Knox Grammar School - History

History

Knox Grammar School was established on Sydney's North Shore in 1924, by the Presbyterian Church. The school was named after John Knox, the 16th century Scottish reformer, who planned a network of schools in every church parish.

Knox opened as a Presbyterian Boys' School after founding members John Gilmore, William McIlrath, Robert Gillespie and Andrew Reid purchased the original property, 'Earlston', as the first school building. Now the Gillespie Heritage House, 'Earlston' was previously owned by Sir Charles Mackellar, was designed by architects Spain & Cosh, and built in 1908 for W. Moses Esq., Warrawee.

The school was officially opened by the Hon. Sir George Fuller KCMG, Premier of New South Wales, on 5 February 1924. Under the founding Headmaster Neil MacNeil, a Rhodes Scholar, Knox grew rapidly both in academic achievement and by providing students with skills in areas like woodwork and metalwork. Under MacNeil, Knox was able to survive the Great Depression, and saw expanded facilities. Student numbers rose from 28 in 1924 to over 300 in 1939.

In 1939, Dr William Bryden took over the role of Headmaster. As World War II broke out, around 370 Old Knox Grammarians served in the armed forces. 53 of them lost their lives and are now commemorated in the John Williams Memorial Hall, the School Chapel, the Old Students' War Memorial, and the original Science Building. Despite this hardship of war, Bryden oversaw growth in the School's academic standing and a further expansion of facilities in the 1940s and early 1950s. It was also during this time the Pipe Band was established.

Dr John Mill Couper, a Scot, became Headmaster in 1953. Couper focused on broadening the School's education, with attention to music and art, however, problems culminated in Couper's departure from a divided Knox in 1955.

These problems were short-lived and the next Headmaster, Dr T Ross McKenzie- former head of Brisbane Boys College, provided a management style that saw Knox become one of the top independent schools in New South Wales. The school's fifth Headmaster, Dr Ian Paterson, initiated further developments including a substantial building program, the strengthening of music and improved academic results.

In 1999, Peter Crawley, former Head of Trinity Grammar School in Melbourne, became Knox's sixth Headmaster. Crawley's term saw the School move into the 21st century with an innovative program of technology and computer-based learning. He retired from the School in 2003.