The headmaster of Knox Grammar School has announced the school's Paterson Centre for Ethics and Business Studies will be renamed, after it was revealed this week that former headmaster Ian Paterson failed to stop the pervasive sexual abuse of students that occurred during his 30-year tenure.
"We sadly cannot allow that name to stay on that building," headmaster John Weeks said outside the royal commission hearing into child-sex abuse in institutions on Friday.
Former student Scott Ashton, who gave evidence to the commission about the years of sexual abuse he endured at the school, welcomed the decision as "fantastic news".
He said that all of the survivors had gathered at a round-table discussion with councillors from the commission on Thursday afternoon to discuss the outcomes they would like to see implemented once the Knox investigation was over.
"Renaming the centre was one of the things that was raised," he said.
A number of Wahroonga residents, who drove past the school building each day, had also told him they found the name offensive, he said.
Although Mr Ashton said he had no immediate suggestions for the centre's new name, he hoped the ordeal of the abuse victims would be acknowledged in some way.
"I don't have the words, but something to reflect the fact that this doesn't happen again."
The decision to rename the centre comes after an online petition was launched by a group of Knox old boys on Wednesday.
The petition, which was being circulated among the Knox community via social media, called for the Paterson centre to be renamed "so as to more appropriately reflect the values of Knox Grammar School and to respect the victims of abuse who have suffered greatly over the years".
One of petition's authors, who wished to remain anonymous, said there was a "huge amount of disgust" and a "lot of anger and amazement" within the old boy community over Dr Paterson's handling of the allegations of sexual abuse against Knox teachers during his period as headmaster from 1969 to 1998.
The extent of the institutional failure under Dr Paterson's headship of the school was revealed during his testimony to the royal commission this week.
Dr Paterson told the commission he was unaware of his legal obligation to report abuse and that he did not realise it was a crime for a teacher to grope or sexually proposition a student.
During the week, he also admitted that he tried to cover up potential litigation against the school, mislead a police officer investigating child abuse allegations and hindered her inquiry into claims against six teachers.
However, on Friday, he recanted part of his previous testimony, telling the commission he did not mislead the police officer.
Five Knox teachers who worked at the school during Dr Paterson's time as headmaster - Adrian John Nisbett, Craig Treloar, Barrie Stewart, Roger James and Damien Vance - were arrested in 2009 and convicted of sex offences against boys at Knox.
Police have issued an arrest warrant for another teacher, Christopher Fotis, after he failed to appear at the commission.
The commission also heard that Fotis, along with Vance and James, were allowed to resign from the school and were given glowing references.
- with Rachel Browne and Melanie Kembrey
SUPPORT NUMBERS:
Adults Surviving Child Abuse 1300 657 380
Survivors and Mates Support Network 02 8355 3711
Bravehearts 1800 272 831
