged with historical child abuse offences has been committed to stand trial in the County Court.

Elisa Errichiello, 51, was charged with two counts of indecent act with a child under 16 and three counts of sexual penetration of a child under 16.

The alleged incidents were between May 1997 and May 1999 when Errichiello was a teacher at Catholic Regional College in Melbourne's northwest.

The alleged victim was a student at the school.

Magistrate Olivia Trumble on Wednesday determined there was sufficient evidence for Errichiello to be committed for trial on five child abuse offences.

Another 21 charges were either withdrawn by the prosecution or struck out by the magistrate.

Errichiello pleaded not guilty to the five charges.

She was released on bail ahead of a directions hearing next month. 

During the committal hearing, the court was told Errichiello and the alleged victim went to gay nightclubs and bars together in the late 1990s.

A friend of the alleged victim said she thought Errichiello and the girl had feelings for each other, although she never saw them be overtly affectionate.

Former Catholic Regional College principal Greg Wade also gave evidence on Wednesday, telling the court Errichiello had been a "quiet achiever" who got along with everyone. 

He was taken to a letter sent to Errichiello in November 1999, which referenced a meeting Mr Wade had with the accused and another senior member of the school.

The letter noted the meeting was about Errichiello's relationship with students although it did not suggest she had acted inappropriately.

Mr Wade could not recall the meeting when questioned but accepted it happened and no disciplinary action took place. 

He also said he rehired Errichiello as a casual staff member at the school in 2004 after she spent some time overseas.