John Alexander Ellem, 66, of Wollongong, will be sentenced in August after pleading guilty to indecently touching the boys.

The offences were committed in the mid-to-late '80s when Ellem (pictured) worked as a teacher at two Illawarra primary schools.

One charge stemmed from an incident at Ellem's home, where he fondled one boy's genitals while the child sat on his lap.

He used his other hand to rub the child's chest until the boy squirmed from his grip.

The same child was also fondled during a car trip when Ellem pulled over at a road-side stop, lifting the boy onto his lap from the passenger seat and then molesting him.

A second boy was touched by Ellem in a classroom during a recess or lunch break.

He approached the boy from behind before putting his hand down the child's pants and rubbing his buttocks.

On another occasion Ellem lowered the child's shorts and underpants and touched his buttocks.

Ellem has pleaded guilty to four counts of indecently assaulting a person aged under 16 under his authority.

Defence barrister Michael Ainsworth told the court yesterday Ellem had changed his life over the past 20 years.

He said his client had faced similar, but separate, charges in 1989 which were ultimately dropped, but at the time had admitted to the inappropriate conduct.

Mr Ainsworth said Ellem had immediately removed himself from the education system, sought counselling and since that time had not re-offended.

Ellem had also dedicated himself to the Anglican Church, Mr Ainsworth said.

Judge Paul Conlon said there were a number of complicating factors in sentencing Ellem and adjourned the matter to August 7.