One of Sydney's most prestigious private schools, Knox Grammar, has formally apologised after a royal commission heard allegations that it ignored and covered up the sexual abuse of students for more than 30 years. The abuse included fondling, masturbation, and requests for oral sex involving multiple young boys and teenagers. The school never reported any allegations to New South Wales police, despite numerous complaints, and key documents kept by different headmasters have disappeared without explanation.
During the opening address of the hearing, counsel representing Knox Grammar, Geoffrey Watson, offered an apology on behalf of the school. “Some were young men and some were only boys [when the abuse occurred]. The damage has extended to families of the students. There is no excuse,” he said. “The school had a primary responsibility to students and families to keep them safe from this sort of thing, the school failed. The school humbly apologises for the failure.” Watson acknowledged that an apology could only go so far and said the school had since implemented protective measures.
John Rentoul, whose son David was abused at the school, wept as he recounted his son’s death, which he said was a direct result of the abuse. David died from illnesses exacerbated by anxiety and depression at age 44. Rentoul, a former teacher at Knox, expressed anger at the school’s handling of the allegations. “It’s reprehensible that these men continued to teach at Knox. I believe Knox is more interested in protecting its reputation rather than ensuring the welfare of students,” he told the commission.
Another witness, known as ARY, blamed the abuse culture on former headmaster Ian Paterson, saying he dragged the school through a “dark age”. ARY stated that certain teachers were known as “touchers” but that students who complained were seen as weak. The commission also heard from a student, ATQ, who said a psychologist told him that Paterson used to visit the office and cry. Counsel assisting the royal commission, David Lloyd, said the hearing would focus on what information was known by employees and council members about the abuse and their response to that knowledge.
Lloyd noted that three teachers at Knox, who have not faced criminal proceedings, are accused of perpetuating abuse between 1970 and 2003. He also highlighted that multiple documents related to the abuse have disappeared with no explanation, raising questions about the school’s culture regarding child safety.
