An Auckland school has appealed to the High Court to stop its name being published in connection with its jailed former deputy principal

Lawrence Peter Stephens was sentenced to two years and four months in August for possessing child abuse and bestiality images.

An application for permanent suppression of the school's name was declined at sentencing.

On appeal, the school's lawyer says publication would create an indelible link between Stephens' offending and the school, which had nothing to do with his crimes.

He says no students from the school were involved, and it happened in Stephens' spare time.

Justice Geoffrey Venning reserved his decision.