"Words cannot express the total shame, guilt, regret and sorrow that consumes me day and night because of the things I have done," he said.
"Believe it or not, these crimes were committed against people I care about very much. I wish I could fix the damage I have caused.
"My crimes have also had awful and drastic consequences for my school community, students, staff, parents, board of trustees and principal. You are all indirectly victims of what I have done. As a teacher and deputy principal I held a position of great trust. My actions betrayed that trust. I have let you all down, causing huge amounts of unnecessary stress. I am truly sorry.
"To my family and friends to whom I have caused immense hurt and unthinkable distress, I cannot even bring myself to beg your forgiveness ...
"Those of you who know me well will know that I am not the monster that many will portray me to be. I am, however, the unwilling host of a most terrible disorder.
"It is my great hope that all who have suffered because of me will now be able to get the help they need. It is also my desperate wish that I too will be able to receive help for this sickness within me.
"Please know that I will be grieving over my actions and the suffering I have caused for the rest of my life. And again, all I can say is I'm sorry."
Much of the hour-long hearing, which attracted a strong media presence, was devoted to the issue of the continuing or lifting of the interim suppression orders that were imposed when Parker made his first court appearance last month. Counsel Alex Witten-Hannah argued that those orders should remain in place until sentencing, given the danger that the victims , if identified, could be subject to bullying.
"I have great concern that serious damage is likely to be done to some of the boys at least if my client's name is released before they have had proper psychological counselling ," he said.
"My client does not wish to see these boys who he has offended against suffer more than they already have."
It was important, Mr Witten-Hannah added, that it be made clear to the community than none of the offences had involved violence, threats of violence or intimidation.
Judge McDonald subsequently noted that the school no longer wished to pursue suppression of the accused's identity. He also found that there was no evidence that lifting the orders would cause extreme hardship for Parker, or undue hardship for his victims, only two of whom sought continued suppression.
Judge McDonald also expressed concern about bullying of the victims.
"None of the victims were at fault," he said.
"It's his (Parker's) fault."
***** Stephen Allen, who described himself as a member of the community, said the iwi of Ngati Kuri, Te Aupouri, Ngai Takoto and Te Rarawa, and the hapu Te Paatu, had met to discuss the situation and would offer support to the victims and their families. They would continue to meet to develop that support, in association with various agencies.
