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Knox Grammar School

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Knox Grammar School
File:Knox Grammar Logo.jpg
Virile Agitur
Established 1924
School type Private/ Independent
Headmaster John Weeks
Location Sydney, NSW, Australia
Enrollment approx. 1,700
Colours Black and Blue
Homepage Website


Knox Grammar School is a Uniting Church in Australia school located in Wahroonga in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

It was founded in 1924 by the Presbyterian church as an all-boys school and has since grown, branching out into a large senior school of approximately 1,300 students and a preparatory school of about 400 students. Its grounds boast an indoor 25m pool, fully equipped sports centre, one sports field on-campus at the Senior School, two on-campus at the Prep School, two off-campus in Warrawee, and neighbouring North Turramurra, a music centre, three boarding houses on campus, with a fourth located on the Preparatory School campus in nearby Wahroonga. In addition to its academic programme, the school offers many sports, is the largest secondary school cadet corps in Australia, and activities in the performing arts. The school is one of six private schools that form the Combined Associated Schools.

Knox Grammar was named after John Knox.

Headmasters

  • 1924 - 1938: Neil MacNeil
  • 1939 - 1952: Dr. William Bryden
  • 1953 - 1955: Dr. John Mill Couper
  • 1956 - 1968: Dr. T Ross McKenzie
  • 1969 - 1998: Dr. Ian Paterson
  • 1999 - 2003: Peter Crawley
  • 2004 - Current: John Weeks

Current Headmaster, John Weeks John W Weeks became the 7th Headmaster of Knox Grammar School in 2004. Prior to this, he was the Founding Head of Hunter Valley Grammar School (1989-1996) and the 5th Head of The Illawarra Grammar School (1997-2003).

John is aged 49 years, and has two grown sons Daniel (21) and Robert (19). He is a member of the Australian College of Education (ACE), the Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL), the Association Heads of Independent Schools Australia (AHISA) and Heads of Independent Co-Educational Schools (HICES).

1999 - 2003, Peter Crawley Crawley began his leadership with vast improvements to the school's technology system, with the implementation in 2001 of the school's controversial laptop programme. He also promoted acceleration of gifted students, and under his leadership, the da Vinci programme was established to 'enrich gifted students'. However, issues arose with this due to the large number of boys enrolling for the Da Vinci programme and the slowly deteriorating academic performance. Towards the end of his term as Headmaster, there was increasing controversy and disagreement amongst members of the Knox community and the Knox Council, and late in 2003, he unexpectedly announced his resignation.

1964 - 1998, Dr Ian Paterson - the Paterson era The period saw Dr Ian Paterson as Headmaster of the school. He is generally regarded as one of Australia's best Headmasters and is also one of the longest serving in the history of the nation. He resigned after 35 years in the job and was renown for his incredible leadership talent. Dr Paterson had a hand in all aspects of the school, directing the annual school musical on numerous occasions and coaching sporting teams. He left the school in 1998, but is still heavily involved with the school, despite having taken roles with other schools. The Business Studies building, opened in 1998, was named The Paterson Centre for Business Studies in light of his contribution to the school.

Boarding

Knox Grammar School provides adequate boarding facilities for over 150 boarders. Boarding facilities have been availiable since the school's opening, in 1924. The current Directors of Boarding are Mr and Mrs Norrie Cannon.

Gilmore House Gilmore House is traditionally the Junior Boarding House, accommodating boarders from years 5-8. The current Housemasters are Mr and Mrs Julien Manuel.

Gillespie House Gillespie House was the original school house. It was later converted into a Boarding House, today accommodating Boarders from year 9 and a select number of year 11 "Seniors". The current Housemasters are Mr and Mrs Yooie Choi.

MacNeil House MacNeil House was originally an expansion to Gillespie House, completed to add room to the new school. Today, it accommodates Boarders from year 10 and a select number of year 12 "Seniors". The current Housemasters are Mr and Mrs Mike Lans.

Ewan House Ewan House is a Boarding House at the Prep School. It is a heritage listed building, where it dates back to the late 1890s. After great expansion, it now houses the senior Boarders, years 11 and 12. The current Housemaster is Mr Les Harvey.

School motto

Knox's school motto is a Latin phrase "Virile Agitur", commonly translated as "Act like a man", "The manly thing is being done" or "Do the manly thing".

In addition, the schools promotes four cardinal virtues - Integrity, Wisdom, Compassion and Faith - as part of its missions statement:

Knox Grammar School seeks to be an exemplary school developing, within a caring Christian environment, young men of Integrity, Wisdom, Compassion and Faith; men with a sure knowledge of who they are and how they should live.

Famous Knox Grammarians

Some famous people who attended Knox Grammar School include:

Google Maps views

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