A Hawke's Bay teacher who fondled his young students at his home has been jailed for three years and four months.

Charles Harter admitted nine charges of indecently assaulting nine girls aged between seven and 12.

The girls were students at Havelock North Primary School, where the 63-year-old was a music and drama teacher.

Judge David Cameron says principal Paul Bremer feels hugely betrayed by Harter, and the victims and their families are traumatised and devastated.