Richard Neville: my school of hard Knox
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Three teachers from Sydney’s Knox Grammar school have been arrested by police on charges of indecently assaulting children. The acts allegedly occurred in 1979, 1984 and 1987, which suggests the victims have brooded over the assault for decades. Some students from Knox came to the court after learning of the arrests and said they were shocked. One boy blurted out that “the school has a proud tradition and this is very disturbing”, which is true. When I attended the school half a century ago, assaults on children were almost a daily occurrence. A current charge relates to a teacher “repeatedly stroking a boy’s p-nis with his hands”, while in my day, the teachers repeatedly stroked our bare bottoms with canes. Afterwards they said, “Let this be a lesson to you”. Such assaults were vicious and had been going on since 1924, when Knox was founded by the Presbyterian Church (now the Uniting Church). It is why the school’s official colours are black and blue. Even today, a journal of Knox rugby supporters is proudly entitled Black&Blue. Even the school song emphasises the hands-on physicality of a Knox education: “Do not think that we’ll forget, the lessons that we treasure yet”. It seems the students who filed the latest complaints have not forgotten their lessons. It was at prep school in the 1950s where some of the teachers unleashed their inner sadist. I saw boarders as young as seven caned for minuscule infringements as soon as they stepped out of the shower, watched by trembling infants. An older boy was flogged until his backside bled, which elicited a rare complaint from the steely matron to the icy house-master, himself a dab hand with the lash. The victim’s crime? Caught red handed at the back of the bicycle shed stroking his p-nis. Keep in mind that the school motto, Virile Agitur, means “doing the manly thing”. In 1953 Knox acquired a new headmaster from Scotland, John Couper, who wanted to focus on music and art, and always carried a souvenir of his homeland, a tawse, a thick leather strap used for the purpose of teaching Latin. Despite this, he was at heart a dreamy poet, and was sacked by the governors in 1956. Most of the teachers went on strike in his support and were sacked. Knox became known as the school without a head. It never had much of a heart and by now it hardly had any teachers, though school fees were not reduced. Our class pretty much put itself through the final year without being distracted by teachers or corporal punishment. It was long after my day that some of the Knox staff seemed to have initiated a cultural shift from sp-nking to w-nking. Perhaps they were trying to keep up with the times. In one of the recent assaults on a student body, a teacher allegedly recorded it on a digital camera. As today’s revelations of alleged Knox goings on may unleash a witch hunt against gay teachers, I should mention that in my era of “beat ‘em black & blue”, the most compassionate teachers were closet homos-xuals, who rarely resorted to violence. Back then, the “stroking of p-nis” activities usually took place between the boys, often in the back of the classroom, and did not require a teacher’s helping hand. As I write, s-xual assault complaints from former students at Knox continue to roll in and the school has offered counselling to former pupils. This will be interesting. lan Paterson, headmaster of the school during the 1980s, said he would not comment on the recently aired allegations, except to express his disbelief that such a thing could have occurred. “I hadn’t a clue what was going on,” Dr Paterson said, but headmasters rarely do. So let this be a lesson to you, sir.
Richard Neville and the Under-13 Bs |
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23 Comments
Cathy - as someone who went to an elite private school more recently than Richard, I couldn’t agree with you more - re “I’m certain you’ll find these so-called elite schools are environments for closet activities simply because the snobby parents and the schools agree to cover up their joint involvement in scandals tarnishing reputations that don’t exist.”
When I attended it would be Spartan law with alleged sexual contact. If you were caught, the teacher would suddenly disappear and no police would be contacted. If you weren’t, the school was … excuse the pun …. your playground.
Another example of elite private schools colluding to protect their reputations and leaving their former students to fend for themselves. As a high earning family we send both our children to a govt secondary school where they are receiving an excellent education in a safe and accountable environment. They both love school and are performing academically and are resilient and confident. I love listening to middle class parents trying to explain their choice to pay $20k pa fees and the reasons why the govt system could not be suitable for their child. The parental guilt they display is perfectly exploited by the private school sector and its marketing managers.
Greg - as a private school student sent off to Fort Street Girls High I can see the benefits of the two curricula. The facilities in private schools are superb and well-resourced - they’re elite and they do provide an alternative for those needing to board. Which is why these institutions should be squeaky clean and why its disappointing to know that some parents of Knox day students prefer to take the compensation and run. How vulnerable are boarders when parents of day school students coerce with the school to suppress bullying and physical assault. In the public system the government wears the flack - in the private system Knox prefers to keep its reputation and millions of dollars in school fees.
Pdev please don’t trust that your children are safe from abuse just because you choose not send them to an “elite private school”. Dermot makes some good points on how to better protect your kids.
Tara asks “Why must such a debate resort to insults?” But frankly the cheap shot that Tara wrote in the line preceding this plaintive cry is extraordinarily insulting and distasteful. It is both defamatory and stupidity in the extreme to imply that other teachers are pedophiles merely because they are employed at the same school as another who is alleged to be a pedophile.
Damien says “The Knox administration deserves more than embarrassment from its atrocious management of these allegations - via an irresponsible internal investigation” but does Damian know enough to support these accusations, or do the facts simply not matter when there are points to be scored?
It is distressing to see such an important issue turn into a petty debate about private v public schooling.
We should stop being judge and jury on these matters before the evidence has even been examined by the Court.
It is what we would expect for ourselves if accusations were made against us.
If you want to inform yourself then read the article cited below. We know nothing about the character of those who are making these allegations, and therefore we are not in a position to say whether the allegations are genuine or false, or whether in fact they are actaully malicious.
In his opinion piece Richard writes “The acts allegedly occurred in 1979, 1984 and 1987, which suggests the victims have brooded over the assault for decades.” Here’s another - researched - view: Allegations of Childhood Abuse Repressed Memories or False Memories? PSYCHIATRY, PSYCHOLOGY AND LAW VOLUME 2, NUMBER, 1 APRIL 1995, pp 97-105. Donald M Thomson Department of Psychology Edith Cowan University Perth, Western Australia.
Cathy - your elitism comments are way off the mark - the era in which Richard and I went to so called “elite” schools was one of necessity. In my case 95% of boarders were boys from the bush and the rest of us had parents living in wilder parts of the world with no education facilities.
The problem which has arisen through a number of Catholic schools could hardly be described as elitist establishments - or is that an elitist comment?
I’m certain you’ll find these so-called elite schools are environments for closet activities simply because the snobby parents and the schools agree to cover up their joint involvement in scandals tarnishing reputations that don’t exist. Instead of being forthright to protect future generations and rid these institutions of hypocritical activites certain to attract the bent the parents and the schools stand equally condemned. Hence years later the wounded kids come forward to tell of ruined lives. Money doesn’t even buy silence….just time.
Sarah, in my ‘defamatory and stupidity’ comment I was actually being metaphorical.
I am not discussing this case per se I am speaking generally about my belief that such issues should be aired and given the consideration they deserve, if not for the sake of those making the allegations but for the future students that may be spared harm.
I was educated by the Christian Brothers in the 70s and so was no stranger to the use of corporal punishment - though the locus of beatings was the hands (six of the best) and the implement was a stitched leather strap. Like Greg, below, if teacher tried it on my children now, they’d probably pay the price for such treatment and for those earlier beatings as well. The Knox administration deserves more than embarrassment from its atrocious management of these allegations - via an irresponsible internal investigation and face saving resignation of one of the accused teachers (I wonder where he worked afterwards?) - and failure to refer the allegations to the Police. The school is a mandatory notifier! Knox’s actions seem to perpetuate a cynical, elite prvate school culture of denial and cover-up which was revealed and amply documented by the Wood Police Royal Commission (Paedophilia) Inquiry in 1997. It’s similar to the behaviour George Pell was deservedly lambasted for last year in the face of similar allegations. It seems to me that the school has over a period of 20 years or more placed its institutional interests above those of the children placed in its care. At the very least the responsible administrators should be prosecuted and who ever remains should be required to explain why it should continue to be registered as a school. And David, it doesn’t matter how long ago it was.
Cathy you are the one screaming elitism. Idon’t know why Fort street is hardly a bog standard comprehensive. It is a selective elite school.
To look at the history of the treatment of kids in the 50’s and 60’s assault whether sexual or physical was not confined to elite schools. It was common in all forms of congregate care schools orphanages state homes and institutions. that was the way it was. A different era. not accceptable but common.
that said justice after 20 years is a problem which is why there should be limitation periods on all crimes execept homicide.
Tara thanks for the comment Iam also getting a little annoyed with blokes talking about beatings and sex assault as if one trumps the other sound like the three Yorkshiremen Looxury!
i aint omnipotent though i do know quite a bit about the law as it is what I do. I also know a good bit about bullying including what happened to someone very close to me whose parents would do nothing.
Cathy sorry to be rude but my head is atop my body and I was sober. The ‘elite’ thing gets my goat and the idea that only ‘elite’ schools draw the wagons around where there is bullying and sexual assault is laughable.
To reiterate:
.These matters are serious and warrant immediate police attention so if you hear about something report it.
.if you are a parent talk to your kid and support them. My parents did when i was bullied. it helps
. There are serious problems in obtaining a just outcome the investigation and trial of allegations from years ago, which is why statutes of limitation should apply
.go away money like organisations used to give helps nobody.
we are on 18 posts on a non political thread
Tara I take your point that physical brutality by teachers is not in the same category as sexual abuse but the issue is germane. One of my old school friends has written saying my earlier note did not go far enough and should have raised the matter of bullying which was in his words not only condoned but perhaps encouraged. I wouldn’t go that far but the fact remains - overt brutality permeated these schools. Like your father Tara, I shrug it off - almost a badge of honour - but when my own kids turned seven I couldn’t believe such physical and emotional savagery could be perpetrated on children so young. It was then I became angry at deeds past. How this compares with sexual abuse I can only imagine - to the best of my knowledge it didn’t happen; or did it?
Shouldn’t there be some sort of statute of limitations on this sort of criminal action? The actions complained of seem hardly likely to lead to lifelong trauma. Shouldn’t we regain our sense of proportion - and get the boys in blue and the DPP back onto the real stuff?
I went to a lot of schools. It was the catholics for me. Never had my privates stroked but I was caned on the bottom in a Catholic brother’s bedroom. I was a pretty kid and often confused about the amount of affection being foisted on my by those who hadnbeen entrusted with my aelfare. Caning happen of ourdse. HItting people for Jesus was certainly popular back in the 40s.
Wouldn’t let my kids near a Catholic school if they offered mr free cake. Good to know the reform churches were as bad. Horray for the kids who are coming forward. It can have a sad effect on life.
Forgot to mention, well done on getting a Richard Neville commentary in. Richard is an Aussie legend in my books.
Notwithstanding your omniscience and extensive experience, dermot, if you would read her post correctly, cathy was not suggesting the allegations refer to events taking place last week. She is saying that if the allegations had not been made, this type of abuse could potentially go on unchecked. I would be willing to bet there were no penises being stroked at Knox *this* week.
Why must such a debate resort to insults?
Thanks for that Tara…I just came back from a Save Hastings Point from developers meeting with Frank Sartor to read Dermot under some influence trying to defend himself. Sometimes we need a helping hand. Thanks Tara …thanks!
Sorry you had your bottom spanked by the teachers at Knox — seriously. It’s terrible. All corporal punishment of helpless kids is cowardly and barbaric.
Now why the hell is that experience being compared to these kids being indecently assaulted by their teachers? A ‘legitimate’ form of punishment that is done openly and indiscriminately (no matter how brutal) is just not the same as the secret, shaming act of indecent assault. Why do you think it has taken these people this long to come forward? My father quite casually mentions ‘Brother’ whacking him with the cane at St Joseph’s up the front of the class, but I doubt he would ever consider being cloistered alone with a Brother and having his genitals fondled to be in quite the same category as that.
Why don’t you write a piece about how you got drunk and shagged someone, then compare that to people who are date raped? I just don’t get the connection, Richard.
Cathy get over yourself you little twit. Did it hard sweetums awww you had a sex worker in your year. Big woop. I knew several through uni including the head of the sex workers collective at the time. If you examine the era mentioned in the allegations 70’s 80’s you will find the same thing it was still rife through all of care.. I know I lived throught it allegations about schools public and private and uni colleges as well as the armed forces.
Also learn to read, the allegations are 70’s-80’s not last week
I am close to someone who actually investigated three sex abuse cases in orphanages. I remember saying to her “you lot need coppers not handholders.”
It is a matter for police not paying go away money or stonewalling.
I went to a variety of Catholic boarding schools at the same time as Richard Neville writes of. Same ,same! Corporal punishment brings out the latent sadism in many of the perpetrators.
But really there should be a statute of limitations on these accusations, certainly no later than when the victim has reached his twenties, rather than a specific time limit. Even then it’s hard to see how justice can be done to the accused, memories fade with time, certainly for the witnesses, if not for the victim.
Save Hastings Point from developers what’s that about? more to hear? Crikey Article maybe?
I can’t complain about abuse at the hands of my private school in the same way. I was never caned or sexually abused. But I’m personally furious at my school and remain pissed off at my mother (my dad clearly had no say in the choice of schooling I received) about sending me to this school, where blatant racism (particularly against aborigines, although there were zero aboriginal students in a school population of 1000) and sexism and discrimination against ‘the working classes’ were a daily event. At age 16, I was to the right of John Howard. By the time I’d spent 5 minutes at uni, I’d reversed my politics and my world view. And I’ve never been as unhappy with myself since. Schools are for educating, and for teaching kids to be themselves. Schools which see indoctrination as their role only result in angry ex-pupils.
Dermot - get your head out of wherever it is. Fort Street had its share of rank ordinary students including a working pro in my last year of high school her beat not far from the back gate. You’re waffling on about era’s twenty years before the Knox stuff started that may have continued to this week. Red-herring perceived snobbery doesn’t shift the issue this debate from schools, parents etc being primarily liable for child care and safety and their reputations last.
I was at a private school just up the road from Knox. As a seven year old boarder I too was flogged with a long birch cane - on one occasion because my toothbrush wasn’t wet indicating I hadn’t cleaned my teeth. When a boarder went home for his September holidays his mother noticed blood on his underpants from the cane. This was common - we thought it was normal and for a year we remained terrified. The parent, thank God, complained and the Junior School Headmaster responsible for this reign of terror was asked to leave. Guess what - he went to Knox. An excellent history of my school verifies the brutality and its aftermath.
Caning remained a feature for the rest of my nine years; we lived with it but if anyone had laid a hand in this way on my boys they would have suffered the consequence of decades of deep seated anger.