BishopAccountability.org

Child abuse royal commission report into Knox Grammar School released

By Ean Higgins, Dan Box
Australian
September 13, 2016

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/child-abuse-royal-commission-report-into-knox-grammar-school-released/news-story/60ac4fd3f46f4cdbc269d9d8dacbb0aa

Former headmaster of Knox Grammar School, Dr Ian Paterson, leaves the Royal Commission.
Photo by Bradley Hunter

Knox Grammar School.
Photo by Troy Snook

The Child Abuse Royal Commission has released its report into Sydney’s elite Knox Grammar School, which finds the former long serving headmaster Ian Paterson gave evidence on oath that was “clearly incorrect” and that he “covered-up” allegations of abuse by staff.

Dr Paterson told the commission he only heard of one instance of sex abuse at the school but the commission has found he knew of allegations against two named teachers, as well as a third who had an affair with a student and a fourth who assaulted a 14-year-old while wearing a balaclava.

The Royal Commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse found Dr Paterson failed to prioritise the welfare of the boys at Knox over the reputation of the school by covering up allegations in relation to two teachers and failing to notify the parents of boys who had made allegations.

A number of former students reported the abuse to police in 2009 following the establishment of Strike Force Arika, which investigated allegations of historical child sex offences at Knox.

Five teachers from Knox — Roger James, Adrian Nisbett, Damien Vance, Craig Treloar and Barrie Stewart — were charged and later convicted of child sex offences against students.

Dr Paterson told the Royal Commission that, during his 29 years in the role, he was only aware of one instance of sexual abuse, involving Mr Vance.

The Royal Commission found that was clearly incorrect and that Dr Paterson was aware of allegations in relation to Mr Nisbett, Mr Treloar, Mr Stewart and an ‘affair’ between then student Anthony Carden and teacher, known as ARZ.

Mr Nisbett continued to teach at Knox until 2004 and Mr Treloar continued to teach at Knox until 2009.

The Royal Commission found that Dr Paterson provided misleading and positive references to former teachers James and n Vance.

The Royal Commission found that, during Dr Paterson’s time as headmaster of Knox, his attitude and the culture he fostered at the school were dismissive of allegations of child sexual abuse and that he deliberately withheld information from the Knox Council, the body responsible for the management of the school.




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